Used Coupe for sale

What types of coupé cars are there?

It might seem like you can’t stray too far from the standard coupé template, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

To begin with, you’ll need to consider whether you need a two-door or a three-door coupé – the latter has a large hatchback-style boot opening to make loading bulky items easy, whereas the former has a narrower saloon-style opening.

You can even get cars that mix the styling cues of saloons and coupés, for example, BMW’s 4 Series Gran Coupé, which has a desirable design with an extra pair of doors for rear-seat passengers.

Compact coupés come in a range of shapes, from the rounded Audi TT to the sharper BMW Z4, which places the driver towards the rear of the car behind a longer bonnet.

Above mid-sized coupés are larger and more luxurious options, which can sometimes be referred to as grand tourers (GTs).

Popular coupé cars

German manufacturers have some of the widest ranges of coupés – BMW coupés start at the Z4 and 2 Series Coupé, and go all the way up to the 4 Series Coupé and 8 Series Coupé. Previously, there was a 6 Series Coupé, too.

Mercedes coupés are also extremely popular. You can pick from a C-Class Coupé, an E-Class Coupé or a newer CLE.

We’ve already mentioned the TT, but there are plenty of other Audi coupés to consider, such as the A5 and A7.

Because they’re designed to look sporty, they’re often available as true sports cars. Whether that’s a BMW M, a Mercedes-AMG or an Audi RS, you can pick your favourite car with even more power to keep up with other sports cars.

Coupé cabin and cargo space

You can pick from either end of the spectrum here. On the smaller end, there are models with just two seats and no storage behind them. Their boots can be compact and are often accessed via a narrower cutout in the body rather than a full hatchback boot lid.

Chances are you’re asking about cabin and cargo space because this is important to you, and we’re happy to report that there are coupés that remove the compromise altogether.

Take something like a BMW 4 Series – one of the best-driving cars in its class. In its standard coupé form, it has two rear seats and a reasonable amount of legroom.

Because of the sloping roofline, rear headroom can be more limited than in a saloon, but you’re probably not carrying two adults at all times.

The same car in Gran Coupé form has two extra doors to make access to the rear seats even easier, but it doesn’t lose its sleek design. It also has a middle rear seat, making it a five-seater.

The standard coupé has a 440-litre boot, which is already more than you’d get in a family hatchback, but the Gran Coupé has an extra 30 litres of space.

Coupé performance

Traditionally, coupés were sporty cars, so you would have had the choice of V6 and V8 engines and some impressive performance.

This is still true – there’s no shortage of coupés that can get to 62mph in well under five seconds, but the industry also realised that many drivers want the sporty looks without the added running costs.

For that reason, many coupés are also available with more modest engines, often 2.0 litres or less.

You can even get diesel coupés, so whether you go for a sensible and economical engine or a larger and quicker option, you’ll likely go further between fuel stops.

Many are also available with electrified powertrains, including hybrid and electric options. Electric motors can help the car feel quicker than it is, thanks to their instance throttle response.

Engines aside, coupés usually sit lower than other types of cars, so they have a lower centre of gravity which translates to a nimble and agile feel on the road.

Standout coupé features

The reason most buyers choose a used coupé car is because of the looks – they’re instantly recognisable for their streamlined design and are often seen as desirable models that people aspire to own.

Driving enthusiasts should consider suitable coupé models for their sporty handling, and because of their very nature, they’re often available with a range of driving modes and, sometimes, adjustable suspension settings to meet your driving style.

A less obvious standout feature is that, with the exception of the smallest models, coupés can have bigger boots than you expect. Coupled with rear seats, the best options can double as family cars.