Best Coupes of 2019
What coupes might lack in practicality, they make up for with their style and fun-to-drive nature.
Coupes are not the most practical cars, but we like them because they know how to have fun. While these two-door vehicles require you to make compromises for things such as rear-seat space and cargo room, they do so in the name of flashier styling and an overall focus on driving enjoyment above all else.
Here are the best coupes for other model years: 2022 | 2021 | 2020
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Few coupes deliver style, elegance, and comfort as well as the 2019 E-class. Its sublime driving experience makes it one of the best coupes you can buy today. As such, it made it to our Editors' Choice list and won a 10Best Cars award this year. Everything about the E450 coupe is designed to pamper the driver, with a solid feeling that inspires confidence in a way that few cars on the road today can match. From the way the suspension filters out rough roads to the smooth delivery of power from its 362-hp twin-turbo V-6, this coupe makes even the longest drives seem pleasurable.
Mercedes-AMG E53
The 2019 E53 takes everything that is good about the Mercedes-Benz E450 and turns it up to 11. It starts under the hood, with a 3.0-liter inline-six (with both a turbocharger and an electric supercharger) that makes 429 horsepower. In our hands, it launched the car from zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. On its exterior, the E53 bulges and curves in all the right places. Inside, it is handsomely appointed. Splurge a bit, and you can outfit it with exotic wood trim, massaging front seats, and even a fragrance atomizer. We love the way the E53 synthesizes luxury with performance; it's one of the best coupes you can buy at any price. For these reasons—and many others too numerous to relate here—we placed the E53 on our 10Best Cars list as well as on our Editors' Choice list.
Ford Mustang
This classic coupe has reinvented itself several times over, yet we think the 2019 Ford Mustang is so good we gave it an Editors' Choice award and added the GT and Bullitt models to our 10Best Cars list. The Mustang combines retro styling with modern technology in a way that honors its past while looking to the future. We love the base GT and its 460-hp V-8 mated to a six-speed manual. But if that's not enough, there's always the Bullitt special edition with its 480 horsepower. As wild as these Ford Mustangs are, they're still great daily-driving partners thanks to functional interiors, good outward visibility, and exemplary handling. These attributes combine to make the Mustang family some of the best coupes available.
BMW M2
The BMW M2 pushes the 2-series lineup into near legendary status—not to mention a place on our 10Best Cars list. Its 405-hp straight-six would overpower most two-doors of this size, but the M2 is more than capable of putting all that power to the ground. Take your choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed automatic. In our hands, an M2 with the automatic transmission went from zero to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds. The ride, however, can be punishing over rough roads. Buyers shopping for an impressive performance coupe in a small package won't want to skip a test drive of this Editors' Choice BMW.
BMW 2-Series
The BMW 2-series epitomizes the sacrifices that a sport coupe requires. Its back seats are tight, and the trunk isn’t much better. But from behind the wheel, the 2-series is engaging to drive in a way that no sedan can match. It's quick and nimble and reminds us of the great BMWs of the past, earning it an Editors' Choice nod. Even the base 230i is a joy to drive thanks to its responsive 248-hp turbocharged four-cylinder and available manual transmission. In our testing, it went from zero to 60 mph in a very fast 5.3 seconds. Got a need for speed? Then step up to the 335-hp M240i, which hit 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. With performance and great handling, there’s no doubt the BMW 2-series is one of the best coupes on sale.
Audi A5
Less of a compromise than most coupes, the 2019 Audi A5 has a spacious interior, sizable trunk, and folding rear seats for the occasional awkwardly long piece of cargo. What really makes it one of the best coupes and the recipient of one of our Editors' Choice awards, however, is how it feels on the road. Its 252-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter engine delivers un expected level of performance and admirable fuel efficiency. Precise steering and the grip of standard Quattro all-wheel drive give the A5 a lively feel you might not expect considering how compliant it is around town. Top-quality materials highlight the cabin's clean and modern aesthetic. Every element is assembled with precision, but there is a certain degree of Germanic coldness to the Audi A5 that leaves some of us wishing for a warmer, more luxurious feel.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The 2019 C-class may be the entry-level coupe in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, but it still channels the style and presence of its pricier siblings. Even the base C300 looks elegant and purposeful. There's no letdown inside, either, as all C-class coupes have beautifully trimmed cabins that look every bit as polished as the exterior. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is powerful but a bit coarse to our ears. In our testing, a C300 with all-wheel drive (rear-wheel drive is standard) went from zero to 60 mph in a zippy 5.5 seconds. From the soft leather seats to the glimmering wood trim, there's nothing entry-level about the way this Editors' Choice coupe looks and feels.
BMW 8-Series
Returning after a long hiatus, BMW’s flagship 8-series coupe is back as one of the best coupes on the market. Its seductive lines turn heads on the road, and it backs up those looks with a 523-hp twin turbo V-8. An M850i coupe we tested laid down a zero-to-60-mph time of just 3.3 seconds. It can handle, too, thanks to adaptive dampers and rear-wheel steering, among other things. The 8-series cabin is sumptuously appointed but admittedly a bit small and hard to see out of for such a large car. Such is the price you pay for driving one of the most exclusive and potent coupes BMW has ever built.
Lexus LC
Few coupes on the road today attract attention like the curvaceous 2019 Lexus LC. Its concept-car styling generates more stares than anything this side of a Lamborghini, yet it's comfortable enough to be a daily driver. Beyond its movie-star looks, the LC500 delivers the goods with a 471-hp naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8 that sounds more NASCAR than grand tourer. In our testing, it hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. There's a hybrid version, too: the LC500h. We saw 30 mpg in our highway fuel-economy test, which is less than its EPA estimate of 35 mpg. With one of the best coupe cabins available, however, the Lexus LC is a rare coupe that combines luxury, style, and performance in a way that makes you feel special every time you get behind the wheel.
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