10 Best Convertibles with a Back Seat

2016 Buick Cascada on the road ・ Photo by General Motors

While owning a 2-seat roadster is the ultimate dream for some folks, having a convertible with a back seat lets you share the joy with the whole family. Every sunny weekend unfurls with the potential for an unforgettable adventure. While the Big Three produced large and luxurious convertibles in days of yore, the jumbo-sized offerings have evaporated and the greatest land yachts of all time are long gone. We can only dream of seeing a classic Cadillac Eldorado, luscious Lincoln Continental, colossal Chrysler or big ol’ Buick convertible again. Alas, many of today’s convertibles with seating for four are saddled with back seats best suited for folks of shorter stature. We’ve included top-up head room, leg room, and shoulder room data for the best comparison. Like an expensive pair of shoes, you should alway try a convertible on for size before you buy...

Ford Mustang Convertible

The Ford Mustang’s historic roots may run all the way back to 1964, but the brand new models are the best of the breed when it comes to performance, comfort, and technology. The California Special (shown above) is one of the coolest to roll off the line. The base Mustang Convertible is equipped with a naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V6 that produces 300 horsepower. It’s EPA rated at 19 city/28 highway MPG with the V6 and 6-speed automatic. While the Mustang convertible’s styling is timeless, the back seat is notoriously tight, providing 35.7 inches of headroom, 30.8 inches of legroom, and a scant 44.7 inches of shoulder room (7.5 inches less than the fastback). The trunk allows for 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space. The 2016 V6 Convertible Mustang’s starting MSRP is $30,415 with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Photo by Ford

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

The 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible is the droptop with a back seat that takes a back seat to no one. With 580 horsepower on tap, the top-of-the-line Camaro takes the cake as the fastest American convertible with seating for four. Not looking to spring for a monster motor beast? The base Camaro convertible is equipped with a 275-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4, and although it’s not brutally fast, like the ZL1, it’s surprisingly peppy and quite fuel efficient, with an EPA rating of 22 city/31 highway MPG when equipped with the 8-speed automatic. The interior is one of Ward's Best, but things get tight aft of the front seats, with the back seat providing 33.4 inches of headroom and 29.9 inches of legroom. The trunk provides a scant 7.3 cubic feet of cargo space. The 2016 2.0-liter turbo Camaro Convertible’s 1LT’s starting MSRP is $33,695 with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Buick Cascada Convertible

While Buick has a long and storied history of large convertibles with back seats and names that end with a vowel, the last convertible they built was the Reatta -- a short-lived 2-seater sold only in 1990 and 1991. Buick’s drop top drought has ended with the introduction of the 2016 Buick Cascada. Powered by a mighty 200-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the Cascada Convertible is EPA rated at 20 city/27 highway MPG. The Cascada’s back seat provides 36.1 inches of headroom, 32.8 inches of legroom, and 45.8 inches of shoulder room, while the trunk provides 9.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the top down and 13.4 cubic feet with the top up. The Cascada’s starting MSRP is $33,065.

Photo by General Motors

FIAT 500c

The FIAT 500C isn’t just one of the smallest convertibles with a back seat, it’s also the most affordable, with a starting MSRP of just $20,395. While the 500c isn’t a traditional convertible, the 4-position retractable soft top provides an open air experience that your friends will crave (as long as they fit). The 500c’s back seat provides 36.8 inches of headroom, 31.7 inches of legroom, and 46.4 inches of shoulder room. The trunk is the 500c’s Achilles heel, with a scant 5.4 cubic feet of cargo space. The FIAT 500c is powered by a 1.4-liter inline 4-cylinder MultiAir engine and is EPA rated at 31 city/40 highway MPG with the 5-speed manual transmission (a 6-speed automatic is optional).

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

MINI Convertible

Not only is the MINI Cooper Convertible one of the smallest convertibles with a back seat available today, it’s an absolute hoot to drive with go-kart handling, an interior that’s straight out of a science fiction movie, and an option list that reaches to the moon and back. The base MINI Cooper Convertible is equipped with a 134-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine EPA rated at a thrifty 27 city/38 highway MPG with the 6-speed manual transmission (a 6-speed automatic is optional). The MINI Cooper Convertible’s back seat provides 39 inches of headroom, 30.9 inches of legroom, and 39.7 inches of shoulder room, while the trunk allows for a mere 7.6 cubic feet of cargo space. The MINI Cooper Convertible’s starting MSRP is $25,950.

Photo by MINI

Jeep Wrangler

There’s simply nothing like the Jeep Wrangler on the market today. Two doors or four, it’s a go anywhere any time ragtop that offers unique 4X4 capabilities along with ample room for your crew and cargo. The Wrangler’s backseat provides 40.3 inches of headroom, 35.6 inches of legroom, and 44.7 inches of shoulder room. There're 12.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat. You’ll find a 285-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 under the hood; EPA rated at 17 city/21 highway MPG with the standard 6-speed manual or optional 5-speed automatic. While fuel economy has never been the Wrangler’s strong suit, an 18.6-gallon fuel tank provides plenty of range when you’re off the beaten path. The Wrangler’s MSRP starts at $23,895.

Photo by Jeep

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

While you won’t be crawling the rocks with it at Moab, the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible is currently the only drop-top 4X4 alternative to the mighty Jeep Wrangler. You’ll want to avoid the toughest trails, of course, but the Evoque’s wading depth of 19.6 inches will allow you to cross small streams with the fam and the 240-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine and 9-speed automatic transmission deliver a solid EPA fuel economy rating of 21 city/28 highway. The back seat provides 38 inches of headroom and 34.1 inches of legroom, while the trunk allows for 8.8 cubic feet of cargo space. All that goodness for a starting MSRP of $41,800? That’s positively splendid! Just when you thought that the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet would be the last convertible crossover with a back seat…

Photo by Jaguar

BMW 640i xDrive Convertible

When it comes to year-round driving dynamics, the all-wheel drive BMW 6-Series just might just be the ultimate convertible with a back seat for 2016. The BMW 640i Convertible has a 315-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that delivers a respectable EPA rating of 20 city/29 highway. The back seat provides 36.5 inches of headroom, 30.5 inches of legroom, and 49.6 inches of shoulder room. The trunk measures 10.6/12.4 cubic feet of cargo space. Want more go power? The M6 convertible’s 4.4-liter V8 pumps out a whopping 560 horsepower while delivering 14 city/20 highway MPG. The 640i convertible has a starting MSRP of $85,100. Can’t spring for the 6? BMW also offers 2- and 4-Series drop tops.

Mercedes-AMG S65 Cabriolet

The Mercedes-AMG S65 Cabriolet is the most breathtakingly powerful entry on our list of convertibles with back seats, with a hand-assembled biturbocharged 6.0-liter V12 engine that pumps out a remarkable 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. The top speed? A mere 186 miles per hour. We won’t bother talking about fuel economy, but the AMG S65 Cabriolet does provide an Eco mode, if you happen to be in the mood. The MSRP (if you have to ask)? A paltry $247,900. You can save a bit by opting for the AMG S63 Cab at $176,400 or the S550 Cab at $131,400. If your budget is more austere, the E-Class Cabriolet offers topless transportation in style for four, with a starting MSRP of just $62,600.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

Rolls-Royce Dawn

They say the Rolls-Royce Dawn is strikingly seductive, and I’m not one to argue. Named “2016 Design of the Year,” by Robb Report and “Luxury Car of the Year” by both the Daily Telegraph and Top Gear Magazine, the Rolls Royce Dawn was dubbed “most luxurious 4-seater super-luxury drophead.” Rolls-Royce ad copy is so delicious, I couldn’t resist the siren’s call. “After the darkness comes Dawn. Its striking silhouette transformed at a touch, its inviting interior opened to the elements – to friends, to the unexpected, to endless possibilities."

Photo by Rolls Royce