What are the best coupes?

If you’re searching for a car that looks great and feels a bit special, a coupe could be just what you need. You might get more space and lower costs with a hatchback but will it give you the feelgood factor you get with a coupe? Will it heck! The best coupe cars are the equivalent of a posh meal or a nice holiday – not essential but a brilliant way to give yourself a treat. Here, we’ve selected our top 10 coupe cars – each one is a sleek two-door model that’s stylish, desirable and good to drive.

How we chose these cars

We’ve used our expertise to put together a list of what we think are the best used coupes you can buy. Some are sporty two-seaters while others are luxurious four-seaters and there are options to suit a variety of budgets. Our focus is on used cars, although many of our these cars are also available brand-new.

1. BMW 4 Series Coupe

BMW and coupes go together like strawberries and cream. It’s a pairing that just works. In fact, it’s hard to think of a superior modern-day coupe for the money than the latest BMW 4 Series. It’s striking to look at, sporty yet luxurious to drive and it has an interior that’s got space for four and all the latest gadgets. It’s got the lot. 

There are lots of versions to choose from, and each one has plenty of power. Some are seriously quick. Need something a smidge more practical? There’s also a version with four side doors called 4 Series Gran Coupe. And If you’re not sold on that huge front grille, the previous model is almost as brilliant but has a more restrained look.

2. Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe

Mercedes-Benz has been building elegant, high-end coupe cars for a very, very long time. You could say it’s mastered the art. For evidence, look no further than the Mercedes-benz E-Class Coupe – a big, beautiful coupe that’s supremely relaxing to travel in. 

If you think the E-Class Coupe looks good on the outside, wait until you see the inside. The swooping dashboard design and sumptuous materials give it a luxury feel and it’s a tech-lover’s dream, with huge display screens and some very advanced features. Sold new between 2017 and 2023, there’s a choice of petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid power.

3. Audi A5 Coupe

The Audi A5 Coupe is another premium-brand coupe from Germany. It’s a similar size to the BMW 4 Series we kicked off with, and it’s guaranteed to give you a similar feelgood factor thanks to its smooth, reassuring drive and top-quality interior. 

Comfort is the A5 Coupe’s speciality and it’s especially practical for a two-door coupe, with enough space for four six-footers and a larger-than-average boot. Every version is very well equipped and, as with the 4 Series, there’s also the option of a five-door version (in this case called the A5 Sportback) that’s even more versatile.

4. Ford Mustang

You don’t need us to tell you that the Ford Mustang is an American legend. It’s one of the most-famous – and longest-running – models of all time and the latest version is one of the best yet. 

It looks – and sounds – like nothing else, with its retro ‘muscle car’ looks and bellowing 5.0-litre V8 engine. It’s fast and fun to drive, as you’d expect, but that big engine means it goes through petrol at an alarming rate. Rear-seat space is tight, too, but there’s plenty of space up-front and the interior design, like the exterior, has bags of old-school charm.

5. Lexus LC

There are quite a few luxury coupes out there, but look beyond the usual British, Italian and German suspects and there’s a Japanese alternative that offers something quite different to the rest, and something quite special. It’s the Lexus LC – a large, luxurious coupe that looks like a futuristic concept car made real. 

Lexus is famous for the quality of its cars and the LC doesn’t disappoint, with an interior that  feels beautifully crafted. Rear-seat space is limited but those in front are treated to a sumptuous environment. Performance is effortless, whether you go for the V8 petrol or V6 hybrid version, and because it’s a Lexus the LC is likely to be extremely reliable.

6. Porsche 718 Cayman

If you’re looking for a sporty-two seat coupe they don’t get much better than the Porsche 718 Cayman. It’s a wonderfully rewarding car to drive, with outstanding performance and the kind of precision and balance through corners that only a thoroughbred sports car can give you.
 
The sense of a brilliantly engineered car continues inside, with faultless quality, sharp design and two extremely comfortable seats. There’s a small shelf for luggage behind those seats, as well as a reasonable boot and another storage space under the bonnet. Running costs won’t be cheap but the Cayman is a class act and considering it gives you the full Porsche experience it’s pretty good value overall.

7. BMW 2 Series Coupe

Yep, another BMW coupe. The simple fact is that most car brands don’t make coupes any more, but BMW currently makes three! The 2 Series Coupe is its smallest and least expensive coupe but it’s anything but a poor relation. It’s a lot of fun to drive, looks great and has an interior that feels as classy and high-tech as the brand’s other models. There’s space for four and a decent boot, too.

One of the great things about the 2 Series is that you don’t need to go for one of the powerful top-of-the-range models to get a car that feels a bit special – every model is well-equipped, usefully fast and feels like a high-quality product.

8. Audi TT Coupe

There aren’t many modern cars you could accurately describe as ‘iconic’ but the Audi TT is one of them. Three different versions were produced between 1999 and 2023, and all of them are very desirable thanks to their blend of unique design, premium feel and sensible ownership costs. 

Lots of different versions were available, with luxurious and sporty versions at one end of the range and surprisingly affordable ones at the other. And while you might think of the TT as something of a fashion item, all but the earliest models are also very good to drive, blending sharp handling with a comfortable ride.

9. Toyota GR86

Toyota makes a lot of very sensible cars but the Toyota GR86 is more of a heart-over-head purchase, as a coupe should be. It’s a back-to-basics sports coupe with rear-wheel drive and a revvy petrol engine and while it’s not mega-quick it has the ability to put a real smile on your face thanks to its responsive, involving feel on the road. 

The bad news is that the GR86 was only on sale new for a short time in the UK – and because it’s such a desirable car any used examples command strong prices. Even so, considering how much fun you get per pound, we still think it’s a bargain.

10. Bentley Continental GT

If buying yourself a coupe is a treat, then the Bentley Continental GT is the ultimate treat. Few cars on the road have such presence, or feel so luxurious inside. The driving experience it gives you is remarkable, too, with phenomenal performance and the kind of quiet and comfort that make that never-ending drive to your holiday cottage in Cornwall a breeze.  

None of this comes cheap, of course. The latest model (pictured) went on sale in 2024 with a starting price of more than £180,000 and most buyers will spend thousands more to personalise their car. You can pick up the previous model (and the one before that) for a lot less, however, giving you a similarly prestigious and impressive coupe for less cash. Go on, treat yourself!