10 Top Rated Coupes

Once upon a time in America, coupes ruled the road and the biggest, baddest and best of the breed came from Ford, General Motors, and Mopar. 4-doors were never considered to be cool and imports were looked upon with contempt.

The muscle car craze started with the 1964 Pontiac GTO, which was based on the lowly 2-door Tempest. The pony car era took off with the Ford Mustang, shortly thereafter. The streets were jammed with heroes on a last chance power ride, and the majority of top-rated coupes were American-made.

It’s been nearly five decades since the coupe’s heyday, and a mere handful of domestic coupes remain at the front of a radically changed field of top rated coupes. That said, we may look back in another fifty years to realize that today is tomorrow’s good old days.

The Ford Mustang celebrated its fiftieth anniversary with a lavish shindig at the top of the Empire State Building. It was a party well deserved, as the redesigned Mustang is the best ever built, with crisp sheetmetal, a long-awaited independent rear suspension, a retro cool P-51 inspired cockpit, and a lineup of potent engines.

The base 2016 Mustang Fastback can be equipped with either a naturally aspirated 300-hp 3.7-liter V6 or 310-hp 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-4. The Mustang GT proudly wears the 5.0-liter badge on the fenders, with its traditional 302-cubic inch V8 engine cranking out 435 hp.

The Mustang’s back seat remains a penalty zone -- a shortcoming it shares with the Camaro.

The Subaru BRZ and its cousin, the Scion FR-S, are proper sports coupes. A stunning exterior, rear-wheel-drive, a sweet 6-speed manual transmission and superb handling instill confidence. While the 200-hp naturally-aspirated Subaru boxer 4-cylinder engine is fuel efficient, it’s a tad short on power and a letdown for some, providing inspiration for owners to implement bolt-on mods. You can always make a car go faster…

The 2016 BRZ adds Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system and a much-needed rear-view camera as standard equipment. Your friends will battle over the shotgun seat, as the back seat is only suitable for small folks, a common shortcoming (no pun intended) among coupes that feature steeply raked rooflines.

The Honda Civic Coupe was completely redesigned for the 2016 model year, with a slick new exterior, an award-winning interior, and a splendid 1.5-liter turbocharged engine under the hood (the base LX is fitted with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four). While this is the best looking Civic Coupe in years, the CVT transmission is a put-off for some. Honda enthusiasts are looking forward to the introduction of the more potent Civic Si Coupe, along with a manual transmission option for the turbo in 2017.

With a starting MSRP of $19,050, the Civic Coupe is one of the most affordable entries on our list of best coupes for 2016, while the top-of-the-line Civic Touring features an impressive list of safety technology.

Squint at the 2016 Audi A5 and you might swear you see a Mustang. Or is it the other way around? The A5 rides on the A4’s platform and it’s quite the looker. You’ll find a 220-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four nestled beneath the A5’s hood, mated to either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission.

Step up to the S5 for to gain the 333-hp supercharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine, drop the manual’s 0-60 MPH time from 6.3 seconds to 4.9 seconds, and raise the top speed from 130 to 155 MPH.

And, oh yes, the A5 and S5 are only offered with all-wheel-drive. Because quattro.

Lighter, tighter, and brighter are the keywords for the redesigned 2016 Chevrolet Camaro. It’s a joy to point this pony at the twisties. The new Camaro rides on the same platform as the Cadillac ATS and is more than 200 pounds lighter than its predecessor, with a significantly improved ride and much tighter handling.

A 275-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four is the base engine, with a 335-hp 3.6-liter V6 available as a $1,495 option. Purists will opt for the Camaro SS to gain the mighty 455-hp 6.2-liter V8.

The redesigned cockpit landed a spot on Ward’s coveted 10 Best Interior list, benefitting from a gorgeous dash, splendid seats and an infotainment system that provides Apple CarPlay and Android support.

Hankering for a 2016 BMW coupe, but the 1-Series feels a bit too small? 3-Series a tad too large? If Goldilocks had to choose a top-rated BMW, she’d opt for the M235i, and bury the pedal. With the 3.0-liter twin-scroll turbo’s ample 320 horsepower on tap, Goldi would leave those pesky bears in the dust and head for the nearest twisty canyon road, sporting a great big grin.

Purists take note: the 8-speed automatic M235i is factory rated at .4 seconds faster than the 6-speed manual in the 0-60 MPH sprint (4.6 vs 5.0). The all-wheel drive M235i is only available with the automatic. Performance needs (and budget) more modest? Opt for the 228i coupe, with a starting MSRP of $32,850.

The Volkswagen GTI is the original hot hatchback, and while some may argue that a hatch isn’t a proper sports coupe, we’ll happily give the 2-door GTI a whirl. When you aren’t hauling through the corners, you’ll have plenty of cargo area to haul your stuff. Choose the GTI S for those snazzy Clark Plaid cloth seats or opt for the GTI SE’s leather upholstery? Decisions, decisions...

The GTI’s 2.0-liter turbo four belts out 210 horsepower, 220 in performance trim, with a respectable 25 city/34 highway when fitted with the 6-speed manual. Digging the GTI but want more go? The amazing all-wheel drive 292-hp Golf R isn’t just a hot hatch. It’s Muy Caliente! Alas, the Golf R’s only offered as a 4-door.

You might think of the Cadillac ATS-V Coupe as a Camaro for grown-ups, seeing as they share the same platform, but this one takes its own path. You’ll find a fabulous 464-hp 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine lurking beneath the hood, mated to either a 6-speed manual or wicked quick 8-speed automatic transmission. The back seat is tight, as with the Camaro, but the handling just might be tighter.

If you’re considering an imported luxury sport coupe, you owe it to yourself to test it against the ATS-V. Cadillac has faced its share of challenges in marketing the ATS overall and sales have lagged. Getting folks behind the wheel is key. This might be the best car you haven’t driven (yet).

While the 2016 Genesis 3.8 R-Spec Coupe might be one of the most controversial entries on this list, Hyundai’s rear-wheel drive performance coupe packs a potent wallop and is well priced. With 348 horsepower on tap and a starting MSRP of $26,950 (on the base model) the dollar-to-hp ratio is compelling.

Enthusiasts will step up to the R-Spec model to gain the limited-slip rear differential, Brembo brakes, track-tuned suspension and 19-inch alloy wheels. Those seeking the R-Spec’s level of performance with a higher level of amenities in the cabin will opt for the 3.8 Ultimate.

With the launch of Hyundai’s Genesis brand, the Genesis Coupe isn’t likely to stick around in its present form. Get ‘em while they last…

The 2016 Dodge Challenger stands apart from the Mustang and Camaro, as the biggest, baddest and most retro of the American coupes. The Challenger’s larger platform owes much of its technology to Mercedes-Benz, and allows a spacious back seat (for a muscle car). As you might expect from its size, the Challenger’s ride is smooth, but handling isn’t as taut as the 2016 Camaro.

There's a slew of powertrains and packages, but you won't find a turbo four. The base 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 delivers a very respectable 305 horsepower, while the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 pumps out 400 hp, and the 6.4-liter SRT Hemi cranks it up to 485 hp. If you want to take it to the limit, you’ll check the box for the Challenger Hellcat, which roars with a 707-hp supercharged 6.4-liter Hemi V8.