Cabriolet

"Cabriolet" or the abbreviated "Cabrio", is used interchangeably with "Convertible", and can mean any vehicle where the roof can be retracted or removed.

The origin of the word is French and is a direct translation of "convertible". It was originally used in the 19th century as the name of a two wheeled, two seater, horse drawn buggy with a retractable roof.

The marketing departments of car manufacturers prefer using cabriolet, cabrio, roadster, or spyder for the actual name of the car over 'convertible'.  

What it means

A cabriolet is a car with a roof that folds away so you can drive with the top down. In modern usage cabriolet and convertible mean much the same thing, although some manufacturers prefer one term over the other. Most cabriolets use a fabric or mohair-style soft top on a hinged frame, with a glass or plastic rear screen and a system of seals and gutters to keep water out when the roof is raised.

Why it matters

• Different care needs: Cabriolets with fabric roofs need specific cleaning and proofing products, not the same shampoos and polishes you would use on metal panels.
• More potential leak points: The roof, seals, gutters and drains on a cabriolet give several extra places for water leaks compared with a fixed-roof car.
• Affects noise and comfort: Soft top cabriolets are usually noisier and more temperature sensitive than hardtops, so roof condition and seal health make a big difference to refinement.
• Value and desirability: A tidy cabriolet with a clean, well maintained roof is far more attractive to buyers than one with green algae, faded fabric or obvious leaks.

Where you’ll see it

You will see the term cabriolet in model names and sales listings (for example Audi A3 Cabriolet, Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet) and on insurance and inspection documents. Detailers, trimmers and water-leak specialists will often refer to a car simply as a cabrio or soft top when discussing roof cleaning, proofing or leak diagnostics.

Context

Cabriolet is one of several body-style terms used for open cars, alongside convertible, roadster and spider. In everyday language they are often blurred together. Roadsters and spiders are usually two-seaters, whereas cabriolets are often based on saloons or hatchbacks and may have four seats. Whatever the badge says, any car with a folding roof brings together exterior detailing, roof fabric care, seal maintenance and, on powered roofs, electrical and hydraulic systems that all need periodic attention.

Common mistakes

• Assuming cabriolet is a completely different type of car from a convertible, when most manufacturers use the terms interchangeably.
• Treating a cabriolet roof like normal paintwork and washing it with strong TFR, stiff brushes or polish, which can damage fabric and stitching.
• Ignoring small leaks or damp smells in a cabriolet, which can quickly lead to mouldy interiors, electrical issues and trim damage.
• Operating powered cabriolet roofs without checking for obstructions, frozen seals or low battery voltage, risking costly mechanism faults.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 01/12/2025 15:26