We’re well into the summer months now and there might have been one or two occasions where you had just wished you had a car that was much more suited to this weather. Maybe you wanted to go for a nice drive around the countryside, or perhaps head down to the coast. Or maybe you were stuck on the M25 and realised that you would have enjoyed it more with the roof down.
Regardless of what you were doing, you may now be considering investing in a new car that really comes into its own in the summer months. After all, with our summers getting longer and hotter, the typical British summer is not so typical anymore.
But which ones are the best? In this article, we look at the best summer cars, from affordable to a little bit less affordable.
Audi A3 Cabriolet
Perfect for those who have a family and might need to opt for a four-seater rather than a two, the Audi A3 Cabriolet is simple and elegant with a classy interior. If you’re looking for something that looks good in both summer and winter then you can’t really go wrong with the Audi A3. It drives well and comes in two and four-wheel drive so it really is suited to all weather conditions. It also has a pretty reasonable starting price of £27.705 and rises up to £41,655 if you really want to customise it.
MINI Convertible
If you want a car that doesn’t change dramatically when it loses its roof then the MINI convertible is perfect. It’s fun to drive and it looks as stylish as ever. It also doesn’t really alter the looks or the way it drives when it becomes a convertible. The boot is slightly smaller, however, and the MINI is already a bit scarce on the ground when it comes to rear space but that won’t be a problem when you’re cruising down a country lane with the roof down. It’s also really customisable, making it one of the more fun convertibles on the market. It’s affordable too, starting at £19,265 and rising to £28,910.
Fiat 124 Spider
While this is based on the Mazda MX-5, the Fiat 124 Spider has a definitively Italian feel. The leather seats and retro style make it the perfect summer car. It also comes with a good amount of standard equipment. While it’s pricier than the MX-5, it looks the part and you’re guaranteed to have fun while driving it. Prices start at £19,345 and rise to £26,505.
Mazda MX-5
The Mazda MX-5 has cemented itself as an iconic summer car and is perfect for those who want something that is great to drive, looks good and won’t cost the earth. It’s light which makes it great to drive and looks the part. It’s not the most practical car, it’s not even the most practical convertible but those who buy the Mazda MX-5 aren’t expecting lots of boot space, they’re looking for something that will make them look good on the road. Prices start at a very affordable £20,495 and rise to £24,195.
BMW 2 Series Convertible
One of the most enjoyable convertibles to drive, the BMW 2 Series can come with a 3.0-litre twin turbo, but their other engines are just as powerful and efficient. It’s stylish and has a high-quality interior. It also comes in multiple trims including the M Sport trim level. If you want to transport four adults then it might be slightly cramped in the back, but as we said, you aren’t getting a convertible for the ample space.
Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet
If you are looking for a convertible that offers you slightly more boot space, then we recommend the Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet. It offers 260 litres with the roof down and 355 litres with the roof up, making it a better option for those who want to go away for the weekend in their convertible. It has triple-layered fabric making the interior quiet and it looks like a classic Mercedes.
Audi TT Roadster
The Audi TT Roadster is a classic summer car and is extremely popular here in Britain. It has a beautiful interior and great engines to choose from. If you really want to splash out, you can opt for the four-wheel drive, Quattro. It also beats its competitors on efficiency and price, so you can cruise along the English countryside without worrying about how much you are spending on fuel. Prices start at £29,015 and rise to £45,010.
Ford Mustang Convertible
If you want a classic car then you don’t need to look any further than the Ford Mustang. The convertible version of the classic muscle car was only made available in Britain in 2016. It has a reasonably low asking price and has a heritage that is hard to beat. It’s fast, and if you want to really splash out you can go for the V8 engine. It’s quick, powerful and looks the part. It’s the perfect summer car for those that want a bit of a vintage edge. Prices start at £35,500 and rise to £40,000.
Porsche 911 Cabriolet
The latest Porsche 911 Cabriolet is faster and more efficient than ever, thanks to their new turbocharged engines. It’s easy to drive but that doesn’t mean it’s lost its edge. It’s still as thrilling as ever and is everything you could want in a sports car and in a summer car. You can’t really go wrong with a Porsche 911. It will set you back a fair bit though, prices start at £85,253 and rise to £105,975. But then again, it is a Porsche.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster
Described as the ‘cutting edge of design’ by our very own motoring journalist, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster is a sight to behold. It’s beautiful looks teamed with an even bigger engine than before making this the ultimate ‘performance-orientated sports car’. The V8 engine has increased in size to 4.7litres and can reach 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds. It’s well built, has a beautiful interior, and it has a pretty good boot size at 300 litres. Essentially, it’s everything you could possibly ask for and more. Prices start at £95,000 and rise to £165,000. So those are some of our best summer cars. These aren’t the only cars available of course, but they are our top picks. They are from all price ranges so there should be an option there for everyone. Ultimately, though, they look good, drive well and are perfect for cruising the English countryside. You can use our search function below to browse our other summer cars.
