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Test Miles is America’s premium syndicated automotive news service for broadcast, led by veteran journalists Nik Miles and Javier Mota, delivering trusted car stories in both English and Spanish

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BMW’s Electric Powerhouse: The 2025 iX Lineup Proves Luxury EVs Can Still Thrill

May 13, 2025 7:00 pm

BMW’s Electric Powerhouse: The 2025 iX Lineup Proves Luxury EVs Can Still Thrill

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Once upon a time—say, circa Sinatra and sideburns—owning a convertible was shorthand for having made it. It was the golden ticket to freedom, sunshine, and possibly an unflattering tan line. But somewhere between the rise of the SUV and the fall of patience for fiddly folding roofs, Americans quietly moved on.

So, what happened? Where did all the convertibles go? More importantly—who’s still making them, and why should you care?

What’s killing the convertible?
First, let’s look at the numbers. In 2006, convertibles made up about 2% of all U.S. vehicle sales. Today? Try less than half a percent. That’s not a dip. That’s a nosedive with the top down and no parachute.

And yet—curiously—it’s not about the weather. Americans still enjoy the sun, the breeze, and the romantic notion of a car that lets you feel the elements. What changed was the shape of our fantasy.

We traded coupes and cabrios for crossovers and cargo space. The tall-riding SUV offers panoramic views, safety clout, and weekend versatility. It fits the dog, the tent, and your significant other’s shoe collection. Meanwhile, the average convertible fits... two golf clubs and a mild sunburn.

What about sunroofs?
Here’s the kicker: modern panoramic glass roofs deliver 80% of the open-air experience with 0% of the hassle. No leaks. No rogue wasps. No awkward hairdos. Just press a button and enjoy the light show—minus the wind tunnel effect.

Add to that the engineering reality. Lopping off a car’s roof without making it drive like overcooked spaghetti isn’t easy. It takes structural reinforcements, rollover protection, and clever chassis tuning. That adds cost—and carmakers are no longer in the mood to spend money on low-volume indulgences.

So, who’s still making them?
Surprisingly, a few brands are holding the line—and doing it with flair.

Ford Mustang Convertible – Still growling, still affordable, and still unmistakably American.

Mazda Miata (MX-5) – Lightweight, rear-wheel drive, and proof that you don’t need 500 horsepower to grin like an idiot.

BMW Z4 – Slick German styling with a drop-top attitude.

BMW M440i Convertible – For those who want a little more straight-line Bavarian muscle with their Vitamin D.

If you’ve got a bit more coin and a thirst for theatre:

Porsche 911 Cabriolet – The definitive sports car, now with built-in sunburn.

Maserati GranCabrio Trofeo – All drama, no compromise.

MINI Cooper S Convertible – The cheekiest option of the bunch. Iconic design, surprising agility, and yes—the roof folds in 18 seconds. You could decide to call in “sick” and be on the coast before HR even clocks in.

Bonus points: MINI’s “Always Open Timer” shows exactly how long you’ve driven with the top down. Think of it as your tan logbook.

Any surprises?
Yes. Mercedes still plays in this space, and they do it with their typical cinematic flair. The AMG SL-Class folds its roof like a Bond gadget—luxury, horsepower, and style in a single stroke.

Audi’s S5 Cabriolet is another quiet standout, balancing all-weather daily usability with wind-in-your-hair credibility.

But why bother at all?
Good question. No convertible will ever win the practicality Olympics. But that’s not their job. Convertibles aren’t tools—they’re toys. Emotional machines built not for drywall runs, but for chasing sunsets. They’re here to remind you that driving can still be an experience—not just a commute.

In a world of giant touchscreens and adaptive cruise control, there’s something stubbornly analog about a car that opens itself to the sky. A reminder that, once in a while, it’s okay to do something entirely because it feels good.

So… are convertibles dead?
Hardly. They’re endangered, yes. But among enthusiasts, romantics, and the eternally young-at-heart, convertibles remain a cult classic. The audience may be smaller—but it’s also fiercely loyal.

For those who get it, it’s not about speed or specs or spreadsheets. It’s about feeling the breeze, seeing the sky, and hearing the engine bounce off canyon walls.

And if that doesn’t move you… well, there’s always the crossover aisle at your local dealership.

📢Enjoyed this article? Stay in the driver’s seat with more automotive insights! Follow @NikJMiles and @TestMiles on social media for the latest news, reviews, and behind-the-scenes exclusives. Don’t miss out—join the conversation today!

Why Americans Fell Out of Love With Convertibles—and Who’s Still Keeping the Dream Alive

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Automakers winced when former President Trump announced his newly “reformed” tariffs—let’s call them Tariffs 2.0. What sounded like another nationalist bark came with teeth: a 25% slap on imported vehicles and parts, but with a twist—a bouquet of incentives for automakers who build and source in the United States. The message? Assemble in America or pay the price.

While the global giants scramble to readjust supply chains and lawyer up, GMC already had a wildcard parked in the driveway: the Yukon AT4 Ultimate with Super Cruise. Built in Texas, powered by a good ol’ American 6.2-liter V8, and specced for full-size utility and luxury, this SUV sidesteps the tariff chaos entirely—and might just be the first vehicle to turn trade policy into a competitive edge.

What exactly are Tariffs 2.0?

Trump’s revised policy isn’t just about punishment. It’s a carrot-and-stick model: imports still face a stiff 25% duty, but U.S.-built vehicles with domestic components now qualify for rebates, tax credits, and a peculiar clause that prevents being taxed twice on metal content. Vehicles that meet the criteria could receive up to 3.75% back on their retail price in the first year alone. That’s nearly $3,600 on a $96,000 Yukon—enough to fund a lavish family road trip or, more likely, undercut imported rivals at the dealership.

So what makes the Yukon so special?

Let’s start with what it isn’t: imported, tariff-laden, or half-committed to local production. Unlike many “American” vehicles built in Mexico or stitched together with foreign powertrains, the Yukon is as red-blooded as SUVs come. Its engine, drivetrain, and final assembly all take place in the U.S.—which means buyers aren’t footing the bill for geopolitical gamesmanship.

Under the hood, you get 420 horsepower and 8,400 pounds of towing capacity. On the tech side, there’s Super Cruise—GM’s semi-autonomous hands-free driving system, now fully functional on thousands of miles of mapped roads. Add massaging seats, a 16.8-inch infotainment system, and 18-speaker Bose audio, and you have something that doesn’t just feel like luxury—it is luxury. Just cleverly disguised in camo cladding and political foresight.

Who didn’t get the memo?

Here’s where things get brutal. Take the Toyota RAV4 XLE, built in Japan. A $4,400 tariff hike could push it out of the "affordable" zone. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class? Expect a $9,000 premium. Even some American-assembled vehicles aren’t safe: the BMW X5, built in South Carolina, still faces tariffs on its German engine—resulting in an estimated $2,000 bump. Suddenly, "assembled in the U.S." doesn’t mean much if the parts arrive in a Lufthansa crate.

Is this policy brilliant—or just chaos?

There’s something rather Shakespearean about it all. Automakers who offshored to save a buck now find themselves outfoxed by a 5,500-pound GMC with massage chairs. It’s less about nationalism and more about strategy. GM didn’t bet on patriotism—they bet on policy foresight. In doing so, they turned the Yukon from a capable SUV into a tariff-proof weapon.

The net effect? Domestic automakers who invested in U.S. plants look smart. Those with global supply webs look exposed. Expect prices on imported models to rise sharply in the short term, while U.S.-built vehicles like the Yukon remain steady—or even slightly discounted, thanks to those sweet manufacturing credits.

Should buyers act now?

In a word, yes. If you’re in the market for a full-size SUV that hauls a trailer, drives itself on the highway, and won’t be collateral damage in the latest trade war, the Yukon AT4 Ultimate makes a compelling case. And as more automakers scramble to meet the new guidelines, expect vehicle availability and pricing to fluctuate.

Is this a long-term trend?

Likely. In three years, expect a reshuffling of global production footprints. More factories in Tennessee. Fewer final assemblies in Tokyo. Brands that cling to global supply chains may be forced to justify ballooning MSRPs. Meanwhile, GM and other forward-thinkers will keep smiling through quarterly earnings.

Bottom line: The Yukon didn’t just weather Tariffs 2.0—it exploited them. In an era of geopolitical posturing and shifting rules, building at home isn’t just patriotic—it’s pragmatic. And GMC didn’t need a policy memo to see this one coming.

Enjoyed this article? Stay in the driver’s seat with more automotive insights! Follow @NikJMiles and @TestMiles on social media for the latest news, reviews, and behind-the-scenes exclusives. Don’t miss out—join the conversation today!

Tariffs 2.0 Are Here — And the Yukon Just Beat the System

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Hi there, I am Nik- contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots in a piece of classical Latin literature from 45 BC, making it over 2000 years old. Richard McClintock, a Latin professor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, looked up one of the more obscure Latin words, consectetur, from a Lorem Ipsum passage, and going through the cites of the word in classical literature, discovered the undoubtable source. Lorem Ipsum comes from sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33 of “de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum” (The Extremes of Good and Evil) by Cicero, written in 45 BC. This book is a treatise on the theory of ethics, very popular during the Renaissance. The first line of Lorem Ipsum, “Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet..”, comes from a line in section 1.10.32.

On this travel blog, you will find lots of curated travel itineraries for the USA and India, road trip ideas, National Park Travel Tips, and lots of destination guides from Places I visited!
On this travel blog, you will find lots of curated travel itineraries for the USA and India, road trip ideas, National Park Travel Tips, and lots of destination guides from Places I visited!