The 10 Best Convertible Cars in Australia

We’ve all had that dream before of owning a convertible. Hitting the open road, with the soft top down, the music loud, and not a care in the world. We’ve seen the characters in movies and driven past the luxury Mercedes-Benz in the street - now it’s time to seize the moment and get a convertible of your own! 

We’ll take a look at the best convertible cars on sale in Australia right now that are guaranteed to turn heads and give you an exceptional driving experience. So, let’s drop that fabric roof, put the pedal to the metal and feel the wind in our hair as we power through the 10 best convertible cars drivers in Australia are loving right now! 

Pros

• Nimble handling and strong acceleration.
• Smooth and enjoyable driving experience.
• The convertible top is effortless to operate and quick to open.

Cons

• Lacks modern features - infotainment system is outdated.
• Little storage in the interior.

Mazda is a well-known car maker when it comes to convertibles and sports cars. This is one of their best models, offering a fun and easy convertible. The open two-seater is a fast and agile vehicle coming in at a reasonable price for what you’re getting. Not only does it drive like a champion, but it also looks like one. Mazda’s made their MX-5 look as good as it sounds and moves. Other great features include rear-wheel drive, a powerful engine, manual transmission, and more! 

The Mazda MX-5 is a comfortable, practical, and enjoyable convertible ready to take you everywhere in style - just drop the soft top and feel the wind in your hair!  

Pros

• Comfortable seats.
• No buyer is left out with a wide selection of Mustangs to choose from. 
• It can either be a convertible or a coupe.

Cons

• The backseat is small.
• Poor fuel efficiency. 

No list of convertibles is complete without a mention of the Ford Mustang. These are part of a legacy. Mustangs have existed since the 60s, and the continued existence of the Mustang proves its appeal. While this is a new and improved iteration, the formula from the Mustang heyday is still alive and well. This is for drivers who want to drive fast. It’s by no means the most practical everyday vehicle, but they never claimed it was anyway. This model is a 2-door four-seater with 6-trim levels, a 2.3L I4 Turbo engine and Rear Wheel Drive.

Want speed and style? Then you want a Mustang.

Pros

• Cooled seats.
• Powerful engines.
• Updated stylish design.

Cons

• Rear passenger compartment is very tight. 
• Lacking climate control knobs and buttons.

The updated Mercedes AMG SL offers rear seats and has become a convertible, opening up countless drivers to a new incredible experience on the road. This model from Mercedes is a four-seater, even if the back seat doesn’t provide ample space. Additionally, there are 2 trim levels: a 4.0L V8 Twin-Turbo engine and an all-wheel-drive. This is a model with a long legacy. Seeing it become a convertible is exciting as it opens up a great car to an even better driving experience. This model drives beautifully, but can also handle rugged terrain with some tenacity. 

Overall, the AMG SL by Mercedes is a model that’s seen a lot of love and, as a result, has been given nothing but the best.

Pros

• Fuel efficient.
• Autonomous features. 
• Tons of interior options to ensure it’s exactly the kind of car you want to drive.

Cons

• Petrol guzzler. 
• Could use more cargo space.

The BMW 220i is a mid-range convertible offering from the famous car maker. This car is compact; however, despite its size, it offers a unique experience. Inside the small frame are a ton of features to entice and excite drivers. The exterior features LED headlights, rear lights, and light alloy wheel choices. The engine is a 2.0l four-cylinder turbo petrol engine combined with a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission. Speed and style are the aims of the 220i. 

You get a lot of choices when it comes to the 220i’s interior. You can have upholstery, leather, and a choice of colours. Combined with all the other additional features, this is a car you don’t want to overlook. 

Pros

• That typical tasteful interior and premium quality materials Audi is known for in their cars.
• Strong overall performance and fun driving experience at a great starting price.
• Can have it in a convertible, hatchback, or coupe. 

Cons

• The backseat isn’t massive, as most of the space is given to the front.
• The convertible (and coupe option) have limited boot space.

The Audi A5 convertible is refined and profoundly understated. Audi has managed to blend technology, performance, and comfort in a stunning way which Audi is known for with their vehicles. This four-seater offers three trim levels, a fantastic dash display and a 2.0L I4 Turbo engine. While luxurious, it’s not at the sacrifice of performance. The driving experience is powerful yet enjoyable. You’ll never feel out of your depth while behind the wheel of the Audi A5.

If you’re ready to coast the highways and around town in style, the Audi A5 is ready to be your companion on the road. 

Pros

• Affordable convertible option.
• Economical.
• Leather seats and tinted windows option.

Cons

• Not the most impressive option on the list. 

If you’re not looking to break the bank and just want the feeling of owning a convertible without the bells and whistles, the Fiat 500C is for you. This isn’t as impressive as some of the other options, but it’s still good enough that you won’t be disappointed. The 500C is an economical convertible with a 1.2l 4-cylinder petrol engine - newer models come with a powerful electric engine. It can achieve moderate speeds and is extremely fuel efficient for a convertible. Additional features include autonomous safety features like LED running lights. 

Overall, it’s not the most impressive model, but it’s still a good car worth considering if you want a convertible.

Pros

• Powerful and smooth engines.
• Quiet interior with a top-up.
• A fun driving experience.

Cons

• No all-wheel-drive option.
• No manual transmission.

BMW brings you sports-car performance, comfort, and a fun driving experience with its Z4 model. The Z4 is an exceptional convertible that’s refined, sophisticated, agile, and quick. The two-seater offers 2 trim levels, a 3.0L I6 Turbo engine and rear-wheel drive. This is BMW’s least expensive and smallest model, but it packs a powerful and stylish punch. It’s not as sporty as other BMW models. Still, the convertible experience is precisely what anyone wanting a convertible would be satisfied with on the road.

Pros

• Performance and style are as iconic as ever.
• An expansive lineup of styles and engines.
• The driving experience is phenomenal.

Cons

• Storage space on the interior isn’t great. 

Porsche looks to satisfy anyone's need for speed and convertible fun with their 911 model. Compared to other high-end luxury convertibles, the Porsche 911 is not priced badly at all! This four-seater convertible offers 13 trim levels, a 3.0L H6 Twin-Turbo engine, and rear-wheel drive. That’s the performance, but let’s talk about the iconic style and design that Porsche always delivers. This model has been in existence since the 60s, and with each iteration, style, comfort, and features have only been refined and improved. This has ensured a legendary driving experience. 

Overall, this is a car worth checking out if you’re not thinking in terms of a lower budget. It’s stylish, drives like a champion, and is a luxurious experience without the extremely high price tag. 

Pros

• Standard all-wheel drive.
• A well-appointed interior.
• Iconic Audi design.

Cons

• Lacking manual transmission.
• Older model in comparison to others on the market.

Another Audi convertible worth checking out is their iconic TT model. It’s not the best Audi model on the market, but it’s far from being unworthy of your attention. The Audi TT blends numerous features to ensure sports car and convertible fans engage in its experience. You’ve got the signature Audi interior which is always world-class and made with quality materials. The engine is a 2.0L I4 Turbo, so you’ll be able to achieve the kind of speed to satisfy your needs.

Overall this isn’t the best of the Audi convertibles, but it’s still one of their most iconic offerings. It still provides a great experience, even if it might not match some other entries on our list.

Pros

• Stylish design.
• A great manual gearbox.
• Fuel efficient.

Cons

• The suspensions are extremely firm, which can jerk the car at odd moments.

Another Fiat option to consider is the Abarth 595 Competizione. This is a great model from Fiat offering a small vehicle with a 1.4l turbo petrol engine. You’ve got the option of manual or automatic transmission in this car designed for urban driving. Like the 500C, it’s fuel efficient. The exterior, while the interior, can be customised. You can get leather or upholstery seats, powered or manual windows, sports pedals, a driver's seat with height adjustment, and more.

Overall this isn’t a bad vehicle to choose as your convertible of choice. It’s reasonably priced and offers enough to keep you satisfied.

Ready to power up your driving experience?

Convinced yet? Of course, you are! You didn’t come here to get convinced. You are here to see what options are out there for the picking. With so many great vehicles on offer, you’re now faced with a worse problem: which one is your new vehicle?

While you’re figuring out which one you want to take home, you need to consider how you’ll pay for a convertible. Lucky for you, Driva is here to help! Yes, we offer some of the best car financing options in Australia. We are ready to get you behind the wheel of a convertible. Check out our car finance calculator to prepare you, start the loan process, and let’s get you on the road in style.

Learn more: The Best Small Cars Money Can Buy in Australia

Are convertible cars safe?

This is a common concern for any potential convertible buyer when deciding to purchase one. The answer is yes; most convertibles are surprisingly safe. While they offer fun, sleek, and exhilarating driving experiences, the producers of these vehicles have gone to extreme lengths to ensure they’re safe to drive. Now, this doesn’t mean accidents and fatalities aren’t possible. Instead, it’s circumstantial, and how these accidents or fatalities happen should be factored into the equation. 

Are the best convertibles more expensive?

Typically convertible cars are more expensive. This is in comparison to average hard-top vehicles. There are hard-top vehicle options that could easily exceed the price of a convertible. On average, however, the best convertibles are more expensive than their hard-top car counterparts. This has nothing to do with demand but instead with the additional safety features, engine, and other parts needed to create a convertible. 

Which is the cheapest convertible car?

As it stands, the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata is the cheapest convertible on the market. Considering it’s the cheapest, it’s important to remember that it offers a legendary experience regardless of the low price point. The MX-5 Miata can easily match up to some of the more expensive options we’ve mentioned. It’s a stylish, powerful, and fun car to experience and enjoy, all while offering practical everyday use. 

Do convertible cars cost more to insure?

It’s entirely possible. Overall it depends on the insurer. However, insurers are likely to compare and assess what damage a convertible car could achieve versus a hard-top vehicle and charge more to insure for physical damage as a result. This is a conversation you’d need to have with your insurance provider or shop around for the best deal while keeping the coverage in mind.