2024 Porsche 911 Convertible

　　

2024 Porsche 911 Convertible Review

byMichael CantuCorrespondent

　　Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.

　　, rating written byMichael CantuManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　Automakers like to claim that their car, truck or SUV is the best, but in most cases that claim falls short. But when it comes to the Porsche 911, calling it the best luxury sports car couldn't be more accurate. Other sports cars are more luxurious, offer better technology and are more affordable, but the 911 does the sports car part the best. It's a driving enthusiast's dream come true. In today's new car market, few cars feel like they are an extension of the driver. If the 911 could talk, it would urge you to drive it harder and faster, and you'd gladly comply thanks to the confidence it instills in you.

　　

zzdcar spotlight: The 911's extensive lineup

There's a version of the 911 for just about everyone. You have a choice of a coupe, a convertible or a Targa with a power-retractable roof panel. Once you decide on the body style, there's a long list of trims to choose from. The base Carrera and Carrera S models are great for those who want a comfortable and quick daily driver. The GTS is more powerful and capable, but the Turbo models are the way to go if you want physics-defying acceleration. If you enjoy the occasional track day, go for a GT3 model. And there's the rally-inspired Dakar version with a lifted suspension and all-terrain tires. Porsche is even adding another model to the 911's lineup for 2024. The new 911 S/T combines bits of some of our favorite 911 models, namely the GT3 Touring's manual transmission and sleek styling with the 518-horsepower engine from the 911 GT3 RS. The 911 S/T will also be the lightest 911 in the lineup thanks to features like carbon-fiber bodywork, magnesium wheels and thinner windows.

　　

Competitors to consider

If the Porsche 911 is out of your price range, or if you prefer a sports car with more luxury, tech and cargo space, check out one of its rivals. The larger BMW 8 Series provides more comfort and superior tech. If you want a more affordable sports car that drives exceptionally well, the Chevrolet Corvette should definitely be considered. Then there's the Aston Martin Vantage. It's not as good as the 911, but it's more exclusive and packs an amazing-sounding V8. For our test team's take on the Porsche 911, check out the thorough review in the zzdcar Expert Rating below.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

9.5/10

　　How does the 911 Cabriolet drive? We tested a Carrera S Cabriolet with rear-wheel drive and the PDK automatic transmission. At our test track it ripped from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds. For context, that means a run-of-the-mill Carrera S convertible will run neck and neck with the previous-gen racetrack-focused 911 GT3 to 60 mph as well as the quarter mile. The feel you get from the gas pedal makes it easy to know how much pressure is needed to get the acceleration you want.

　　Everything else is phenomenal too. The PDK automatic gives you the feel of a manual and offers whipcrack shifts, and the brakes deliver tremendous stopping power. The steering wheel is nicely weighted and provokes immediate but intuitive body reactions. And the handling … what is there to say? This adaptive suspension-equipped convertible feels amazing while snaking up mountain roads.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the 911 Cabriolet? The 911 Carrera S Cabriolet is quite usable as a daily driver. Our test car was equipped with 18-way adjustable sport seats. That's a lot of adjustments to dial in, but once you're set, you'll never need to fuss with the controls again. The 911 also has a smooth ride for a sports car, especially with the available adaptive suspension fitted.

　　The climate controls are intuitively laid out and effective even though the toggles and switches feel a little gimmicky compared to a tried-and-true set of knobs. The 911 is a little loud, however. The engine can sound coarse on startup, and road noise is a constant companion. This isn't unusual for a sporty convertible, but the Carrera S is noisier than most.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below