What is a hard top convertible called?
A retractable hardtop, often abbreviated as RHT, is the correct term for a car with a rigid roof that folds away to form an open-top. In everyday usage, people also describe these as hardtop convertibles or simply convertibles with a retractable roof.
What exactly is a retractable hardtop?
A retractable hardtop is a rigid roof that tucks away into a storage area, typically behind the back seats or in the trunk, to convert the car from a closed coupe to an open-top. The system is usually powered by hydraulics or electric actuators and is designed to operate quickly and quietly. Compared with fabric soft tops, retractable hardtops offer improved weather sealing, security, and insulation when closed, but they add weight and mechanical complexity to the vehicle.
The following list highlights the core features and trade-offs associated with retractable hardtops:
- Rigid roof that folds or slides away rather than collapsing into the trunk as fabric tops do
- Powered mechanism (hydraulic or electric) for opening and closing
- Typically longer roof-down operation time (often 15–30 seconds) and more maintenance considerations
- Potential impact on luggage space and overall vehicle rigidity when the roof is stowed
In summary, retractable hardtops provide a blend of coupe-like security and weatherproofing with the open-air experience of a convertible, at the cost of added weight and mechanical complexity.
Terminology and industry usage
Industry and marketing materials use a mix of terms to describe these roofs. The most precise descriptor is “retractable hardtop” (often abbreviated RHT). You’ll also see “hardtop convertible” or simply “convertible with a retractable roof.” Some brands assign branded names to their roof systems (for example, terms like “Vario-Roof” or other proprietary labels), but the underlying roof type remains a retractable hardtop. The term “cabriolet” is historic and widely used in Europe to refer to open-top cars, but it can refer to both fabric-soft-top and retractable-hardtop configurations depending on the maker.
Common terms to know
Understanding the vocabulary helps when evaluating models. Key terms include: retractable hardtop (RHT), hardtop convertible, drop-top (colloquial for any open-top), cabriolet (historical European term, variably applied), and targa (a roof style that’s open at the top but retains a fixed frame). Brand-specific names for roof systems may appear in notes and brochures, but the technical distinction is usually whether the roof is retractable and hard (rigid) or fabric-based.
Brand naming conventions
Manufacturers often market their roof technologies under unique names while describing the same basic mechanism. For example, some brands describe the roof as a “retractable hardtop” in technical specs, while promotional materials might use a branded term. When shopping, always verify the roof type in the model specification to confirm whether it is a retractable hardtop, a fabric soft top, or a different configuration.
Notable examples in the market
Retractable hardtops appear across a range of segments—from luxury grand tourers to performance sports cars. Here are a few widely recognized examples that have popularized or maintained the capability in modern lineups:
- Mercedes-Benz SL-class and related SLK-class models, which have long used retractable hardtops
- Cadillac XLR (a historical example from the early 2000s known for its hydraulic RHT)
- Ferrari Portofino and other high-performance GTs that use a power-operated retractable hardtop
These examples illustrate how retractable hardtops are deployed across different brands and eras, balancing the appeal of open-air driving with the practicality of a rigid roof.
Summary
In brief, a hard top convertible is best described as a retractable hardtop—a roof that folds away to turn a coupe into an open-top vehicle. The term “cabriolet” may appear in marketing, but the technical core remains the same: a rigid roof that retracts for open-air driving, offering enhanced weather protection and security at the cost of added weight and complexity. When evaluating vehicles, checking the exact roof mechanism in the specs will reveal whether a model uses a retractable hardtop, a soft top, or an alternative roof design.
