TL;DR
Convertible and cabriolet mean the same thing: a car with a roof that folds down. Cabriolet, often shortened to cabrio, is the European term used by brands like Audi and Mercedes; convertible is the everyday English word. What actually differs between cars is soft-top versus hardtop, and a handful of related terms like roadster, spider and targa that describe body style rather than the roof mechanism.
If you have been browsing a convertible and cabriolet rental listing and wondered whether a cabriolet is somehow different from a convertible, the short answer is no. The longer answer is a bit of history, one distinction that does matter, and a few related terms worth knowing before you book.
The short answer
They are two words for the same idea: an open-top car. You will see European marques badge theirs as a cabriolet, while American and general English usage favours convertible. Rent either and you get a car whose roof comes down.
Where the words come from
Cabriolet comes from a light, two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage with a folding leather hood, popular in 18th and 19th century Europe. European carmakers kept the term when motoring began, which is why you still see the Audi A5 Cabriolet and Mercedes cabriolet models today. Convertible is simply the descriptive English word that stuck in America and became the generic term used worldwide. Neither word tells you anything about the roof material or how it folds, that is a separate distinction entirely.
Soft-top vs hardtop: the difference that matters
| Soft-top | Hardtop (retractable) | |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | Fabric, folds quickly | Metal or hard panels that fold away |
| Folds | Very fast, often at low speed | Slower, takes more boot space when down |
| Feel | Lighter, classic roadster | Quieter and more secure with the roof up |
| Noise at speed | Slightly more wind and road noise | Closer to a regular saloon when closed |
Roadster, spider, targa: the other terms you will see
A few more words show up around open-top cars, and they describe body style rather than the roof itself:
- Roadster. A two-seater convertible, usually sportier and more compact, like a BMW Z4 or Porsche Boxster.
- Spider or spyder. The Italian equivalent of roadster, used by brands like Ferrari and Porsche for their two-seat open cars.
- Targa. A removable roof panel over the seats with a fixed rear window and roll hoop, a middle ground between a coupe and a full convertible, most associated with the Porsche 911 Targa.
- Landaulet. An older, rarer style where only the rear passenger section folds open, the front stays fixed. You are unlikely to see one for rent.
Common misconceptions
A few things people assume that are not quite right: a cabriolet is not a specific size or seat count, it can be a two-seat roadster or a four-seat saloon-based cabriolet. A convertible does not always have a fabric roof, many modern ones use retractable hardtops. And the badge on the boot lid is a marketing choice by the manufacturer, not a technical classification you need to worry about when booking.
What you can rent in Singapore
- Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0 Quattro, a sporty soft-top with the RS5 bodykit, from $238/day
- Mercedes E250 Cabriolet, a classic four-seat cabriolet with softer lines, from $258/day
- BMW Z4, a two-seater roadster (on request)
- Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet, elegant for shoots (on request)
Which should you rent?
Choose by occasion, not by the badge. A two-seat roadster suits a couple’s shoot or a proposal, while a four-seat cabriolet suits a wedding day, a ROM, or a group heading out together. All of them give you the same roof-down moment; the difference is how many people and how much luggage need to fit in with you.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cabriolet the same as a convertible?
Yes. They are two words for a car with a folding roof. Cabriolet is the European term; convertible is the common English one.
What is the real difference between open-top cars?
Soft-top versus hardtop. Soft-tops fold faster and are lighter; hardtops are quieter and more secure with the roof up.
What is a roadster then, if not just a convertible?
Roadster describes a two-seat, usually sportier body style. Every roadster is a convertible, but not every convertible is a roadster, some seat four.
Is a targa the same as a convertible?
Not quite. A targa has a removable panel over the seats but keeps a fixed rear window and roll hoop, rather than folding the whole roof away.
Which can I rent in Singapore?
LuxeDrive offers the Audi A5 Cabriolet and Mercedes E250 Cabriolet as self-drive rentals, with the BMW Z4 and Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet available on request.
Does it matter which term I search for when booking?
No. Convertible, cabriolet and cabrio all bring up the same cars in Singapore. Use whichever feels natural.
Ready to book your car?
Send us your date and we will check what is free. Self-drive convertibles from $238 a day, no GST.
Written by the LuxeDrive team. LuxeDrive is a Singapore self-drive luxury and convertible car rental company (UEN 202535855W). Prices are current 2026 LuxeDrive rates and may change; confirm your quote when you book.