Practicality and versatility are often secondary concerns when purchasing a convertible. These cars are typically acquired for their stylish designs and luxury appointments. That’s still true of the cars on this list, but the addition of all-wheel drive also makes them suitable for use in a wider variety of conditions. In winter, you can head out with the assurance of added grip, while the ability to lower the roof is a joy during the summer months. These are the best AWD convertibles you can buy for the 2025 model year.

Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here. These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available; models without BuzzScores have not yet been fully tested by our team.

Characteristics Of AWD Convertibles

There are a lot of different types of drop-tops out there. Some are built purely for laidback driving, while others have sportier inclinations. Similarly, luxury and comfort may take a back seat at times. All offer open-top driving, but what other similarities should you expect?

• Style: By design, these are sensuous cars, with lines that are only accentuated further when the top is down. The interior is generally quite well-appointed, with between two and four seats available. Those with the latter are usually quite cramped in the rear, though larger models do supply enough space for larger passengers.
• Performance: Often based on popular sedans or coupes, many convertibles come with a powerful engine that should make them pretty fast. However, replacing a solid hardtop with a retractable roof does have an impact on aerodynamics, and this is exacerbated when the roof is down. Having AWD instead of rear- or front-wheel drive helps to improve handling if you enjoy driving a little harder, but very few models have a manual transmission, so engagement is not always the best.
• Price: Most convertibles with AWD are produced by premium brands, so you can expect the price tag to reflect as much. When you add the low mpg figures because of all the extra weight convertibles suffer from, the total cost of ownership is quite high. This is true even of cheaper models.

What To Consider When Buying All-Wheel-Drive Convertible Models

Anyone that owns a convertible car will certainly tell you all about the benefits, though they may forget the downsides in their excitement. So, here we list some of the obvious advantages and disadvantages of AWD convertibles:

Pros

• Stylish design
• Drop-top driving is ideal for summer months
• Added grip and security of AWD
• Most models in this segment offer impressive performance
• Many feature all-weather comforts such as neck warmers

Cons

• Most AWD convertibles are expensive
• Structural integrity is compromised, sometimes hindering handling dynamics
• Most convertibles lack generous rear passenger and trunk space
• Poorer gas mileage of AWD

Are there any AWD cabriolets available with a manual transmission?

Manual transmissions are quite rare in this day and age, and among convertibles with all-wheel drive, they are non-existent.

Are AWD convertibles less economical on fuel?

All-wheel-drive convertibles do often return lower mpg figures than their FWD and RWD counterparts because of the extra weight that AWD adds to the vehicle. Their poorer aerodynamics when driving with the top down also impact fuel economy.