Although they are not super popular, there are plenty of new convertible cars in the market right now. Some have hardtops, while others have plenty of power. There are even a few that get really good gas mileage. In fact, the convertible that gets the best fuel economy is not the car you would expect. As it turns out, Miata isn’t always the answer.

Which convertible car gets the best gas mileage?

The most fuel-sipping convertible that you can buy is the 2023 Mini Convertible. This little bread basket on wheels provides drivers with the top-down motoring experience you could only find on a go-kart track. The Mini Convertible is quick and nimble and tackles tight corners well with its well-tuned suspension and small chassis.

Under its hood is a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine that puts the power to the front wheels via a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Of course, we recommend the latter for the most smiles for miles. As for fuel economy, the Mini Convertible is EPA estimated to get up to 27 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

Don’t worry; the Mazda MX-5 Miata isn’t too far behind

As for the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata enthusiasts, don’t worry; the little roadster is the second most gas-frugal convertible. The MX-5 can get up to an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway from its 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. It will not only save you money between fill-ups, but it will also give you a lot of fun behind the wheel between gas stations.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata’s rear-drive configuration and lightweight chassis make it one of the most nimble cars on the market. Furthermore, its slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission is one of the best in the business.  

The BMW Z4 has plenty of power and saves gas

The 2022 BMW Z4 is quite the wild card entry on this list. It comes in two flavors, but the most popular one is the sDriveM40i, which carries a 3.0-liter turbo six-cylinder engine. That engine makes 382 hp, but its most impressive part is its ability to return up to 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

That leaves a lot of room for fun behind the wheel. According to TrueCar, “The Z4 offers zesty acceleration and athletic handling. It isn’t quite as sporty as its main rival, the Porsche 718 Boxster, but it is a bit more civilized.” That civilized nature makes this convertible one of the nicest and smoothest ways to drive with the top down.

The most fuel-efficient convertible cars on the market

These three examples are only a small taste of the variety of convertibles in the current market. Other fuel-efficient runner-ups include:

• 2021 BMW 4 Series Convertible: 23 city/31 highway mpg
• 2023 Audi A5: 24 city/31 highway mpg
• 2022 Audi TT: 23 city/30 highway mpg
• 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: 22 city/29 highway mpg
• 2023 BMW 8 Series: 21 city/29 highway mpg
• 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: 19 city/28 highway mpg
• 2022 Ford Mustang Convertible: 20 city/27 highway mpg

As we can see, you can have your drop-top fun and gas mileage too. The most interesting part is that you don’t have to pick a Mazda MX-5 either, as plenty of fuel-efficient convertibles can be found.