10 Top Full-Size Coupes

In a world where even sedans are losing ground to the practicality of an SUV, the two-door coupe is struggling even more. And full-size coupes are in an even more precarious position, since they’re big and bulky without being especially spacious. 

Still, maybe you want two doors with a usable backseat, or you love the look of a big, road-dominating coupe. And that’s where these 10 top full-size coupes come in. Most of them are big vehicles, but we’ve also included a couple of smaller but space-efficient models as well. We have skipped the “four-door coupes” that are just sportier-looking sedans or even SUVs; all of these are genuine two-door coupes.

The Dodge Challenger is the last big, cheap coupe on the market, and it’s a natural fit for this list. It’s a retro-styled two-door version of the more modern-looking Dodge Charger full-size sedan, and while the Challenger gives up a bit of space and versatility, it’s still roomier than nearly any other coupe. 

The Challenger has enormous presence on the road, both thanks to its size and its styling. Yet it’s relatively affordable, too, starting at $29,680. And if you don’t care about a big backseat and trunk, don’t worry, there’s big power too. Even the base engine is a strong 303-horsepower V6, but the Challenger is best known for its V8s: a 375-horsepower 5.7-liter, a 485-horsepower 6.4-liter, or a supercharged 6.2-liter making 717 to 807 horsepower. Just like those horsepower ranges, the prices for those engines range from reasonable to quite a bit less so. 

Many performance cars are graceful and elegant. The brash 565-horsepower Nissan GT-R instead has the nickname “Godzilla.” 

The car hasn’t changed much since 2009, which means you don’t get the up-to-date luxury features and cabin trim that you might expect for $113,540 and up. But if you’re more interested in the car’s performance potential, the GT-R’s ferociously quick turbocharged V6 engine and tenacious handling will never go out of style. And while you’d never call it graceful, this big and fast machine is the perfect full-size coupe for some buyers. Just don’t expect a full-size backseat; this is a big car that’s more about style than about carpooling. 

For speed, luxury, and even a roomy interior, it’s time to move fast and buy a Mercedes-Benz S-Class coupe while you still can. Mercedes is discontinuing the model after this year. 

The S-Class coupe combines the graceful driving experience, sumptuous cabin, and extra-spacious driver accommodations of the previous-generation S-Class sedan with more exuberant styling. Still, this is a full-size car, not a light and tossable sports coupe. That’s good news for interior space compared with most coupes, but it means this big Benz drives similarly to its four-door sibling. The S-Class coupe starts at $131,400 in S 560 form, which brings a 463-horsepower V8 engine. Or you can get the S 63 AMG version with 603 horsepower for $173,100. 

For less road presence than the S-Class but nearly identical EPA interior volume, you can save big by choosing the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe. It starts at $64,950 with a choice of V6 engines making either 362 or 429 horsepower. 

Newly updated for 2021, the E-Class offers unflappable driving composure and a beautifully finished (if technologically daunting) interior. More graceful than outright sporty, even in its performance-focused AMG model, the E-Class is a classic example of a luxury coupe with a usable (if not huge) backseat. It’s easy to see why Mercedes didn’t think its lineup needed two graceful, elegant, decently roomy spacious luxury coupes — and why buyers have picked the E-Class over the S-Class. 

The Ford Mustang is a natural rival to the Dodge Challenger, since they’re both retro-styled American coupes that are available with incredibly powerful V8 engines. However, there are some notable differences between the two vehicles. 

First of all, the Mustang isn’t as truly full-size as the Challenger. You still get a big-car feel from the driver’s seat, but the rear seat and trunk are tiny in comparison to the big Dodge’s. Secondly, the Ford has livelier handling than the Challenger, thanks to that smaller size. And lastly, Ford’s base engine is a relatively economical turbocharged “EcoBoost” four-cylinder. We’re not describing a delicate little sports car, though; you can also get a 460-horsepower naturally aspirated V8 or a supercharged V8 with 760 horsepower. Mustang prices start at $27,205. 

The BMW 8 Series is the brand’s biggest coupe, but it has the smallest interior. That’s a problem if you’re expecting to bring the family around, but it’s just fine if you’re looking for a big, poshly finished car with flashy looks. The 8 Series’ racy roofline makes plenty of room in the front seats but closes in on the wee backseat. 

As a styling statement and a luxurious ride, the 8 Series can excel. Priced from $88,000, the 8 Series balances a smooth ride with moderately athletic handling. Derived from the 7 Series full-size sedan, this coupe’s engine choices are a 335-horsepower six-cylinder and a 532-horsepower V8.

What’s the top full-size coupe if your budget is unlimited and a BMW is too commonplace? A Bentley Continental GT might fit the bill. 

The Bentley’s $202,500 base price keeps things exclusive, and the long list of options lets you make it your own — and burn through more of that unlimited budget. The Continental GT’s exquisite driving experience and build quality mean you won’t feel like Bentley overcharged you, either. This coupe feels solid and heavy in a way few cars can, especially those that handle this well. The base engine is a 542-horsepower V8, and you can get another 84 horsepower if you switch to a W12. But like the BMW 8 Series, don’t count on this full-size coupe to have a full-size rear seat. There’s plenty of space for folks to spread out up in the front, but not so much in the back. 

If you want the roomiest coupe on the market, be prepared to pay up. It’s another exclusive British model: the Rolls-Royce Wraith. It has a base price of $330,000 — and you probably wouldn’t buy a Wraith without adding a few four- and five-figure options. 

By the numbers, the Wraith is only about as roomy as a Hyundai Elantra economy sedan. But that still makes it more generous than any other two-door coupe. Drivers will never feel cramped behind the wheel of this 624-horsepower, 207-inch-long luxury yacht. It has the size and imposing feel of a full-size SUV, just without the high seating position. And when you open up the rear-hinged doors, even two adults can wriggle into the decently comfortable back.

The BMW 4 Series isn’t really a full-size coupe. Quite the opposite: It’s typically considered a compact. But we’re mentioning it here because it’s roomier than some of the much bigger coupes on this list. 

Priced from $45,600, the 4 Series is available with a choice of a 255-horsepower four-cylinder, a 382-horsepower six-cylinder, and a 503-horsepower six-cylinder. It’s agile, comfortable, and high-tech. It has comfortable front seats and can squeeze two passengers into the back, too. On a road trip, you’ll also appreciate its relatively spacious 12-cubic-foot trunk. BMW didn’t style the 4 Series to look like a big car — it has the 8 Series for that — but if that’s not why you’re interested in a full-size coupe, the unexpectedly functional 4 Series could be just the thing for you. 

The Lexus LC goes to the opposite extreme from the 4 Series. It’s a big car that looks big and feels big, but only has space for two passengers. The tiny rear seat is best used as overflow for the 5-cubic-foot trunk. 

The LC looks like a street-legal concept car — in part because so few people would actually want a big coupe with a tiny interior, but if you love the looks, Lexus also treats you to a serene ride yet capable handling, a choice of two effortlessly powerful engines, and comfortable front seats. Lexus will charge you $93,050 for a 471-horsepower V8 (LC 500) or $97,610 for a relatively economical and still speedy 354-horsepower hybrid powertrain (LC 500h).