The Best 4-Seater Convertibles to Enjoy with Your Family
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Owning a sporty convertible can be a lot of fun on the weekends but most drop-top offerings tend to forego rear seats as the focus is all on the looks and the performance. Practicality is best left to the staid saloons in the range.
But what about the family man who can’t justify keeping his Lotus Elise or Porsche Boxster? Well for this scenario the 4-seater convertible can be just what the automotive doctor ordered.
To help out these desperate family men, we have gathered together a selection of 4-seater convertibles that have space for the whole family while still offering wind-in-the-hair motoring fun.
MINI Convertible
The new MINI may be a fair bit larger than the Alec Issigonis original but tell that to the passengers in the rear at your peril.
Compared to modern cars the MINI is still a tiny little thing and best suited for short blasts, you will need to get the turbocharged one if you are in a hurry though.
Find a MINI Convertible on AutoTrader
Fiat 500c
That Mini Convertible looking a bit lardy to you? Well then, a Fiat 500c may well be just the thing you have been looking for.
The fabric roof concertinas back electronically leaving the window frames in place so it is not a true convertible but it still provides motoring fun for the whole family.
That is as long as the ones in the rear don’t mind a bit of a squeeze.
Find a Fiat 500c on AutoTrader
Citroen DS3 Cabrio
Citroen’s youthful DS division offers a range of fun and sporty cars that inject a dash of excitement into their products.
The DS3 Cabrio is similar to the Fiat 500c in that its window frames remain in place when the roof goes down, it does however offer a 210bhp performance version which gets to 60mph in just 6.5 seconds.
Find a Citroen DS3 Cabrio on AutoTrader
Volkswagen Eos
The Eos was a unique offering in VWs otherwise straight-laced range.
It ceased production in 2015 but its unique looks and reliable underpinnings can make for a great budget family convertible with a dash of style.
Find a VW Eos on AutoTrader
Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet
With the Golf Cabriolet and Eos having ceased production, the only small VW convertible with space for four that you can buy new is the Beetle Cabriolet.
Its design may not be for everyone but it offers a great range of engines and is more practical than most of its competitors too.
Find a VW Beetle Cabriolet on AutoTrader
Range Rover Evoque Convertible
The Evoque is a striking car already, the addition of a convertible version to the range really makes it a showstopper.
Too much attention? Just raise the fabric roof in 18 seconds and you can cruise along in privacy.
The 178bhp diesel powerplant is perky enough but you may want the faster 238bhp petrol engine in this application.
Find a Range Rover Evoque Convertible on AutoTrader
Audi A3 Cabrio
Practicality, reliability and a good dealer network are generally not the primary considerations when it comes to buying that aspirational convertible vehicle.
The Audi A3 however manages to combine these straight-laced traits with some great drivetrains, gorgeous looks and quick shifting gearboxes to offer you a car that will satisfy both the head and heart.
Find an Audi A3 Cabriolet on AutoTrader
Audi RS4 Convertible
The RS4 has always offered strong competition in its segment but the B7 RS4, the one with the 414bhp naturally aspirated 4.2l V8 is a car that people still remember for its sonorous exhaust note and sure-footed handling.
There have been faster Audis since but few have matched this one for sheer enjoyment, perfect for a sunny weekend trip, good ones start from £ 15,000.
Find an Audi RS4 Convertible on AutoTrader
BMW 4-Series Convertible
The latest 4-series convertible retains its metal folding roof of its forebear and adds simply stunning looks into the mix.
A range of engines and transmission choices mean that you can have anything from a fuel-sipping 190bhp 2-litre diesel to a rip-roaring 326bhp 3litre turbocharged petrol engine under the bonnet.
Find a BMW 4-Series Convertible on AutoTrader
BMW M4 Convertible
The 4-Series may be a fantastic car but if you just have to go sideways out of every roundabout then only the 450bhp M4 Convertible will satisfy your needs.
It provides the kind of in-gear acceleration that will leave your passengers gasping for air, good thing the metal roof opens in just 20 seconds then.
Find a BMW M4 Convertible on AutoTrader
Ford Mustang Convertible
The Mustang is finally available on our shores, it now features ‘proper’ suspension, has the steering wheel on the correct side and can even be had with a fuel sipping EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine.
To get the proper Mustang experience we would opt for the rumbling 5.0l V8 though, you won’t regret the extra expense especially with the top down.
Find a Ford Mustang Convertible on AutoTrader
Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet
The SL and S-Class convertible are great touring cars but for something a bit more agile and with space for four, take a look at the very competent C-Class convertibles too.
The latest versions are stunning to look at and as usual they can be specced to the hilt with tech if you like.
Find a Mercedes C-Class Convertible on AutoTrader
Porsche 911 Convertible
The evergreen sportscar for the family man with (young) kids is even more usable today thanks to its dimensions having slowly increased with each successive generation.
You can opt from the merely rapid 370bhp Carrera right up to the ballistic 580bhp Turbo S depending on how quickly you want to scare your family into silence.
Find a Porsche 911 Convertible on AutoTrader
Maserati GranCabrio
There are many reasons why the GranCabrio is a great choice as the family drop-top.
We could mention the performance, handling and even the very generously sized rear seats.
But let’s cut to the chase, the real reason you will be itching to get out on the road in this car is to hear that amazing exhaust note just one more time.
Find a Maserati GranCabrio on AutoTrader
Ferrari Mondial
The Mondial may be the runt of the Ferrari stable but underneath those divisive looks is the running gear from the excellent 328, stick to the post-82 quattrovalvole cars which perform better than the early cars without the complexity of the latter models.
The Mondial also lays claim to being the only 4-seater, mid-engined convertible every made.
Pair that with pricing that is still on the right side of ludicrous and it all makes a lot more sense.
Find a Ferrari Mondial on AutoTrader
Ferrari California
The Ferrari California has generally been regarded as the poor relation in the Ferrari family, it was never quite as sharp to drive as its sportier siblings.
While not a deal breaker for most of its target market, the latest California T addresses these shortcomings with a sharper chassis and even more power.
Find a Ferrari California on AutoTrader
Bentley Continental GTC
The latest Continental GTC is a beguiling mix of luxury and sportiness in a way few other rivals can emulate.
The new 528bhp V8 S models are excellent but for ultimate bragging rights you may need the 600bhp W12 GTC Speed.
Find a Bentley Continental GTC on AutoTrader
Rolls-Royce Dawn
The Dawn convertible sits atop the automotive pecking order providing crushing performance from its silky smooth V12, while cosseting its occupants in supreme luxury.
The almost limitless levels of personalisation available makes each car unique, it also means that the final cost will be a fair deal more than the already eye-watering £ 265,000 base price.
Find a Rolls-Royce Dawn on AutoTrader
SAAB 9-3 Convertible
Not all 4-seater convertibles need to cost as much as a house, some like the SAAB 9-3 can be found from as little as £ 1,500.
For an occasional weekend toy that has space to fit your family and their luggage it is just the thing, there is even a turbocharged 280bhp 2.8L V6 available if you are prepared to spend closer to £ 10,000.
Find a Saab 9-3 Convertible on AutoTrader
Volvo C70 Convertible
Another Swedish entrant, the first generation C70 convertible proved to be an accomplished competitor in its day.
Great engines and a good looking design mean that it is still a good choice for the cash strapped buyer today. A mere £ 800 is all you need to have one slowly leaking its fluids down your driveway, spend £ 2,000 however and you could get a real cracker.
Find a Volvo C70 Convertible on AutoTrader