Convertible SUVs are an automotive segment that is more peculiar than others and totally unexpected. Most people buy SUVs for their tough build quality, to go off roading and to make use of all that extra ground clearance. Convertible SUVs are more of making a lifestyle statement. To enjoy the Sun and wind when cruising around.
Convertible SUVs offer the same kind of practicality found in regular SUVs with that added excitement and design flair. However, they still make really good daily drivers.
Many of the convertible SUVs out there offer the option of a having their roofs detached when not needed, giving you a roof when required and offering that element of style when you need to go roofless.
If you are looking for the coolest convertible SUVs in 2022, the following list will provide you with the most quirky and stylish models available.
The best part about having a roofless SUV is the ample head room it gives occupants. The fun of an open-air driving experience is like none other, and being a rare type of vehicle, it is sure to make you the talk of town.
Convertible SUVs are also a rare breed that not all manufacturers produce in large numbers. This fact makes them highly desirable to automotive aficionados.
The Most Incredible Convertible Suvs in 2022
Not all SUVs can make for good convertible vehicles. There are some convertible SUVs that just don’t blend well with the overall styling and end up looking very awkward. A convertible SUV is not just taking off the roof and adding a hard / soft top when the situation calls for it.
The following is a list of the most incredible convertible SUVs you can find. Have a look and decide for yourself which one suits your lifestyle the best.
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Jeep Wrangler
One of the most recognizable SUVs on the roads, and the one that started the whole utility vehicle segment, the Jeep Wrangler is a tough and rugged SUV that gets an added bit of flair without its roof.
The Jeep Wrangler comes in two configurations, 2 door compact and 4 door extended version known as the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. The Wrangler comes with a removable hard or soft top, and even the door can be removed to give the occupants the ultimate open-air experience.
There are a number of engine options available, like the 3-liter diesel, 2-liter turbo petrol or the 3.6-liter V6 petrol. No matter which engine option you choose, it comes mated to the iconic four-wheel drive system.
Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet
This interesting vehicle comes as a 2-door compact convertible SUV that blends the versatility of an SUV, with the lifestyle statement of a convertible, making for a fun driving experience.
This is definitely a unique looking vehicle, that was built with toughness in mind. The side panels and body are strengthened to give it a sturdy driving experience with or without the top down.
17-inch alloy wheels give the T-Roc a tall stance and oodles of ground clearance, hallmarks of a great SUV. The interior is complete with an infotainment system, climate control, leather seat upholstery and cruise control with a high-end stereo system.
Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro
A coupe SUV convertible with the signature Audi Quattro four-wheel drive system, the Cross-cabriolet Quattro is a dynamic and very capable soft top convertible that has SUV imprinted in its DNA.
The SUV measures 4.62 metres in length, and is a two door that can seat 4 passengers including the driver.
The engine is a magnificent 243 bhp 3-litre diesel engine that features new age low emission technology. The permanent four-wheel drive Quattro system gives this stunning SUV a go anywhere attitude and to add to it, it comes with fully adjustable ride height for those tricky terrains. A true-blue luxury SUV that is out to make a style statement.
Land Rover Defender Convertible
Another iconic SUV that has gone the convertible way, this extremely popular SUV was built to take on the most demanding terrain with ease. Like the Jeep Wrangler from across the pond, the Land Rover comes in 2 door or 4 door variants with petrol or diesel engine options.
The Land Rover is truly one of the most iconic SUVs in the world, and making it a convertible only increases its desirability in the eyes of automotive enthusiasts.
There is no other vehicle that has such a long heritage of ruggedness and durability. The Land Rover comes in soft and hard top versions, with a 5-speed manual transmission that powers all four wheels.
Range Rover Evoque
The ultra luxurious SUV from Range Rover looks stunning in its 2-door configuration with a convertible roof, adding to its sleek and macho design.
It packs a massive 237 bhp 2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine that is turbocharged. The engine is mated to a nine speed automatic transmission that powers all four wheels to give the SUV a phenomenal driving experience.
The SUV gets 18-inch alloy wheels and halogen headlights, leather seats and a heated steering wheel for chilly drives. While this SUV is not inexpensive, it is certainly one of the most luxurious convertibles.
Mercedes Maybach G650 Landaulet
The Mercedes Maybach G Series 650 is a luxurious, high end SUV that gets the convertible treatment to its gorgeous body. It gets a twin-turbocharged 6-litre V12 that is borrowed from the G65 AMG and platform from the G500 4×4, and rear seats from the long wheelbase Maybach S-class.
The regular G-class chassis is stretched by 23 inches to create ample space at the rear that gives the rear seat passenger an open-air experience.
This vehicle is the most luxurious convertible SUV one can buy, and the most exclusive open top convertible in the world.
Open Top Hummer H1
The Hummer H1, based on the military version Humvee is one of the most rugged and durable SUVs to be made, partly because it was designed to be indestructible on the front lines during war time. This particular version is an open top that was produced from 1992 to 2006.
The vehicle was first released solely for military use, but then high demand in the civilian market led to the convertible SUV being offered to individual customers. It comes in 2 versions, a soft top or a hardtop convertible.
The Hummer comes with a 6.6 turbo diesel V8 engine with seating space for four including the driver. The SUV can attack any terrain you throw at it and is one of the most capable open top convertibles off road. Macho is its middle name.
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Hyundai Santa Fe Cabriolet
This unique seven-seater SUV cabriolet with a convertible top comes with 4 doors and 3 rows of seats. The engine under the hood is a 2.2-liter, turbocharged petrol, 4 cylinder that produces 197 bhp and 325 lbs. ft of torque. Yet the SUV offers amazing mileage and can be used as a daily driver in the city.
The Santa Fe Cabriolet is an AWD vehicle powered by Hyundai’s H-Trac system mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It comes with most of the features a modern car comes with like a heated steering wheel, and ventilated seats to keep the occupant cosy and comfortable.
Hummer EV SUV
Although when initially shown to the public, the pickup truck version was on display, its versatile body framework can incorporate a number of configurations, including open top convertible.
This massive SUV will hit showrooms in 2024 with a shorter wheelbase for off roading and open top driving.
The roof is a removable piece that can neatly be stowed away in the storage space under the hood (this being an EV does not have an engine up in front, just battery packs underneath the frame).
Electric motors power this SUV and it has a battery capacity of 200 kWh. Four wheel drive is standard and horsepower is in the range of 600 – 800 bhp depending on the model.
Why Buy a Convertible Suv?
A large number of vehicles on our road today are SUVs. It is just a matter of time before a convertible SUV was produced to cater to the quirky crowds who would like to go surfing on a Sunday.
Not all automotive manufacturers produce convertible SUVs, they do have their own niche segment where they are in demand. The convertible SUV fits in with the wild and free lifestyle of millennials and teenagers wanting the wind blowing through their hair with the roof down.
The fact is many convertible SUVs find their way as daily driver among those who like to drive something totally different, and it does turn some heads along the way for sure.
An SUV without a top is no longer an odd site, it shows that the driver likes something unique and off the wall.
Convertible SUVs actually found use during WWII, when Willys MB Jeeps, with their all-wheel drive and drop top allowed soldiers to stick their guns out of the vehicle when moving. Fast forward to today, and a drop top SUV is more of a fashion statement than anything else.
Since 2019, manufacturers have been making these kinds of vehicles to cater to the style quotient, and well into 2022, these SUVs are much sought after for those with adventure in their veins. The only disadvantage of drop top SUVs is that they have less space when compared to their fixed roof siblings.
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Which Convertible Suv to Buy?
Among the list of SUVs, the most popular are the Jeep, Land Rover and Range Rover. These vehicles have proven themselves as the best SUVs, roof or no roof. And of course, the Jeep is the most successful SUV of all time, having started the whole four-wheel drive concept in the first place.
A convertible SUV is expensive to buy, but if you really want one and are willing to spend the extra buck, then the price is surely worth it.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Convertible Suv
When purchasing a convertible SUV, you can keep the following in mind because even the best of cars come with their downsides.
Advantages
· Open air driving experience
· One-of-a-kind vehicles
· Not many out there on the roads
Disadvantages
· Quite expensive when compared to their roofed siblings
· A noisy engine can be a bother
· Not the safest vehicle to drive
The Jeep Wrangler and the Wrangler Unlimited (2 door and 4 door versions) are the most popular SUVs with a removable roof in the US market.
Taking top spot for the Jeep Wrangler is no big deal because it has been an American favourite right from the word go.
For those looking for that extra luxurious touch and refined lifestyle would like the Range Rover Evoque for its drop-dead gorgeous looks and comfort.
Conclusion
A convertible SUV can be called by different names such as cabriolets, drop top, Spyder SUV, roadster or simply a top-down sports utility vehicle. But the fact is that these vehicles are very popular, especially in sunshine states like California where the weather is superb all year round and some place where you can really enjoy a convertible SUV.
We have attempted to bring together a list of the most popular, and coolest convertible SUVs available in this niche market. Hope you get a better idea of this unique type of vehicle and narrow down your choice if you are in the market for a new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Convertibles are great for tall drivers who need extra headroom, is that true for a convertible SUV?
Ans. SUVs are designed to have extra headroom anyway, so a convertible SUV just makes the deal much sweeter with ample headroom for tall drivers.
Q2. Are convertible SUVs safe if they are in a collision?
Ans. Convertible SUVs from large manufacturers come with airbags and supplementary restraint systems that keep occupants safe in the event of a collision. The only disadvantage is that they have no roofs, still they can be as strong and robust as their roofed siblings.
Automakers do make convertible SUVs a little stronger and studier because they lack the extra structural member of the roof. Keeping safe in one of these vehicles during a collision should not be a problem.
