Mobility - Topless through the summer: ten beautiful convertibles for warm days
According to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), only 51,984 Cabrios were registered in Germany in 2023. In the past twenty years, the number of convertible vehicles has more than halved – it was once a six-digit figure. It appears to be a classic chicken-and-egg problem: supply is dwindling, and so is demand – it's not entirely clear who is reacting to whom.
Cabrios: They're Still Around, But Fewer and Fewer
For those looking for a Cabrio now, there's hope. Nearly every German manufacturer still offers vehicles with folding or retractable roofs in their lineup. The most popular Cabrio in Germany, at least in terms of registrations, is the Mini. However, one must currently wait for the new model, as the configurator of the manufacturer is therefore out of order – those who want to buy now must rely on the stock.
Relatively new, and very popular among Germans, is the Mazda MX-5. According to an analysis by the new and used car portal "Carwow," the Japanese model is currently in the Top 10 twice. This is because it is available as a conventional Cabrio (Roadster) and as an RF, which means it has a retractable hard top.
The most popular electric Cabrio currently being built, according to the "Carwow" analysis, comes from Fiat. The Fiat 500 is not only popular as a gasoline engine – or as a sports car – but also with electric power. This comes as no surprise, as it is hardly cheaper in the electric and convertible world. However, one must make sacrifices, which are less significant in cities. It is not, however, a long-distance vehicle.
For an overview of which Cabrios are currently popular and still available as new cars, see the gallery.
Despite the declining popularity of convertible vehicles in Germany, the KBA data shows that many manufacturers continue to produce Cabrios, such as the popular Mini and the Mazda MX-5. Interestingly, the Fiat 500 is the most popular electric Cabrio currently being built, highlighting the shift towards electric vehicles even in the convertible market. Possible buyers looking for a new Cabrio should consider these models while taking into account their respective features and limitations.
