Best Coupe Cars 2024

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Best coupe cars 2024

  • What are the best coupe cars?
  • We test and rate the contenders
  • Find a coupe for sale

While your neighbours might all be trading in their hatchbacks for SUVs, pick one of the best coupe cars and you'll certainly turn heads.

Coupes, with their two doors and elegant sloping roof often sell in relatively small numbers – so you won't park next to another in Waitrose car park – and nothing makes a statement like paying more for less.

Not that you'll need to drain your bank account to afford a chic coupe. A budget of just £10,000 will get you a choice of stylish coupes on sale on heycar, while £20,000 or £30,000 will get you the pick of the coupe car market.

And it's not all traditional two-door coupes, either. We have bigger, more practical (but just as desirable) models like the all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 6 and new-to-the-UK BYD Seal.

If you're ready to buy we've got over 1000 Used Coupe Cars for Sale, while if you want more choice, we have over 70,000 Used Cars for Sale. If you're looking to save money, check out our guide to the Best Car Deals. Otherwise read on for our pick of the best coupe cars you can buy in the UK today. 

Best coupe cars 2024

  1. BMW 4 Series
  2. Porsche 718 Cayman
  3. Bentley Continental GT
  4. Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe
  5. BYD Seal
  6. Hyundai Ioniq 6
  7. Ford Mustang
  8. Audi A7 Sportback
  9. BMW 8 Series
  10. Mercedes-Benz CLA

1. BMW 4 Series

Year launched: 2020

BMW 4 Series Review 2023 exterior driving front
9/10

The BMW 4 Series used to be little more than a BMW 3 Series with a rakish roofline and two fewer doors. But the latest model, which arrived in 2020, makes a bolder statement. Not only does it look quite considerably different to the 3 Series (apparently some people don't like the bold grille on the front), it also feels quite a lot sportier to drive.

We reckon the majority of buyers will opt for the sensible 420i and, to be honest, it's all you'd really need. It's an eager engine with low running costs, while there's also a 420d diesel for those high-mileage drivers. If you're after Porsche Cayman rivalling performance, though, go for the hot 440i, or even the incredible new M4 Competition.

While the exterior design of the BMW 4 Series might be proving a little controversial, there's lots to like about the interior. It feels impeccably finished while all models are well equipped. Leather seats are standard across the range, as well as the brand's slick media system with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

2. Porsche 718 Cayman

Year launched: 2016

Porsche 718 Cayman Review 2023: exterior front three quarter photo of the Porsche 718 Cayman on the road
9/10

We could have included any number of Porsches here – from the 911 to the Panamera or even, at a push, the electric Taycan – but we actually think the relatively affordable 718 Cayman is one of the most appealing cars the Stuttgart brand sells.

For enthusiastic drivers, the 718 Cayman is only really matched by the likes of the Alpine A110 and Lotus Evora – and they're two very focussed (slightly too focussed) sports cars. The Cayman's interior is superb, provided you have no need to carry more than one passenger. The beauty of the Cayman is you can comfortably drive it every day.

People will think you've won the lottery (it's a Porsche after all) but it won't cost a great deal to run – both the standard Cayman and Cayman S are capable of early-30s MPG. You'll need a budget of £40,000 to buy one, but you can spend that kind of cash on a Golf GTI these days.

3. Bentley Continental GT

Year launched: 2018

Bentley Continental GT Exterior Back
9/10

Alright, let's chuck the budget out of the window for a moment and fantasise about what you could buy if your lotto numbers came up this weekend. The Bentley Continental GT is a gloriously sumptuous coupe, with a cabin that'll never fail to distract you from whatever's going on in the outside world.

Of course, being a Bentley, the Continental GT is as much about performance as it is luxury. There are two engine to pick from – a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with 550PS and 770Nm (actually our motor of choice, the consumer champions we are), or a 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 with 635PS and 900Nm. All are four-wheel drive and come as standard an eight-speed automatic gearbox (you don't spend this kinda money to change gears yourself).

Talking of money, you'll spend upwards of £155,000 for a Bentley Continental GT, and that's before you go to town on the extensive options list. You'll need a budget of around half that for a cherished example from heycar.

4. Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe

Year launched: 2014

Mercedes S-Class Coupe (2014-2021) Review: exterior front three quarter photo of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe on the road
9/10

While you might lust after a Bentley Continental GT, we reckon the smart money actually goes on Mercedes-Benz's flagship coupe, the S-Class Coupe. It's based on the four-door saloon but with a slightly sleeker design (and with it, slightly less interior space).

For front-seat passengers, though, it's one of the most comfortable cars on sale. Its seats will keep you feeling fresh for hours on end, while the air suspension isolates you from bumps in the road. AMG models even come with cameras that scan the road ahead and lean the car into bends to improve agility.

You can no longer buy a new S-Class Coupe (the AMG-GT 4-Door kinda caters for that market), but around £100,000 will pick you up one of the last S63 AMG models with the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. 

5. BYD Seal

Year launched: 2024

BYD Seal Review 2024
9/10

The BYD Seal is probably the best electric car you’ve not heard of. It challenges the Ioniq 6 and Tesla Model 3, and has learned from the firm’s first two EVs (the Atto 3 and Dolphin) to offer a much improved all-round experience.

Inside you’ll find a refined, premium cabin packed to the rafters with equipment as standard and everything feels very well put together.

The dash is dominated by a mega 15.6-inch infotainment display which has a party trick - you can rotate it 90 degrees, giving you the option between landscape and portrait orientations. And if you don’t get on with BYD’s interface, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also supported.

It’s pleasing to drive and with a 360-degree camera fitted as standard, parking it isn’t too much of an issue. Range is also pleasingly competitive, with the entry-level model offering up to 354 miles from a charge, while the more powerful Seal Excellence trim (AWD, 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds) has a quoted maximum of 323 miles.

6. Hyundai Ioniq 6

Year launched: 2022

Hyundai Ioniq 6 Review: dynamic driving
8/10

Hyundai’s slippery, all-electric Ioniq 6 coupe has a svelte style and impressive range. Its unique look will turn heads and it helps towards the 338 miles of maximum range the Ioniq 6 can eke from its 77.4kWh battery. You can also recharge from 10% to 80% in as little as 18 minutes.

Plus it's cheaper than some of its rivals too - such as the BMW i4 - which makes the Ioniq 6 an attractive option for those looking for something outside the norm.

You also get much better interior quality than say, in a Tesla, with comfortable seats and plenty of kit included, such as heated seats and steering wheel. Tech-fans will also love the Ioniq 6 with its pair of 12.3-inch displays, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay Support, and wireless phone charging pad. 

On the road the Ioniq 6 is refined making it easy to drive, and it's at its best as a long distance cruiser. 

7. Ford Mustang

Year launched: 2015

Ford Mustang UK
8/10

If you're not fussed about a premium badge, Ford's fab pony car is a performance car bargain. You can get a Mustang with a fairly sensible 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine but we wouldn't bother – go the whole hog with the 5.0-litre V8.

The Mustang's interior might not be as cossetting as an Audi A5's but it's guaranteed to turn more heads. Despite its below-par interior plastics, it actually feels like a much pricier car than it really is.

A new one starts from around £44,000 and values are pretty strong, but you can still save money by looking at the used market. Around £30,000 will get you an early V8 model.

8. Audi A7 Sportback

Year launched: 2018

Audi A7 Sportback silver on road
8/10

Just like Mercedes and BMW, you can pick up an Audi in just about any size and shape as you could possibly want. As its name suggests, the Audi A7 sits between the A6 and A8, with coupe-like looks but saloon car practicality.

It's a quietly classy choice, in typical Audi fashion, with an interior that isn't matched by anything this side of a Bentley Continental GT.

Thanks to its huge dimensions, it's not as sporty to drive as you might expect, but if you spend a lot of your time on the motorway, you could certainly do a lot worse than an A7 Sportback.

9. BMW 8 Series

Year launched: 2018

BMW 8 Series Review 2023: Driving Front
8/10

Would you like your BMW coupe to be small (2 Series), medium (4 Series) or large (8 Series)? The BMW 8 Series replaced the old 6 Series, with the new name signifying its upwards shuffle in the brand's line-up.

While it's not quite as luxurious as a Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe, it is more of a driver's car. Despite that, we reckon the six-cylinder diesel (badged the 840d) is actually the one to go for. Leave the V8 petrol engines to those with shares in oil companies.

While the standard 8 Series Coupe is relatively spacious, BMW also offers a four-door Gran Coupe version, which loses little of the 8's appeal. And, for those rare sunny days we get in Britain, there's also the 8 Series Convertible.

10. Mercedes-Benz CLA

Year launched: 2019

Mercedes CLA review 2023 side exterior
8/10

Proving you don't need to splash the cash on a desirable premium coupe, the Mercedes-Benz CLA is essentially a slightly swoopier version of the popular A-Class hatchback.

Just like the A-Class, it's got a superb interior, with super sharp infotainment screens (plural) and clever augmented reality navigation. Even with four doors, access to the rear of the CLA is a little tight, and the boot is a slightly awkward shape (although it can carry a fair amount of shopping).

There's a wide variety of engines on offer, including a plug-in hybrid and even hot AMG models. The most affordable CLA 180, with its 1.3-litre petrol engine, is punchy enough – but we'd stretch to a 2.0-litre CLA 200 at the very least.

Best Coupe Car FAQs

Andy Brady

Written by

Andy Brady

A coupe is traditionally a stylish car with two doors and a sloping rear roofline. They were popular in the 1990s with cars like the original Ford Puma (not the new SUV model), Peugeot 406 Coupe and Toyota Celica. While the traditional coupe market has turned its attention towards SUVs, a coupe is still a very desirable choice. There's a wide range on sale, and you can now buy a four-door coupe or even coupe-SUVs like the Mercedes GLC Coupe and Porsche Cayenne Coupe.

Traditionalists will argue that a coupe is a two-door model, with examples including the Toyota GT86 and BMW 2 Series Coupe. The definition has stretched in recent years, though, and you can now buy four-door coupes (such as the Mercedes CLA Coupe) and even coupe SUVs like the BMW X6, Audi Q3 Sportback and Renault Arkana.

With this stretched definition, the boundaries between coupes and traditional SUV or saloon cars is blurring. Generally, coupes have a more rakish roofline, while they often have a smaller boot than the equivalent saloon or SUV. Many coupe buyers see that as a small price to pay for the practicality on offer.

The cheapest coupe you can buy in the UK is actually an electric car – the Smart EQ Fortwo. It's not exactly a sleek sports car but it is a stylish two-seater that's priced from around £18,000 for a nearly-new model.

If you're looking for a more traditional coupe, the new Toyota GR86 is priced from around £30,000 (while its predecessor, the Toyota GT86, represents excellent value for money as a used buy). The most affordable coupe SUV is the Kia XCeed, which starts from just under £22,000 new, while the Renault Arkana is around £25,000.

The best coupe money can buy is probably something like a Bentley Continental GT – although, with a start price of around £140,000, you'll need deep pockets. There are more affordable options which we rate highly, though – the BMW 2 Series Coupe is one of our favourite new cars and it starts from a much more reasonable £36,000.

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