12:37 29-12-2025

9 cars that got worse as convertibles

Some cars look and drive best in the bodies they were born with. Take the roof away, turn them into convertibles, and the charm can vanish in a heartbeat. Here are striking cases where going open-top clearly did more harm than good.

Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet

This is a textbook example of an idea that dazzled only on paper. A heavy structure packed with reinforcements piled on weight and dulled the handling. It felt hefty and unwieldy even in base form; without a roof it became even less agreeable day to day. And the lingering question refused to go away: why make a crossover convertible at all? The concept proved pointless and, commercially, a flop.

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Convertible

Open off-roaders have long been a favorite among adventure fans, but the four-door take missed the sweet spot. Reduced rigidity and a big weight gain left it cumbersome and laborious to control. The trademark agility and confidence away from paved roads faded, so many owners simply preferred the conventional closed version.

Range Rover Evoque Convertible

Another casualty of turning a popular compact crossover into a premium cabriolet. Reinforced bodywork swelled the mass and clearly hurt performance. The extra kilos blunted acceleration and slowed steering responses. In the process, it sacrificed much of the light, playful character that earlier Evoques were known for.

Volkswagen Beetle Convertible

The classic Beetle had an open variant, but the modern car gained serious reinforcements to compensate for the missing roof. That choice drove up overall weight and dented its road manners. Instead of the expected light touch, owners got a heavy, slightly numb helm. The result: the famed sense of freedom and simplicity faded.

Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible

Its retro style initially won plenty of hearts, yet losing the roof brought a sharp jump in weight and reduced interior space. The convertible grew so bulky and heavy that calling it sporty felt like a stretch. Comfort moved to the background, and with it went the thrill of the drive.

Toyota Celica Convertible

One of the clearest examples of a sporty rear-wheel-drive model that was removed from the lineup for no good reason. It first stood out for excellent handling and lively dynamics. But once the roof was gone, it gained roughly a hundred kilograms, fundamentally changing its behavior on the road. Fans were left disappointed: slower acceleration, dulled agility, and the sporting spirit all but gone.

Chevrolet SSR

The creators tried to merge two opposites—a convertible and a pickup. The result looked odd and wasn’t cheap. Weight crept close to two tons, handling turned unpredictable, and the cargo bed lost useful space. Buyers struggled to justify the price for such an eccentric idea, and the project was wound down quickly.

Nissan 370Z Roadster

This Z-series offshoot was another letdown. Altered bodywork shifted the center of gravity, making the car feel uneasy and less reassuring to drive. Additional metal bracing intended to boost stiffness also sapped acceleration and comfort. Together, those compromises dragged down its popularity.

Infiniti Q60 Convertible

After the Q60 Coupe arrived, the brand released an open-top version. The design remained attractive, but a heavy metal roof immediately undercut performance and passenger comfort. Acceleration suffered, trunk space shrank dramatically, and overall mass climbed. It ended up less competitive than rival offerings.