Cabriolet vs. Convertible: What’s the Difference?

They’re effectively the same in modern car parlance: both “cabriolet” and “convertible” describe a car with a roof that can be retracted or removed. Today, the distinction is mostly about regional language and brand marketing—“cabriolet” is favored by many European makers, while “convertible” is the common term in North America. Subtle nuances persist in usage, but there is no formal, technical difference between the two.

Where the Terms Come From—and How They’re Used

“Cabriolet” stems from French, originally describing a light, horse‑drawn carriage with a folding top. As automobiles emerged, European brands carried the term forward for open‑roof models. “Convertible” is the English term highlighting a roof that “converts” from closed to open. Over time, both words came to denote the same broad body style. In current usage, “cabriolet” often appears on premium European models and in UK/EU materials, while “convertible” dominates U.S. and Canadian terminology. Neither term by itself guarantees a soft top or a hardtop, seating arrangement, or specific roof mechanism.

How Automakers Label Their Open-Top Cars Today

Brand conventions vary by market. The following examples illustrate how major manufacturers commonly name their open-roof models and show that “cabriolet” vs. “convertible” is largely a naming choice rather than a specification.

• Mercedes‑Benz: Uses “Cabriolet” for soft‑top variants (e.g., C‑Class Cabriolet, E‑Class Cabriolet); “Roadster” for two‑seat sports models (e.g., SL).
• Porsche: Uses “Cabriolet” on 911 and 718 models with folding roofs.
• Audi: Historically used “Cabriolet” (e.g., A5 Cabriolet); naming has shifted with model line updates, but usage remains in brand heritage.
• BMW: Often uses “Convertible” (e.g., 4 Series Convertible); “Cabrio” appears informally in some markets.
• Ford: “Convertible” (e.g., Mustang Convertible) in North America.
• Volkswagen and MINI: Typically “Convertible” (e.g., Beetle Convertible, MINI Convertible).
• Italian exotics: Often “Spider/Spyder” (Ferrari, Lamborghini) for open variants rather than cabriolet/convertible.
• Fiat: “500C” uses a large retractable fabric roof but retains fixed side rails; marketed as open‑air but not a full cabriolet in the classic sense.
• Bentley/Rolls‑Royce: Bentley “GTC” (Gran Touring Convertible); Rolls‑Royce Dawn marketed as a luxury convertible without the cabriolet label.

As these examples show, the badge on the trunk reflects brand language and positioning, not a technical standard that separates “cabriolet” from “convertible.”

Common Misconceptions and Related Terms

Because open‑air body styles overlap, terms often get conflated. The items below clarify what each term usually means in the industry and among enthusiasts.

• Soft‑top vs. hardtop: Both can be called cabriolets or convertibles; the roof material doesn’t dictate the term.
• Roadster: Typically a two‑seat, open‑top sports car; may have a soft or hard top (e.g., Mazda MX‑5, Mercedes SLK/SLC). Not defined by the cabriolet/convertible label.
• Spider/Spyder: Italian‑leaning term for a convertible sports car (Ferrari 296 GTS, Lamborghini Huracán Spyder).
• Targa: A fixed roll hoop or structural bar with a removable/translucent panel and often a separate rear window (e.g., Porsche 911 Targa). Not a full folding-roof convertible.
• Coupé‑cabriolet (retractable hardtop): Folding metal roof that transforms a coupé into an open car (e.g., older Mercedes SLK R171, Peugeot 308 CC).
• Cabrio coach/large fabric sunroof: Expanded canvas roof with fixed door frames and side rails (e.g., Fiat 500C), offering open‑air feel without a fully open side profile.
• Landaulet: Chauffeur‑driven body with a convertible rear compartment; rare and largely ceremonial today.

Understanding these adjacent terms helps distinguish true full open‑top cars from partial or alternative open‑air designs, regardless of whether they’re called cabriolets or convertibles.

Practical Buying Considerations

When choosing an open‑top car, examine the roof system and vehicle design rather than the badge language. The points below highlight factors that matter more than the name on the spec sheet.

• Roof type and operation: Soft‑tops are lighter and often quicker to fold; hardtops can feel more coupé‑like when closed but add weight and complexity.
• Weather and insulation: Modern soft‑tops offer multi‑layer acoustic fabrics and heated glass, but hardtops may provide marginally better winter refinement.
• Cargo and packaging: Retractable hardtops typically eat more trunk space; soft‑tops often preserve more luggage room when lowered.
• Chassis rigidity and safety: Look for factory bracing, rollover protection (pop‑up hoops or fixed bars), and crash test data specific to the open‑top model.
• Security and durability: Soft‑tops require care (UV, waterproofing, abrasion); hardtops have more moving parts that can be expensive to repair.
• Insurance and theft risk: Premiums can differ for open‑top cars; check rates for the exact model and roof type.
• Resale and maintenance: Verify roof service history, drainage maintenance, and mechanism operation on used vehicles.

Evaluating these tangible attributes ensures you buy the right car for your climate, usage, and budget—regardless of whether the brochure says cabriolet or convertible.

FAQs

These quick answers address typical points of confusion about the two terms.

• Is a cabriolet always a soft‑top? No. While many “Cabriolet” models use fabric roofs, the term itself doesn’t mandate roof material.
• Is a convertible more American? Yes. “Convertible” is the default term in North America; “cabriolet” is more common in European branding.
• Are there legal or technical standards separating the two? No. There’s no universal regulatory difference between “cabriolet” and “convertible.”
• Does “roadster” mean the same thing? Not exactly. Roadster usually implies a two‑seat open sports car; it can be a type of convertible/cabriolet but emphasizes seating and sportiness.

In everyday use, you can treat cabriolet and convertible as interchangeable, then use context to parse more specific body‑style terms like roadster or targa.

Summary

Cabriolet and convertible are interchangeable in modern automotive language, both describing a car with a retractable or removable roof. The choice of word is primarily regional and branding-driven—European premium marques often say “Cabriolet,” while North American makers favor “Convertible.” For shoppers, the meaningful differences lie in roof type, engineering, and practicality, not the name on the badge.

What makes a car a cabriolet?

A cabriolet is simply another word for a convertible car, which is a passenger vehicle with a roof that can be retracted or removed to allow for an open-air driving experience. The term “cabriolet” is the European term for convertible and is often used by manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. The roof can be a flexible soft-top made of fabric or a rigid metal structure, and its operation can be manual or automatic.
 
Key characteristics of a cabriolet:

• Retractable or removable roof: The defining feature is its ability to switch between a closed-top and an open-top configuration. 
• Soft-top or hard-top: The roof can be made of multi-layered fabric (soft-top) or metal (retractable hardtop). 
• European origin: The word “cabriolet” is French in origin and was first used for 18th-century horse-drawn carriages with folding roofs. 
• Interchangeable term: In modern usage, there’s no structural difference between a cabriolet and a convertible; the choice of word depends on regional preference or manufacturer marketing. 

In summary, when you see or hear the term “cabriolet,” think of a convertible car with a folding roof designed for an open-air drive.

Is the cabriolet being discontinued?

Volkswagen will cease production of the T-Roc cabriolet in 2025, ending a 75-year tradition of internal-combustion-engine-powered convertible models at the German automaker.

Are cabriolet and convertible the same?

There is no functional difference between a cabriolet and convertible in modern automobiles. Which word you use generally depends on where you’re from. Cabriolet—often shortened to cabrio—is the common name for a convertible in many European countries.

Why are convertibles called cabriolets?

cabriolet, originally a two-wheeled, doorless, hooded, one-horse carriage, first used in 18th-century France and often let out for hire. The name is thought to derive from cabriole (French: “caper”) because of the vehicle’s light, bounding motion.