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Best New Coupes of 2023 and 2024

With an extra measure of style and verve, today’s coupes range from sporty to luxurious and everything in between—and these two-doors are our favorites.

By Frankie Cruz
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Illustration by Ryan Olbrysh|Car and Driver

The definition of coupe continues to evolve, as many automakers pin this designation to their low-slung four-door cars and fastback SUVs. Maybe we’re just a bunch of old coots yelling at clouds, but we categorize coupes as cars with two doors (although in rare cases, we include cars with fewer than four forward-hinged doors, such as the long-gone Mazda RX-8 and recently departed Hyundai Veloster) and a cabin protected by a permanent overhead structure.

By our characterization, the coupe body style covers a wide range of models that includes bona fide sports cars such as the Toyota GR Supra and Porsche 911 to grand tourers like the BMW 8-series and Lexus LC. All coupes may share a certain level of (im)practicality, but different subsets of coupes vary in the amount of driver engagement, dynamic poise, and passenger comfort they offer.

The diverse nature of today’s coupes is why our detailed testing regimen is so pivotal to today’s car buyers. Digging through so much data can be an overwhelming experience, which is why we’ve done the work for you. We’ve combed through the numbers and spent time behind the wheel of just about every coupe out there in order to pinpoint today’s standout coupes by awarding these models a place on our 2023 Editors' Choice list.

Here are the best coupes for other model years: 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019

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BMW 2-Series

bmw 2 series at 2023 lightning lap
Marc Urbano|Car and Driver

The fun-size BMW 2-series is an entry-level luxury car with big thrust. Sold as a coupe only, the 230i and M240i have vastly different power levels, but are both offered with either rear- or all-wheel-drive. The 230i employs a turbocharged 255-hp inline-four that it shares with the Toyota Supra 2.0 and a host of other BMW products. The M240i comes with the far more entertaining turbocharged 382-hp inline-six engine. Sadly, no manual transmission is offered. Still, BMW’s smallest car’s recent redesign has wrought a deceptively quick ride, with solid braking and a chassis that loves the twisties. Although it's grown in size, its rear seat space is smaller than before. However, the most important aspect of the 2-series remains true in this generation: it rewards spirited driving at a reasonable price—particularly in four-cylinder, 230i form. There is a more rear-passenger-friendly four-door wearing a 2-series badge: it’s known as the Gran Coupe but it’s built on a completely different front-drive platform that has yet to win us over. We review that model separately.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

BMW M4

2023 bmw m4 csl
BMW

As the two-door version of the M3 sedan, the M4 has high levels of comfort, luxury, and daily usability—and a reasonably roomy rear seat should you need them. Power and grip are two areas where the BMW M4 shines. The standard M4 comes with rear-wheel drive, a six-speed manual transmission, and a fiery 473-hp twin-turbo inline-six engine; M4 Competition models have 503 horsepower. Both models can be had with an optional eight-speed automatic, the only transmission sold with the optional xDrive all-wheel-drive system. There’s even a new track-attack version, the 543-hp M4 CSL that deletes the rear seat for weight savings. An overwhelming number of driving modes that control powertrain-and-chassis configurability complicate finding a setup you’re happy with. That complaint aside, the M4 is one special automobile. Lots of power, tons of torque, and an available manual transmission remind us of what made M cars so damn good a long time ago.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

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Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

2020 chevrolet camaro zl1 front
Car and Driver

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 walks the thin line that separates where the everyday meets the racetrack. Using the everyday Camaro (reviewed separately) as a building block, the tornado that is the ZL1 makes the mighty 455-hp Camaro LT1 and SS trims feel like comparative wind gusts. Credit the ZL1's trim-exclusive 650-hp supercharged V-8, as well as its wide Goodyear F1 SuperCar tires that are as sticky as s'mores. An available 1LE performance package awakes an even mightier beast, with the package adding even wider and stickier tires, adjustable camber plates at each corner, and Multimatic's Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve dampers. Think of the Camaro ZL1 as a NASCAR Cup Series racer for the street.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

Chevrolet Corvette

2021 chevrolet corvette stingray z51 in red in the snow
Car and Driver

With supercar performance, an affordable price tag, and flashy styling, the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette honors the nameplate's decades-old status as an automotive icon—but with a mid-engine twist. The current C8 is the first generation to have its naturally aspirated V-8 engine mounted behind the passenger compartment, which boosts Chevy's halo sports car into the realm of exotic machinery. Its sharp handling and explosive acceleration are a match for sports cars costing tens of thousands more, but it’s also comfortable and refined enough to drive cross-country. The C8 is offered as both a convertible and a coupe, and the hardtop model has a roof panel that can be lifted off to allow the sun to shine in. Its cabin is cozy but comfortable, and there's adequate trunk storage for groceries or luggage, making the Corvette an easy sports car to live with on a daily basis. We're charmed by this perennial 10Best award winner, and we think you will be too.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

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Chevrolet Corvette Z06

2023 chevrolet corvette z06
Chevrolet

The 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 elevates the iconic nameplate into territory occupied by exotics from Ferrari and Lamborghini. With the engine now located behind the driver, it looks unlike any Z06 seen before. Not only is it considerably wider than the regular Corvette Stingray, but it also boasts bigger air intakes and a unique rear wing. Thanks to a flat-plane crankshaft, the new Z06's naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V-8 doesn't sound like any Vette that's come before, and it blasted the car to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds at our test track. While it inherits the best amenities and technology from the Stingray, its performance and handling have been heightened and sharpened. Chevy switched to a mid-engine layout to make the C8 Corvette a supercar that more folks can afford, and the 2023 Corvette Z06 promises to embarrass more than a few people driving insanely expensive supercars when they meet at a racetrack. We were so impressed by the z06 that we named it to our 2023 10Best cars list alongside the Stingray.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

Ford Mustang

2023 ford mustang mach 1
Marc Urbano|Car and Driver

For more than 55 years, the Ford Mustang has continued to evolve into a more sophisticated steed. This iteration comes standard with a 310-hp turbocharged inline-four EcoBoost engine with a six-speed manual transmission. And while the pony car gets as wild as the 760-hp Shelby GT500, reviewed separately, the more conventional choice is the Mustang GT with the 450-hp V-8 engine. Both the four-cylinder and V-8 can be mated to a manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic. Mustangs are offered either as a hard-shell coupe or rag-top convertible, but every Mustang powers the rear wheels. Although a High Performance 330-hp EcoBoost is an available upgrade for the four-cylinder, the Mustang is best served with the growling V-8. While its closest muscular rival, the Chevy Camaro, has a more ergonomic interior, the Mustang's larger back seat and better outward visibility make it easier to live with.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

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McLaren Artura

2023 mclaren artura
McLaren

McLaren embraces a hybridized future of high performance with the sculptural 2023 Artura supercar. The newly introduced mid-engine two-seater rides on a new lightweight platform. It also pairs a twin-turbo V-6–the company's first—with a battery-electric powertrain to create a plug-in-hybrid model—another first. The duo generates a combined 671 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque. Performance estimates are highlighted by a zero-to-60-mph time of 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 205 mph. Its bodywork is pure McLaren, complete with prominent air vents and scissor-style doors. Along with a more premium and spacious interior than the 720S, the 2023 Artura offers several convenience and driver-assistance features.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

Mercedes-AMG C63

2023 mercedesamg c63 s coupe
Mercedes-AMG

Life is short: Skip the SUV and drive a real performance car. Might we suggest the absolutely ballistic 2023 Mercedes-Benz C63 S? This twin-turbo two-door boasts a 503-hp V-8 powertrain and a chassis that delivers laser-focused handling, making it one of the most brutish models in Mercedes-AMG’s product portfolio. It doesn’t ride like a luxury car though it offers plenty of high-end features and premium materials inside its well-equipped cabin. It should be noted that the C63 offered this year rides on the previous-generation C-class platform, so those seeking the latest and greatest should consider waiting for next year’s 2024 model, which will be offered only as a sedan and will be powered by an even-more-ballistic 671-hp, turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid powertrain.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

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Mercedes-AMG E53

2021 mercedesamg e53 coupe
Car and Driver

The Mercedes-AMG E53 lineup is sporty, handsome, and thoroughly engaging to drive, which is why it’s earned our Editors' Choice award every year from 2019 through 2022. For 2023, it continues to be offered in sedan, coupe, and cabriolet body styles, each of them a satisfying combination of precise engineering, refined luxury, and solid performance. What separates the E53 from the regular Benz-branded E-class is its athleticism, which can be seen, felt, and heard. The enhancements over the standard model start with its straight-six-cylinder engine, which is affixed with both a turbocharger and an electric supercharger and boasts a respectable 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The E53s ride on AMG-tuned sport suspension and feature numerous visual changes from their special grille to their quad tailpipes, all of which communicate their more serious purpose at a glance.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

2021 mercedesbenz eclass coupe
Mercedes-Benz

Velvety, creamy, buttery, smooth–these are the words that come to mind in a Mercedes-Benz E-class. The four-door sedan, two-door coupe, and two-door convertible body styles that make up the E-class family all provide a sense of lavish comfort and a long list of options that enable customers to tailor their car to their taste. Start with the engine choices: the E350 sedan is powered by a 255-hp inline-four; the E450 sedan is blessed with a 362-hp version of Mercedes's silken 3.0-liter inline-six. The slinky coupe and the soft-top convertible come only in E450, six-cylinder form. The E-class comes with a good-sized helping of luxury items ranging from a glove-compartment cool box to a power-adjustable steering column. Surprisingly, however, some things you would expect to be standard in this price class turn out to be optional, like leather upholstery and the more sophisticated of Mercedes's driver assists. The E-class is a tranquil, comfort-first cruiser, so those with a need for speed should check out the AMG E53 for its amplified performance. But if it's a beautifully crafted luxury automobile you're after—with a pedigree to match—the E-class has always been and remains a compelling choice.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

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Porsche 718 Cayman

porsche 718 cayman at 2023 lightning lap
Marc Urbano|Car and Driver

When it comes to sports cars, we're easily charmed, but certain cars still linger in our minds for being truly outstanding. The 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman is one such sports car that continues to captivate our collective attention—and one that we're happy to have on our 2023 10Best cars list. Its turbocharged engines are mounted amidships, giving the Cayman—and its convertible sibling, the 718 Boxster—a natural handling advantage over front-engined rivals such as the Jaguar F-Type and the Toyota Supra. On a twisty road, the Cayman is unflappable, and its crisp handling makes you never want to stop driving. Sure, there are too few places to stash your phone, keys, and beverages inside the two-seat cabin, and the base turbo four could sound a bit more refined. Otherwise, the Cayman is an impeccably engineered sports car that's easy to love. We should know. We've fallen head over heels for our long-term 718 Cayman GTS 4.0, which has impressed us in all the ways expected—and even some unexpected, including how few compromises it requires to drive daily.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

Porsche 911

2023 porsche 911 carrera t
Porsche

If you close your eyes and picture a Porsche, it's likely that the 911 renders first in your imagination. This rear-engined fastback is a legend—and for good reason. Make that many reasons. For decades it has been a benchmark for performance and handling and feel, inspiring rivals such as the Aston Martin Vantage, the Audi R8, and the Maserati MC20, to name a few. The "standard" 911 sticks to its roots with a set of twin-turbo flat-six engines that have been tuned for up to 473 horsepower. Higher-performance Turbo and GT3 models are available—this is Porsche, of course—but we review those cars separately. Most 911 models have rear-wheel drive but all-wheel drive is available. Coupe, cabriolet convertible, and Targa body styles are offered, and they have a cabin that is comfortable for two adults whether it's been decked out in luxuries or left bone stock. The 911's superiority stems not only from its lofty performance capabilities but also from the fact that it's comfortable enough to live with on a daily basis.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

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Porsche 911 GT3 / GT3 RS

2022 porsche 911 gt3 pdk
Car and Driver

Simply put, the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 and the all-out track-attack GT3 RS are utterly transcendent, blending everything we love about the standard 911 with otherworldly performance, uncompromised driving enjoyment, and hot-lap capability. A naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine makes demonic sounds as it howls up to its 9000 rpm redline, producing 502 horsepower along the way in the GT3 and GT3 Touring. That same engine is twisted to 518 horsepower in the new GT3 RS, but it's that model's wild race-car aerodynamic elements—ideas cribbed from GT and Formula 1 race cars—that comprise its major engineering advancements. A six-speed manual is standard in GT3 models but we've proven the optional seven-speed PDK automatic is quicker, as it shifts quicker than a human and seems to be linked to the driver's cerebral cortex. The GT3 RS comes only with the PDK gearbox. While the GT3 and GT3 Touring models are designed to thrill on the world's most challenging race courses, they're nearly as supple-riding and easy to live with as the regular 911 when driven on city streets. It's this dual-purpose nature that makes the GT3 one of our favorite sports cars and why it easily earns a place on the highest pedestal of automotive icons. As for the GT3 RS, it's as serious about lap times as a 911 can get and still be licensed. We can't wait to drive it to see if it's too radical a car for anything but track duty.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

Porsche 911 Turbo / Turbo S

2021 porsche 911 turbo s
Car and Driver

The Porsche 911 Turbo's delivery of speed is nothing short of freaky fast. Its all-wheel-drive launches are courtesy a standard 573-hp 3.7-liter flat-six or a 640-hp version for Turbo S models. It's among the quickest cars we've ever tested, getting to 30 mph in 0.8 seconds, to 60 mph in 2.1 seconds, and through a quarter-mile in just 9.9 seconds at 138 mph. Its rocket-like acceleration is undergirded by its ability to swallow corners in whole gulps thanks to its near-magical handling, amazing steering feel, and a huge amount of grip. Although the 911 Turbo doesn't offer a manual transmission, the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic is quicker and smarter than us anyway. More time with both hands at the wheel is a good idea with power like this. While we love the rear-drive 473-hp 911 with a manual transmission, that doesn't mean we'd ever say no to the quicker and more firmly-sprung 911 Turbo and Turbo S.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

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Toyota GR86

2022 toyota gr 86 base
Toyota

If we gave out an award for Most Improved Sports Car, the Toyota GR86 would very possibly be the big winner. This eminently entertaining rear-wheel-drive coupe's second generation arrived in 2022 and addressed our big issue with the original model: a weak engine. The second time around, power comes from a 228-hp flat-four with plenty of mid-range power, and although a six-speed manual comes standard (and is the only way to go), a six-speed automatic is available. You won't hear us telling you to opt for it. The GR86 is small and affordable, like, say, a Mazda MX-5 Miata, only with a tiny Porsche 911–type rear seat that enables you to take small fry along. Its hatchback body also affords reasonable cargo space, which the Miata doesn't offer, either. The GR86's mechanical twin, the Subaru BRZ, offers a virtually identical experience, so choosing between them ultimately comes down to which badge you prefer. As a 2+2 coupe built mainly for playtime, the GR86 does suffer from road noise, particularly on the highway, and the music produced by the boxer engine isn't exactly worth buying tickets to hear live. Still, plenty of cornering grip, great balance, sharp steering, and a rev-happy engine make the GR86 fun to drive, no matter where you're going. It's everything an entry-level sports car should be. And while we don't give a most improved trophy, we did give the GR 86 something even better: A 10Best award.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

Toyota Supra

2023 toyota gr supra a91mt
Toyota

Toyota's halo sports car, the 2023 GR Supra, delivers enough excitement, style, and drama to make up for the brand's more sedate sedans, hatchbacks, and SUVs. Developed and built alongside the BMW Z4 convertible, the GR Supra offers similar build quality and simpler—but still handsome—interior materials inside. The entry-level 255-hp turbocharged four-cylinder provides ample power, but we can't help but adore the ferocious, optional 382-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter BMW inline-six that makes this two-seater fly. Rear-wheel drive is the only setup, and the GR Supra's sure-footed chassis and sharp steering enable it to come alive on twisty roads and race courses. Sure, it may borrow a little too heavily from the BMW parts bin for some Toyota fanboys, and its sweptback exterior design creates some awfully large blind spots, but even so, the GR Supra remains one of our favorite sports cars. It's a driver's car and an enthusiast's delight, making it a no-brainer for our annual 10Best cars list.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

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Subaru BRZ

2023 subaru brz limited
Car and Driver

The BRZ sports car is one of today's most exciting, affordable automobiles. Like its Toyota GR86 mechanical twin, it emphasizes driving fun. It's small, light, and nimble. That and ingredients like vivid steering feedback, a standard six-speed manual transmission, and a low seating position cook up entertainment the way only a well-honed compact rear-drive coupe can. Its these traits that earned the BRZ a spot on our 10Best cars list. The BRZ is motivated by Subaru's 228-hp 2.4-liter flat-four engine, which has plenty of power to move this small 2+2 briskly. Inside, the BRZ makes an excellent case for the manual transmission with a confident-feeling, low-effort shifter. The BRZ's responsive handling and impressive cornering grip practically beg you to take it to an autocross weekend. But the BRZ is also surprisingly practical, with plenty of useful interior storage cubbies and a rear jump seat—much like the one in the Porsche 911—capable of hauling small fry or bags of groceries. In fact, if you fold down the rear seat, there should even be enough room to fit a second set of sticky tires, should that autocross weekend beckon.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

Headshot of Frankie Cruz
Frankie Cruz
Staff Editor

Frankie Cruz is a hands-on car guy with a wealth of experience modifying, repairing, buying, selling, and—most important—driving cars. He got his start as an automotive journalist in 2014 as an undergrad at Penn State, and he has owned a plethora of vehicles including a Saab 9-3 Turbo X, a Subaru STI S209, and a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE. His current daily driver is a Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing.

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