Nothing beats feeling the thrill of the open road, and convertible cars are the best way to deliver it with the sense of freedom that comes with a drop-top ride. However, not every vehicle is suited to the soft-top transformation. In fact, in some cases, what worked beautifully as a coupe or sedan became awkward, unbalanced, or simply impractical when the roof came off. 

Chrysler Sebring Convertible

Several manufacturers removed the roof of a successful sedan to increase sales. However, Chrysler’s decision to offer a Sebring Convertible never gained popularity, although it was produced for three generations. The car was plagued by poor handling, and the soft top was prone to leaks. As the market evolved, the Sebring was increasingly seen as a rental-fleet convertible rather than a desirable purchase. 

Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet

After a successful experience with the Murano, Nissan offered the Murano CrossCabriolet as an all-wheel-drive convertible crossover, blending two market segments in a way no one expected. Unfortunately, the result was a vehicle that lacked identity, and people weren’t interested. Moreover, it suffered from poor structural rigidity, compromising its handling and adding extra weight. Nissan decided to discontinue this car only three years after its launch. 

Smart ForTwo Cabriolet

When it debuted, the Smart ForTwo Cabriolet seemed like a playful addition to the microcar lineup. The idea of a tiny city car with a convertible roof sounded quirky. However, in practice, the convertible top did little to improve the car’s handling or speed. The cabriolet’s retractable soft top had issues with durability and noise insulation, which made the car less practical for everyday driving, especially at higher speeds. 

Dodge 400 Convertible

Released in 1982, the Dodge 400 Convertible was the company’s first since 1971 after the oil crisis. However, this didn’t mean it was well-executed. It was essentially an economy car with the roof cut off. Its boxy, uninspiring design looked awkward in convertible form, and the car lacked the power or sophistication to stand out, although it helped pave the way for future Chrysler convertibles. 

Lexus SC430

The Lexus SC430 is perhaps best known for being one of a luxury automaker’s most divisive convertibles ever produced. Launched in 2001, the SC430 replaced the highly regarded SC300/400 coupe and was intended to be a flagship luxury convertible. However, the car’s soap bar shape, with a bulbous rear end, was widely criticized, and it became the subject of negative reviews regarding its appearance.

Chevrolet SSR

For retro lovers, the Chevrolet SSR was General Motors’ attempt to blend a pickup truck with a convertible sports car. It featured a retractable hardtop and retro-inspired styling that harkened back to Chevrolet’s 1940s and ’50s pickups. On paper, this seemed like an exciting idea, but the SSR was hampered by underwhelming performance in its early years, with a heavy curb weight and a weak engine.

Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible

The Chrysler PT Cruiser was already polarizing when the convertible version debuted in 2005. While some loved the retro styling, others were put off by its unconventional look. The car’s proportions looked unbalanced, which led to noticeable handling issues. The cramped rear seat and limited trunk space were already problems in the regular PT Cruiser, and they became even worse in the convertible version.

Cadillac Allanté

Cadillac’s Allanté was built with bodies crafted by Italian design house Pininfarina and flown from Italy to the US for final assembly, which contributed to its steep price. However, the front-wheel-drive platform was a downside in the luxury convertible market dominated by rear-wheel-drive competitors. While Cadillac improved the model over time, it never caught on, and production ceased in 1993. 

Hummer H1 Open Top

The Hummer H1 was built to conquer the toughest terrains, but despite its off-road capabilities, the decision to offer the vehicle an open-top version wasn’t practical. The absence of a roof added to the noise and discomfort while compromising its interior. For a car known for surviving extreme conditions, turning it into an open-top cruiser never resonated with the market. 

Suzuki X-90 

Many car enthusiasts believed that the Suzuki X-90 was an oddball in its standard form, but things got even stranger when Suzuki decided to make it a convertible. The X-90 was marketed as a compact SUV, yet its two-seat layout and tiny trunk made it impractical for any serious utility. The decision to add a removable T-top convertible roof only added to its identity crisis.

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Cabriolet

The Range Rover Evoque was a successful compact luxury SUV, so Land Rover decided to take it further by offering a convertible version in 2017. However, removing the roof compromised the Evoque’s sleek design and off-road capabilities, and the heavy convertible mechanism added extra weight, making it sluggish compared to its hardtop sibling. Sales were underwhelming, and the car was quietly discontinued one year later. 

Plymouth Prowler

Looking like a car from a comic book, the Plymouth Prowler was a striking design experiment that drew attention. As a convertible, it stood out for its daring aesthetics, but it didn’t take long for drivers to realize that its aggressive looks didn’t match its performance. It was powered by a rather tame V6 engine that disappointed many enthusiasts, and the convertible top wasn’t particularly refined either.

Dodge Dakota Convertible

The Dodge Dakota Convertible is one of the most puzzling vehicles ever to hit the convertible market. Introduced in 1989, it was the first and only convertible pickup truck made in the US. The concept of a drop-top pickup truck was intriguing but ultimately impractical. While the Dakota was a capable mid-size truck, removing the roof did little to enhance its utility or appeal.

Geo Metro Convertible

Powered by a tiny three-cylinder engine, the Geo Metro Convertible was slow, with limited performance and handling capabilities. Additionally, removing the roof made such a small car feel even more fragile on the road. Despite its affordability, the Metro Convertible never caught on in a big way. However, it did find a small following among budget-conscious buyers who wanted an ultra-cheap convertible experience. 

Lexus IS-C

Introduced in 2009, the Lexus IS-C was the convertible version of the Lexus IS sedan. Nevertheless, it never lived up to the standard set by the IS—a solid performer in the luxury sport sedan market. One of the key issues was the car’s awkward proportions. The retractable hardtop added bulk, dulling the car’s agility, and with the roof down, the IS-C looked unbalanced and clunky.