Convertible Successes And Failures
Walk through a classic car show and you'll see convertibles that make you go "wow", followed by ones that make you wonder what the manufacturers were thinking. Some cars lose all their character when you remove the roof. Then there are cars where adding a convertible option revealed the perfect form. Here are models that should've never gone roofless and ones that absolutely needed the convertible treatment. Let's start with the disasters.
1. Hummer H2 Convertible
Turning a Hummer H2 into a convertible was like trying to make a tank graceful. The 6.0-liter V8 delivered 316 horsepower and an unstoppable force, yet chopping off the roof only amplified wind noise. With 10 mpg efficiency, it looked more impractical than adventurous.
Convertible~White/Sedona~VERY RARE~Only 3,636 Miles~ by WeBe Autos Ltd.
2. Pontiac Sunfire Convertible
Affordable and cheerful, the Pontiac Sunfire Convertible captured a certain era of carefree driving. However, its loose steering and basic build limited its appeal. The power soft top felt more like a gimmick than a luxury, and time hasn’t been kind to its dated design.
3. Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
The Murano CrossCabriolet remains one of automotive history’s strangest creations. As the first all-wheel-drive crossover convertible, it promised something new but delivered confusion. Its high stance and odd proportions gave it a mismatched personality that drivers didn’t quite understand.
4. Chevrolet SSR
Chevrolet’s SSR blended pickup utility with roadster style, yet the result puzzled buyers. The retractable hardtop and retro body drew attention, though its weight dulled performance. Despite the 6.0-liter V8’s 390 horsepower, it never fully lived up to its bold design.
Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand on Wikimedia
5. Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible
The PT Cruiser Convertible aimed for retro charm and ended up awkward instead. Introduced in 2005, it lost the practicality of its hatchback sibling while keeping the quirky shape. Even with room for four, its styling felt confused, trapped between nostalgia and novelty.
6. Volkswagen Beetle Convertible (Modern Gen)
The modern Beetle Convertible carried charm, yet its bulkier body lacked the lighthearted feel of earlier models. Though its soft top lowered in seconds, the spirit of the classic Bug felt watered down. Nostalgia sold it, though purists preferred the hardtop heritage.
7. Suzuki X-90 Convertible
Few cars turned heads for stranger reasons than the Suzuki X-90. With T-top panels and a 1.6-liter engine, it was part SUV, part coupe, and entirely confusing. The tiny body and two-seat layout also left people wondering who it was built for.
8. Smart Fortwo Cabriolet
In city traffic, the Smart Fortwo Cabriolet worked wonders. Once the roof dropped, its charm wore thin. The open-air setup exaggerated road noise, and at highway speeds, it felt toy-like rather than carefree. Even parking perks couldn’t fully save its convertible attempt.
9. Cadillac Allanté
Cadillac dreamed big with the Allanté, flying Italian-made bodies to Detroit for assembly. Its artistry was elegant, but the car itself struggled to connect. The mix of luxury and sporty aspirations never blended smoothly and left the convertible feeling more like an imported experiment than an icon.
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA on Wikimedia
10. Lexus SC430
Lexus crafted the SC430 with yacht-inspired curves and a 4.3-liter V8, yet the car felt more grand tourer than sporty convertible. Its weight and soft handling clashed with its sleek looks. Drivers found it plush but uninvolving, a cruiser without spark.
Now that we’ve seen the drop-tops that never deserved sunlight, let’s cruise into the ones that actually earned their convertible moment.
1. Toyota Supra (A90)
After years of anticipation, the A90 Supra stormed back in 2019 and marked Toyota’s first Supra since 2002. Built on a shared platform with BMW’s Z4, it still carved its own personality. Its FT-1-inspired curves and a rare targa-top tribute also stirred deep nostalgia.
2. Nissan GT-R (R35)
When the R35 GT-R launched in 2007, it instantly reset performance expectations. Every twin-turbo V6 engine was hand-built by Takumi masters, signed with pride. Nicknamed “Godzilla”, it dominated tracks and highways to earn global respect as a technological and mechanical powerhouse.
Jeremy from Sydney, Australia on Wikimedia
3. Dodge Challenger Hellcat
The Hellcat arrived roaring in 2015, powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8. Its 707 horsepower redefined American muscle for a new generation. The red key unlocked its full fury, while its fierce cat emblem became a symbol of raw, unapologetic strength.
4. Honda NSX (Second Generation)
When the NSX returned, it felt like a reunion between past and future. A twin-turbo V6 worked in sync with electric motors, balancing brute force and finesse. The mix of carbon fiber and aluminum captured the precision that defined Acura’s new performance era.
5. Audi RS6 Avant
Audi’s RS6 Avant made practicality feel thrilling. The twin-turbo V8 pushed wagon stereotypes aside with sub-four-second acceleration. Developed by Audi Sport GmbH, this family hauler felt more like a supercar in disguise—capable of carrying groceries and crushing lap times on the same day.
6. Mazda RX-7 (FD)
The RX-7 FD remains a purist’s dream. Its sequential twin-turbo rotary engine defined the 1990s tuner era with unmatched smoothness. Pop-up headlights framed its elegant body, and its star turn in The Fast and the Furious cemented its legend among car culture icons.
7. Porsche Panamera
Introduced in 2009, the Panamera balanced comfort and performance through its sleek four-door form. From V6 to plug-in hybrid powertrains, this car catered to every kind of enthusiast. Named after the Carrera Panamericana race, its retractable spoiler hinted that luxury could move at racing pace.
8. Tesla Model S Plaid
Tesla’s 2021 Model S Plaid wasn’t just fast—it was outrageous. With three motors and a Spaceballs-inspired “Plaid” mode, it blurred the lines between sedan and supercar. Inside, a yoke steering wheel and gaming console touchscreen turned every drive into a futuristic thrill ride.
9. Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe
The AMG GT 4-Door merged race engineering with grand touring grace. Introduced in 2018, its hand-built V8 thundered through an adaptive exhaust while the active rear spoiler adjusted for speed. A Supersport dashboard theme gave every cockpit a track-inspired glow.
10. Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Since 2015, the Giulia Quadrifoglio has embodied Italian passion in sedan form. Its Ferrari-derived V6 sang at high revs, while the four-leaf clover badge honored Alfa’s racing luck. Cylinder deactivation technology tamed its fury and combined artistry with precision.
