Vauxhall Astra TwinTop

There's no shortage of folding hard top convertibles, but the Astra TwinTop has a particularly special roof. Where rivals use a two piece design the Astra features three panels that can be folded into a smaller space, making it less bulbous at the rear than its rivals. As might be expected with such good looking DNA, like its three and five-door relations, this Astra looks stunning and that's with the top up or down. It's also a technical marvel to watch it decapitate itself as five motors, eight hydraulic pistons and 13 sensors do their thing in 26 seconds. A further party trick is to allow access to your luggage without having to put the roof back up which is a move most rivals haven't learned. For its combination of looks, value and performance the TwinTop is very hard to beat.

16V, SPORT, WT, CDTI

The entry level Twin Top is only available with the 1.6-litre engine. It is fitted with electric windows front and rear, air conditioning, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, a CD player and Vauxhall's unique 'structure wheel' which looks like an alloy wheel but is actually a clever design with easily replaceable plastic covers - great for those who regularly kerb their wheels. The Sport mode ils available with either the 1.8 petrol or the 1.9 diesel engine and adds 16-inch alloy wheels, trip computer, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and a remote control function for the roof. Design is the top trim level available on the diesel engine and 2.0-litre turbo, and is additionally fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, a Sport switch to sharpen steering and throttle response, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, an anti-dazzle rear view mirror, automatic pop-up roll-over protection and a wind break. Leather upholstery and adaptive lighting that turns with the steering are optional.

2.0T 16V