Best affordable coupé cars

Whether it’s a sporty set of wheels for yourself or something that needs to serve the family too, coupé cars are some of the best-looking models on the road.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that coupés are more expensive than regular hatchback and saloon models, but that couldn’t be further from the truth, and there are plenty of affordable models to pick from.

We’ve rounded up some of the cheapest coupé cars to buy and run, with plenty of choice ranging from practical to outright sporty.

smart fortwo coupé

The smart fortwo coupé is one of the smallest cars you can buy, and its small dimensions make it great for getting around town.

It’s especially easy to manoeuvre and park, and you’ll often see them in cities parked facing into the kerb, rather than alongside it like any other car.

It was available for many years with small, punchy petrol engines, but it’s now an electric car, which makes it more fun to drive.

It only produces 80hp, but it’s also just over a tonne in weight – compared with many electric cars which are two tonnes – so the instant response of the electric motor makes it feel quick.

Despite the small 17.6kWh, you should be able to expect around 100 miles of range, which covers many people’s commutes.

Hyundai i20

If you’re after a three-door version of the Hyundai i20, you’ll need to look at a 2014-2020 model, because the 2020-onward model is only available as a five-door hatchback.

That’s no bad thing, though, because Hyundai has become synonymous with high-quality and reliable cars, which have the backing of a five-year warranty and don’t have a mileage limit.

There are 1.25-litre and 1.4-litre petrols, but it’s the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol that we’d recommend. It comes with 100hp or 120hp, so it’s quite nippy, but it’s also very efficient.

As with most coupés, getting into the back is done by folding the front seats forward, but once you’re there there’s plenty of headroom, and legroom is also good for this size of car.

SEAT Ibiza

The SEAT Ibiza is another small hatchback that’s available in a three-door coupé form and makes for a great choice for first-time buyers.

It shares many mechanical parts with the Volkswagen Polo but is usually cheaper to buy, despite its sporty appearance.

There’s a lot of choice when it comes to the Ibiza, like budget-friendly SE trims, sporty-looking FR trims and more luxurious Xcellence trims, plus a mix of petrol and diesel power, but they’re all just as cheap to insure.

Although the coupé version looks more compact than the regular hatchback, it still has the same 292-litre boot, which is about average for this type of car.

Volkswagen Scirocco

If you’re after something more eye-catching, the Volkswagen Scirocco blends coupé-like styling into a slightly bigger hatchback, which makes it more suitable for drivers covering more miles each year.

Unique features inside like a trio of dials mounted on top of the dashboard – one of which is dedicated to the turbo boost pressure – remind drivers that this is not just a regular hatchback.

The diesels are quick and could easily achieve more than 50mpg on a long run, but the petrol engines are more powerful and better suited to this car’s nature.

There’s even a Scirocco R, which has up to 280hp – good for 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds, or 5.3 seconds with the smooth-shifting DSG gearbox.

BMW 218i

For the true sports car experience, the rear-wheel-drive BMW 2 Series fits the bill, even in its most basic 218i form, where the 136hp 1.5-litre petrol engine could get up to 40mpg.

Most buyers tend to go for the range-topping M Sport trim, so there are usually plenty of those to pick from when buying new, but even mid-spec Sport models are well-equipped.

There are also more powerful 2.0-litre petrol and diesel models, plus a couple of performance models including the M235i/M240i and M2.

You won’t have to give up on practicality, because the 390-litre boot is the same size as a normal hatchback like a Volkswagen Golf.

Audi TT

Audi no longer builds the TT, so buying a used model means you could be part of a select few that drive the sporty coupé.

Inside, the dashboard is a minimal affair, with neat styling upgrades like controls for the climate control being integrated into the air vents.

Some models also have a fully configurable digital dashboard, which can show things like maps alongside your speed.

Most models have a 2.0-litre engine, including the sporty TTS which has up to 320hp. It’s the same engine as you’ll find in a Volkswagen Golf R, but it’s actually much quicker to 62mph, taking 4.4 seconds (compared with 4.7 seconds).

The rear seats are best reserved for children, and convertible models have them removed altogether, so it’s truly a driver’s car.

If you’re keener on the looks and driveability of chunkier cars (without going too over the top!), read our article on the most affordable small SUVs that are perfect for any budget.