Today’s automotive landscape is filled with convertibles, making it easy for almost any budget to afford a slice of joy. While it would be fun to bookend this comparison with the least expensive (Smart for Two) and the most expensive (Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe) ragtops in the world, the gap would be Grand Canyon-esque. So, we decided to focus on center stage: enjoyable, useful convertibles that aren’t too expensive, yet a cut above the norm.

Jaguar XK
Jaguar has been associated with sporting cars even before they were called Jaguar. Through motoring history, Jag produced some of the quickest, fastest, most agile, and beautiful cars ever. The XK does wonders to carry on that tradition. The shape recalls the exciting E-Type sports cars of the 1960s and ‘70s, often referred to as one of the most beautiful car designs ever, while maintaining its own identity. Inside, exceptionally well-appointed interiors engulf occupants and surround them with safety, comfort, and the warmth that British cars are so well known for. Bolster that with performance ranging from exceptional to breathtaking, and the XK is a tough ride to beat.

Absolutely the priciest car in this lineup, capable of striking the checkbook for just under $100,000, the XK is one of those vehicles that borders on hedonism. It sports a 4.2-liter V8, normally aspirated with 300 horsepower or supercharged with 420 horsepower, both fed through a silky-smooth 6-speed automatic. Opting for the more powerful of the two enters you into the realm of the XKR, lending not only more power, but also a heftier set of brakes, sportier suspension, and stickier tires – just to name a few adjustments that separate it from the regular XK. If there is such a thing as a regular XK.

And if you’re seeking some more individual attention, you can tailor it to your exact specifications. Inside, Jaguar will trim with light or dark wood veneers, or ditch the forest look altogether and choose a patterned aluminum trim, again reflecting the original E-Types. While Jaguar has always prided itself with wonderful leathers, it’s the range of colors and combinations that truly mark Jaguar as one of the quintessential luxury carmakers. Even the heavily insulated convertible top is available in a variety of colors.

For more hot convertibles, be sure to pick up this month's copy of Style-Folsom El Dorado Hills edition. Click on the "Get Your Copy" link on the bottom of this page for some of our newsstand locations. Or, to order a copy of this issue, please email Gloria Schroeder at [email protected], or call her at 916-988-9888 x116.