2025 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

What’s new?

The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet receives significant updates as part of the 992.2 generation refresh. The 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six engine now produces 388 horsepower, a nine-horsepower increase over the previous model, thanks to new turbochargers and an intercooler borrowed from the 911 Turbo. Exterior changes include a refreshed front and rear fascia, new LED matrix headlights, and a redesigned rear light bar with "PORSCHE" lettering.

A fully digital 12.6-inch curved instrument cluster debuts behind the steering wheel, offering seven customizable display options. The updated Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system features enhanced Apple CarPlay integration, wireless Android Auto support, and built-in apps like Spotify and Apple Music. A new start button to the left of the steering wheel and a cooled smartphone compartment with wireless charging, round off the interior updates.

More power and improved performance from an updated boxer-six

Porsche incorporated some important updates in the 992.2 Carrera’s engine for 2025. While it gets the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo boxer-six engine, codenamed the 9A2 Evo, it receives a new intercooler and turbos from the outgoing 911 Turbo and GTS models. This results in a boost pressure of 17.4 psi, good for 388 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of twist, marking a nine-horsepower increase over the 2024 model.

As for performance, the 992.2 Carrera Cabriolet takes 4.1 seconds to gallop to sixty miles from a halt and reaches a quarter-mile in 12.5 seconds. The optional Chrono Package adds "Launch Control" to deliver 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds and a quarter-mile in 12.3 seconds. The top speed remains 181 mph. However, we expect faster performance metrics in independent test results since Porsche is conservative with stating its performance numbers.

These figures keep the 911 competitive within its segment, but that’s far from the best. The 2024 C8 Corvette Stingray 3LT Convertible outfits a 495-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 to dispatch 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds and offers a maximum speed of 194 mph. On the other hand, the Lexus LC 500 Convertible embraces a 471-horsepower 5.0-liter V8, but it’s slower, with 4.6 seconds.

We don’t know the fuel economy estimates yet, but we expect it to be similar to the 2024 model, which has a rating of 18 mpg (city) and 24 mpg (highway). A 16.6-gallon tank should give it close to 400 miles of highway range, but buyers can fit a 22.1-gallon fuel tank for $230. While it increases the range, it will also increase the curb weight with more fuel in the tank.

Evolutionary design language with improved aerodynamics and new four-point LED lights

The 992.2 Carrera Cabriolet inherits the 911’s iconic silhouette but incorporates subtle design updates. At first glance, most buyers will struggle to distinguish the 992.2 generation from its predecessor, as the changes are evolutionary rather than revolutionary. As you look closely, the fascia looks more athletic because of the newly designed LED Matrix headlights with new DRL designs, larger air intakes, and a sleek light bar with "PORSCHE" lettering. Optional HD-Matrix LED headlamps (starting at $1,780) lay a sinister touch to the face.

Another notable change is the rear decklid, which now sports five strakes on each side of the grille for a cleaner, simplified look. The rear fascia is streamlined, and the license plate is repositioned higher to sit flush with the light bar. LED taillamps are standard, but you can fit Exclusive Design LED taillamps for $1,040, which combines with lighter shades to exude a unique look. While these updates give the 911 a more modern appearance, Porsche could have pushed the design further to differentiate it from the 992.1 generation.

As a convertible, the Carrera Cabriolet delivers the thrill of open-top driving, pampering occupants with an immersive driving experience. There are five top colors to choose from. A black roof is standard, while brown, red, blue, and black with white stripes cost $230. The soft-top design comes with some compromises, such as reduced structural rigidity and increased wind noise compared to the coupe.

19-inch front and 20-inch Carrera wheels grace the arches of this car. There are optional wheels like 20/21-inch Carrera S, RS Spyder, and Exclusive Design wheels for customization. Their larger diameter can improve handling but at the cost of increased road noise and stiffer ride quality.

As for dimensions, the 992.2 Carrera Cabriolet rides on the same 96.5-inch wheelbase. However, its body is slightly larger, 178.8 inches long, 72.9 inches wide, and 51.2 inches tall.

A refreshed interior with upgraded materials and newer technology

Step inside the 992.2 Carrera Cabriolet, and you’ll be greeted with an atmosphere that’s driver-centric and offers newer technology for an improved experience. The dashboard design remains the same, with a touchscreen, user-friendly controls, and driver-focused ergonomics.

For the 992.2 generation, Porsche updated the driver’s side with a fully digital 12.6-inch curved instrument cluster, offering seven customizable display options, including an iconic five-gauge layout enthusiasts love. While the new cluster adds a modern touch, purists will lament the loss of the analog cluster from the 992.1 generation, given it’s a heritage design cue. Silver-painted trims are standard, but we’d prefer the optional carbon fiber trim for a sportier look. Besides, Paldao wood, exterior color-keyed, and aluminum garnishes are available.

Unlike GTS trims, the Carrera Cabriolet focuses more on being family-friendly. It comes with a standard four-seater setup, and the seats are covered with black leatherette seats. You can opt for two-tone leather, mon-tone leather with contrast stitching, and club leather seats.

Four-way power sports seats with heating are standard fitments, but ventilated front seats are optional at $840. Buyers seeking a more upright position and multiple adjustment positions can select from four-way Sport Seats Plus at $810, 14-way power sports seats at $2,320, and 18-way Adaptive Sports seats with memory at $3,830.

Porsche doesn’t reveal the dimensions for passenger room in both rows, but the front seats have sufficient head and legroom. On the contrary, the rear seats are suitable for children or teens as the legroom is tighter and the headroom is less with the roof in place. Practicality is another drawback of the 911, as the front offers only 4.8 cubic feet of storage space.

While the center features the same 10.9-inch touchscreen, Porsche installed it with the latest version of the PCM interface. It adds wireless Android Auto for the first time, and wireless Apple CarPlay can be projected in the digital cluster. Google Play Store support and enhanced Porsche QR ID offer faster profile loading. An eight-speaker sound setup is standard, but buyers can upgrade to Bose or Burmester high-end audio systems.

Interior Features

• 4-way power sports seats with heating

• Fully digital 12.6-inch curved instrument cluster

• 10.9-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay

• Cooled smartphone compartment with 15-watt wireless charging

• Ventilated front seats - $840

• Sport Seats Plus (4-way) - $810

• Power Sport Seats (14-way) with Memory Package - $2,320

• Adaptive Sport Seats Plus (18-way) with Memory Package - $3,830

• Club leather seats - $6,310

• Optional Carbon fiber, Paldao wood, Brushed Aluminum

• Bose 12-speaker surround audio system - $1,600

• Burmester 13-speaker High-End Surround Sound System - $5,560

A great daily driver, but not ideal for the track

The Porsche 911 is famous for its handling, and even the entry-level Carrera Cabriolet impresses in terms of drivability. It’s only available with rear-wheel-drive, offering a pure driving experience and optimized weight distribution, though it may require more skill in challenging conditions than all-wheel-drive variants. All 992.2 models have a new "Wet Mode," which adjusts the traction control, throttle response, ABS, and other systems to enhance safety on damp roads. Enthusiasts can opt for the Sport Chrono Package, which adds a dash-mounted stopwatch, additional drive modes, and Launch Control to improve acceleration.

Cabriolet-specific suspension tuning and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) delivers a ride that’s both comfortable and poised. Body roll is minimal on twisty mountain roads, but we wouldn’t recommend performing sharp maneuvers if you don’t get sport-tuned adaptive dampers like the ones in the 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet.

An electromechanical power steering provides a decent feel; not too light or heavy. It provides decent feedback and is responsive, allowing drivers to confidently navigate twisty roads. For added convenience, the optional Front Axle Lift System ($2,980) raises the ride height by 1.5 inches at speeds up to 31 mph to assist in steep driveways and speed bumps.

Buyers can also equip a Power Steering Plus ($300) for variable assistance and reduced low-speed effort. However, it doesn’t offer any feedback, and the steering rack feels numb on the highway, let alone the overall synthetic feel.

Braking performance remains sufficient for daily drives with 13.8-inch ventilated front rotors and six-piston brakes. The rear wheels have the same-sized rotors with four-piston brakes. These brakes provide sufficient bite and have a good lifespan.

However, Porsche doesn’t offer Ceramic Composite brakes or Surface-coated brakes, which would have been a great addition to this car, given its impressive performance in its class. Some drivers may lament the absence of features like Rear-axle steering, which improves low-speed maneuverability and high-speed stability, and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), which might have further reduced body roll.

How does the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet compare against rivals?

2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible 3LT

Chevrolet’s mid-engine C8 Corvette Convertible offers a compelling alternative to the 911 Carrera Cabriolet. Priced from $88,745, the Corvette Stingray 3LT Convertible undercuts the Porsche by a whopping $44,655, but don’t be fooled by its lower price.

The Corvette’s 6.2-liter V8 produces 495 horsepower and 465 pound-feet, outgunning the Carrera’s 388-horsepower twin-turbo boxer-six. It’s also lighter than its German rival and uses the extra power to dispatch 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds, making it quicker by a second. With 194 top speed, the C8 Convertible puts nails in the 911’s coffin on the tracks.

The Corvette’s exotic styling surely turns heads, but it’s subjective due to the sharp styling. Its interior can only seat a coupe, while the 911 takes the lead in passenger capacity. However, Chevy equips the C8 with a sportier cabin, heated-ventilated GT2 sports seats, and tons of safety features. The C8 offers 12.6 cubic-feet of space at the back, offering more practicality.

2024 Lexus LC 500 Convertible

Lexus is a strong competitor to Porsche. This Japanese carmaker is famous for its stylish, luxurious, safe, and reliable cars. The 2024 LC 500 Convertible starts at $107,300, which is $26,100 cheaper than the Carrera Convertible.

It follows the same formula as the mid-engine C8 Corvette Convertible, featuring a 5.0-liter V8 engine, this time upfront with an output of 471 horsepower and 398 pound-feet, scoring more power than the 911. However, this front-engined convertible is also the heaviest in the segment with 4,540 pounds, which results in a 0-60 mph timing of 4.6 seconds.

Exterior styling is a matter of preference, and both convertibles are poles apart. Unlike the 911’s heritage-inspired styling, Lexus goes for a more modern look with its fascia characterized by sharp LED lamps and the "Spindle Grille." Its interior seats only two, and Porsche leads with a four-passenger setup. The LC 500 includes more standard features like heated-ventilated front seats, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and more.

It also includes safety features like blindspot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Lexus Safety System 2.5+ package, with some features absent in the Porsche. The engine offers a warranty of up to six years or 70,000 miles, and reliability is top-notch.

How’s the warranty?

Porsche’s warranty is competitive, but no the best in segment. The 911 Carrera Cabriolet includes a four-year or 50,000-mile basic warranty. Its 3.0-liter twin-turbo boxer-six engine comes with a four-year or 50,000-mile warranty and complimentary maintenance is guaranteed for one year or 10,000 miles.

Chevrolet on the contrary, offers a three-year basic warranty, but its powertrain comes with a five-year/60,000-mile warranty. Complimentary maintenance is provided for the first visit.

Lexus, on the other hand, promises a six-year or 70,000-mile powertrain warranty and provides complimentary maintenance for one year or 10,000 miles.

Warranty highlights

• 4 years/50,000 miles basic warranty

• 4 years/50,000 miles powertrain warranty

• 4 years/50,000 miles roadside assistance

• 4 years/50,000 miles paint warranty

• 12 years/unlimited miles corrosion warranty

• 1 year/10,000 miles complimentary maintenance

Conclusion: The 992.2 generation brings crucial updates, but the price remains steep!

Porsche’s 2025 911 Carrera Cabriolet offers a compelling blend of performance, luxury, and open-top thrills. While the updates for the 992.2 generation are subtle, they enhance an already excellent package. The increased power output and improved technology make it more appealing for daily use. Updates like a 12.6-inch all-digital cluster and updated PCM software enhance the overall experience with wireless Android Auto and Google Play Store support. However, purists might prefer the 992.1 for its more analog feel and cheaper MSRP.

Rivals like the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible offer more power for less money, while the Lexus LC 500 Convertible provides a more luxurious grand touring experience. The 911 Carrera Cabriolet excels in its balance of performance and refinement, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a versatile sports car. Yet, its high price tag and evolutionary updates may raise eyebrows.

FAQs

What’s new in the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet?

The 2025 911 Carrera Cabriolet introduces the 992.2 generation with several updates. The 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six engine now produces 388 hp, a nine hp increase. Exterior changes include refreshed fascias, new LED matrix headlights, and a redesigned rear light band. Inside, a new 12.6-inch digital instrument cluster debuts and an enhanced infotainment system featuring improved smartphone integration and built-in apps.

How much does the 2025 911 Carrera Cabriolet cost?

The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet starts at $133,400, while the Coupe variant begins at $120,100. However, Porsche offers extensive customization options and packages that can significantly increase the final price. It’s worth noting that the Cabriolet commands a premium of about $13,300 over the Coupe for the open-top driving experience.

How powerful is the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet?

The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged boxer-6 engine, producing 388 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. With this power, the Carrera Cabriolet takes 3.9 seconds to accelerate from 0-60 mph in around 4.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 181 mph. The engine’s increased output and refined tuning aim to deliver improved performance without sacrificing efficiency.

How does the 2025 911 Carrera Cabriolet compare to the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 3LT Convertible?

The 2025 911 Carrera Cabriolet and Chevrolet Corvette Convertible cater to different preferences. The 911 offers refined handling and brand prestige, while the Corvette provides more power with a 495-horsepower V8 at a lower starting price of around $88,745. The 911 Carrera Convertible features a rear-engine layout and rear-wheel drive, whereas the Corvette uses a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration. Both deliver impressive performance, but the 911 leans more towards luxury and daily usability.

What’s the warranty coverage for the 2025 911 Carrera Cabriolet?

Porsche typically offers a 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a 4-year/50,000-mile powertrain warranty. Complimentary maintenance of one year or 10,000 miles is included.