The thrill of open-air motoring, once a staple of summer drives across the UK’s winding country roads and coastal highways, is fast becoming a nostalgic indulgence. According to the 2025 CarGurus Convertibles Report, the nation is witnessing a dramatic downturn in the availability of new convertible models, with just 16 options available from the UK’s top 30 automotive manufacturers — a sharp 48% decline since the turn of the millennium.
In 2000, convertible enthusiasts had their pick of 31 models. By 2005, the body style reached its zenith with 37 offerings, but the tide has turned. The drop has been most severe in recent years: from 29 in 2020 to just 16 in 2025, equating to a 49% decline in five years. Even the past 12 months have seen a sharp 28% dip, highlighting the rapid pace at which the once-iconic soft top is falling out of favour.
A Changing Automotive Landscape
This decline doesn’t exist in isolation. It forms part of a larger industry-wide pivot towards practicality, efficiency, and the SUV boom. “Our latest annual Convertibles Report highlights more than just a drop in new car model selection,” says Chris Knapman, UK Editorial Director at CarGurus. “It reflects a wider shift in the automotive landscape towards SUVs. As evidence of this, note that while the number of new convertibles on sale has fallen by 45% since 2020, the number of new SUVs and crossovers has grown by a staggering 543%.”
As of 2025, only 10 of the UK’s 30 most popular car brands still produce convertibles: BMW, Fiat, Ford, Jeep, Mazda, MG, MINI, Mercedes, Porsche, and Volkswagen. That leaves 68% of major carmakers with no new soft tops in their line-up — a sobering statistic for those who equate driving with feeling the wind in their hair.
Five brands have demonstrated rare consistency by offering convertibles every year for the past quarter century: BMW, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Volkswagen. Yet even these stalwarts are adapting to changing times, with many convertible offerings becoming increasingly niche or performance-focused.
Notably, Audi, once a stronghold of the soft-top sector with models like the A3 Cabriolet, TT Roadster, and R8 Spyder, has exited the convertible market entirely. The R8 Spyder, in production for 16 years, was the last to bow out.
The EV Effect: Soft Tops Go Electric (Sort Of)
In 2025, electrification has only just begun to touch the convertible segment. From the top 30 UK brands, only two convertibles are available as electric vehicles: the MG Cyberster — a striking, performance-led newcomer — and the city-friendly Fiat 500e C. Outside the top 30, the Abarth 500e and Maserati GranCabrio Folgore broaden the picture slightly, but overall, electric convertibles remain more the exception than the rule.
Holding the Line: Icons That Refuse to Disappear
Amid the dwindling numbers, a few nameplates continue to fly the flag for roofless motoring. The Mazda MX-5, an icon since 1990, remains one of the UK’s longest-running and most affordable convertible nameplates. Porsche, a marque synonymous with the format, retains the 911 Cabriolet and Boxster, while BMW’s Z-series, most notably the Z4, keeps the Bavarian brand in the open-air game.
These models stand as reminders of a time when convertibles were not just a choice, but a celebration of driving pleasure — something increasingly hard to come by in an industry racing toward electrification, autonomy, and utility.
The Used Market: Still a Breath of Fresh Air
While new convertibles may be scarce, the used car market is keeping the dream alive. According to CarGurus, there are thousands of used convertible listings on their platform, ranging from budget-friendly drop-tops under £1,000 to exotic performance machines priced well into the six figures.
To help buyers navigate the shrinking but still appealing world of convertibles, CarGurus has published a 2025 guide to the best new and used options:
CarGurus’ Top Picks: Best New and Used Convertibles in 2025
- Fiat 500e C – The Electric Fashionista
- Jaguar XK – The Suave Sophisticate
- Mazda MX-5 – The Affordable Roadster
- Bentley Continental GTC – The Lottery-Win Convertible
- Audi A3 Cabriolet – The Family-Friendly Fuel Saver
- Saab 900 Convertible – The Scandi Style Icon
- Porsche Boxster – The Thoroughbred Sports Car
- Ford Focus CC – The Bargain Basement Drop-Top
- Mercedes-Benz SL – The Rock Star Car
- MINI Convertible – The Fun Urban Cruiser
- Audi R8 Spyder – The Everyday Supercar
- Triumph Spitfire – The Affordable Classic
From modern EVs to vintage charmers, these vehicles prove that open-top motoring isn’t entirely consigned to history. The key, increasingly, is to look beyond the forecourt and into the vast archives of the pre-owned market.
A Niche in Retreat — But Not Forgotten
As the market moves forward, the convertible becomes less a segment and more a statement — a conscious choice for those who value experience over efficiency, and presence over practicality. Whether electric or internal combustion, new or old, convertibles remain a symbol of joy on four wheels.
In an age of increasingly homogenised vehicle design, these cars offer something rare: personality, performance, and a little bit of rebellion. For those who can find them, and afford them, the UK’s shrinking convertible market may still offer a slice of driving freedom worth chasing.
