2022 Mercedes-AMG E53 Convertible

The price of the 2022 AMG E53 Cabriolet starts at a cool $84,350. This cost does not include tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,050. At this price, the E53 Cabriolet seems like an absolute bargain, as its close rival, the BMW 8 Series Convertible, goes for an MSRP of $94,400 in base form, where it makes significantly less power. However, the 8 Series is positioned as more of a competitor to the S-Class Cabriolet. Seeing as there is only one model on offer, new owners will have to turn to the options list to customize their new rides. Fully loaded, the E53 Cabriolet can reach prices of close to $105,000.

This high-performance AWD Cabriolet is a capable handler, despite its hefty curb weight and the fact that it doesn't have the same levels of rigidity as offered by its hardtop sibling. With standard adaptive air suspension keeping things level in the bends, and the 4Matic AWD system helping the wheels firmly grip the road, the E53 Cabriolet likes to claw itself out of corners at insane speeds. The dynamic suspension settings on offer here allow the driver to choose between a rock-hard setup for track use or a cozy setup for when you're bashing through rough back roads. The brake system on the E53 is very impressive and offers positive feedback and a strong initial bite. Steering feedback is lacking, but steering input is met with precise changes in direction.

The current AMG drop-top lineup is seriously impressive, and the E53 finds itself snuggled somewhere in the middle of the range. This E-Class Cabriolet looks meaner than its non-AMG equivalent and packs a knockout blow under the hood in the form of a force-fed 3.0-liter straight-six that produces 429 hp and 384 lb-ft. With AWD and a slick nine-speed auto transmission, the E53 Cabrio always feels like it has more power to give, and its integrated electric air compressor makes turbo lag a thing of the past. On the road, the E53 Cabriolet is a pleasure to cruise in or throw around the bends. The cabin is a truly luxurious place to sit in and offers all the modern amenities you'd expect from a car of this caliber. The E53 also comes packed with a load of standard driver safety assistance systems and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. It might not be the most hardcore AMG, but any review will agree, it will still show you a seriously good time.

There aren't multiple Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet models, just the one, so you don't get much choice. If we were buying, we would get one in Selenite Grey with 20-inch five-spoke wheels and the AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package. On the inside, we'd get red stitching on the seats and add the AMG carbon fiber inserts and AMG Performance Steering Wheel in Nappa/Dinamica. We'd also include the Driver Assistance Package and the AMG Performance Exhaust system. The total cost is just shy of $97k.

BMW offers the 8 Series Convertible with various engine outputs, all placing the car in the same ballpark as the E53 Cabriolet, but never directly rivaling it. The 8 Series Convertible is a good-looking car and offers similar dimensions to those of the AMG. In base form, the BMW offers a similar 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six engine, which produces 335 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque. This is far off the E53's mark, and the BMW also costs more at $94,400 in RWD form. However, the BMW offers a larger trunk and is just as good to drive on an everyday basis. If you can spare the extra coin, BMW provides an M850i, which adds AWD and a 523 hp 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. For the price, we suggest sticking with the Mercedes.

Mercedes-AMG offers an impressive array of drop-top performance cars, and at the higher end of that spectrum sits the obnoxiously proportioned Mercedes-AMG S63 Cabriolet. Available as a 2021 model, this is likely the last iteration of Merc's grand coupe as a two-door version of the all-new S-Class won't be offered. This land yacht costs more than double the price of the E53 Cabriolet at $185,400 and comes with more of everything. Need more space? The S63 Cabriolet offers more passenger space and up to 12.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the top up compared to the E53's 9.5. Need more power? The S63 comes equipped with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with a serious 603 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. It also comes with 4Matic AWD and a nine-speed automatic transmission. However, the S63 does disappoint in the features department; most of the good stuff is still only found on the options list. We'd stick with the more practical E53 Cabriolet.