Convertible SUVs are one of the quirkier vehicle segments, offering the practicality of a regular SUV but with the extra bit of fun that makes them excellent daily-drivers and perfect for a summer road trip. They feature the exclusive option of having their roofs folded or detached. Talk about the perfect combination of ruggedness and style!
This class of vehicles offers their occupants unlimited headroom, open-air driving experience, and elicit admirable stares from others due to their rareness. The rarity of these convertible SUVs alone makes them so desirable to some enthusiasts.
Still, that doesn't mean every SUV can pull off the convertible look, and there have been some examples that looked absolutely ridiculous while trying (we're looking at you Nissan Murano!). If you'd like to see what we mean, here's a rundown of 9 cool SUVs that we think pull off the convertible look perfectly and one we never want to find ourselves in.
10 Badass: Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
The convertible Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is a unique 2-door model with a streamlined body that gives it a sleek appearance. It is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 237 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque and uses a nine-speed automatic gearbox to send power to all four wheels.
With a base price of $52,000, it rolls on 18-inch wheels and features body-colored door cladding. It also features capable halogen headlights, a perforated leather steering wheel, which is manually adjustable for rake and reach, and perforated grained leather seats with optimal heating. It is quite luxurious.
9 Badass: 2017 Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro
The 2017 Audi cross cabriolet Quattro is a two-door four-seater that measures 4.62 meters (just over 15 feet) in length. It combines the genes of a typical dynamic soft-top convertible from Audi with the all-round qualities of a fully-fledged SUV.
This spectacular convertible SUV has a 243 horsepower 3-liter TDI engine, ultra-low emission technology, and a permanent four-wheel-drive system with electric ride height adjustment, making it perfect for rides on all terrains.
8 Badass: 2014 Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is arguably the most popular convertible SUV. It has a compact 2-door model and a mid-size 4-door model known as the Wrangler Unlimited. Each model is equipped with a removable hardtop or soft top, and even removable doors to give its riders the ultimate open-air driving experience.
With a base price of $28,295, the convertible Jeep Wrangler comes with a 3.6-liter V6 and a 2.0-liter variation, which sends 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels.
7 Badass: Land Rover Defender Convertible
The Land Rover Defender convertible is a front-engine four-wheel drive off-road vehicle, designed to withstand any terrain. It comes in two-door and four-door variants, and it also has petrol and diesel engine variations.
This convertible SUV is known for its ruggedness and optimum durability. It offers a hardtop or open pickup model, and it comes in a 5-speed manual transmission that produces as high as 122 horsepower and a torque of 221 pound-feet.
6 Badass: Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet
The T-Roc Cabriolet is a two-door drop-top compact crossover SUV that perfectly blends an SUV’s practicality with the exhilarating drive of a convertible. Its rugged look gives it real presence on the road, and its entire structure, from the side panels to the underbody, is strengthened to give a solid, dependable drive, whether the roof is up or down.
The T-Roc’s entry-level design comes as standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch infotainment system, two-tone climate control, part-leather seat upholstery, adaptive cruise control, and a six-speaker stereo system.
5 Badass: Hummer H1 Open Top
The H1 open top is a four-wheel-drive vehicle based on the M998 Humvee. It was produced from 1992 through to 2006 and was initially designed strictly for military use, but was later released to the general market due to high demand. It is available in a convertible-like soft-top or hardtop Sport Utility Truck.
The H1 Convertible boasts of a 6.6liter V8 engine and can comfortably seat the driver and three other passengers. Without any doubt, the Hummer H1 Tops the list of the most rugged convertible SUVs, well capable of handling any terrain.
4 Badass: Mercedes Maybach G650 Landaulet
Talk about high-end luxury convertible SUVs, and you can be sure to have the Mercedes Maybach G650 top the list. The convertible SUV can best be described as combining the twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 from the G65 AMG with the portal axles from the G500 4×42, topping it off with rear seats from a long-wheelbase Maybach S-class.
This luxury SUV has a standard G-class wheelbase that has been stretched by 23 inches to create the excessive backseat space. The excess space allows the rear seats to lie nearly flat. With all its functions and capabilities, it is undoubtedly the most exclusive form of stylish open-top motoring.
3 Badass: Toyota RAV4 Convertible
The Toyota Rav4 was the first compact crossover SUV available for purchase. Its convertible model was designed to combine SUVs’ benefits like; higher visibility, increased cargo room, and the option of a full-time four-wheel drive, with the maneuverability and fuel economy of a compact car.
It is powered by a four-cylinder engine and offers the choice of front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. It can comfortably fit four people at a time and is one of the excellent compact SUVs one can get.
2 Badass: Hyundai Santa Fe Cabriolet
The Hyundai Santa Fe Cabriolet is the world's first four-door SUV that offers up to a seven-person seating capacity. It is powered by a 2.2liter four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that produces 197 horsepower and a hearty 325 pound-feet of torque, sipping just 15.8 liters of fuel per 100km.
This SUV cabriolet sends torque to all four wheels, thanks to its clever H-Trac AWD system and an eight-speed auto gearbox. It comes with a standard car’s features, including window blinds, an eight-inch infotainment system, and a heads-up display. It also features a heated steering wheel and thermo controlled seats.
1 We Won't Be Caught Dead In: Suzuki Cutesy X-90
The Suzuki X-90 is a front-engine, rear or four-wheel drive, two-door two-seater SUV manufactured between 1995 and 1997. The car has become something of a go-to car for lists of weird vehicles and has been known to appear regularly on 'worst cars' list.
Taking a critical look at the X-90, it appears to have a confusing design, not being convincing enough as a convertible or a cabriolet because of its T-section roof with fixed rear pillar. It is a convertible SUV that anyone with a desire to have a great convertible SUV driving experience will want to avoid.
