Two-door cars are something special, made even more special by the fact that they are a dying breed. They aren’t designed for fitting the whole family or making trips to the hardware store; they are designed to be driven and to look good. In an era where cars seem to just keep getting bigger, the remaining coupes stand out even more for reveling in street performance and style. However, that’s not to say all the two-door models of 2022 are nothing more than second cars or toys for single drivers. In fact, a traditional 2+2 coupe can handle daily life surprisingly well with its two rows of seats. While they may not have the backseat room of a sedan or SUV, they do have the flexibility to be your only car. So before you resign yourself to driving one of the bland four doors that clog the streets today, you owe it to yourself to check out the available 2+2 coupes of 2022.
Lowest Priced Coupe – 2022 Chevy Camaro ($25,000)
Chevy’s iconic pony car may stand out for its aggressive looks, but it also makes a remarkably good buy for the value-conscious driver. In fact, the base model Camaro, with its punchy 2.0L turbocharged engine, costs less than a Toyota Camry! And while its 25 MPG combined fuel economy may not be quite as high as the average economy car, it is good enough to make the Camaro a relatively budget-friendly commuter. If you need an affordable car, there is no reason you can’t opt for a sporty 2+2 coupe instead of a mainstream sedan. Of course, if you want to turn things up a notch, the Camaro can also be optioned with a 6.2L V8 for just $35,395, which makes it a drag-strip-ready muscle car.
Best Affordable Performance Coupe – 2022 Toyota GR 86 ($27,700)
The fully-redesigned 2022 Toyota GR 86 (and its nearly identical twin, the Subaru BRZ) is a tour de force in affordable sports car design. Unlike base model muscle cars in the same price range, the featherweight GR 86 has plenty of power for its size and is fully track-ready out of the box. Sharp handling and incredible balance make this car a joy to drive, and folding down the rear seats provides a surprising amount of cargo space. It also outperforms four-door JDM rivals like the Subaru WRX and Honda Civic Si, making it the full package for anyone looking for a real sports car on a budget.
Most Well-Rounded Coupe – 2022 Ford Mustang ($27,470)
The Ford Mustang was the original pony car and remains arguably the best all-around two-door model on the market in 2022. The base model comes with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine that puts out over 300 hp, giving it a surprising turn of speed, while the available 5.0L Coyote V8 churns out 450 hp for just $37,275. However, the Mustang’s biggest advantage over the Camaro is its more spacious design. Larger windows make it more comfortable to drive, and the 13.5 cu.ft. of trunk space makes it easy to run errands or head out on a road trip. The new Mustang Mach 1 version is also fully upgraded for track performance, allowing this American muscle car to compete with European coupes.
Most Unique Coupe – 2022 MINI Hardtop ($28,600)
Once upon a time, small two-door cars were the affordable option for drivers who didn’t want a larger vehicle. Today, coupes have evolved to become enthusiast cars, and the vast majority of them are either sports cars or luxury vehicles. However, the MINI Hardtop stands out for being a “normal” car. Half the size of many cars on the road these days, the Mini lives up to its name while still fitting four seats and a decent amount of cargo space in its hatchback design. Despite being the only front-wheel drive car on this list, it’s also surprisingly fun to drive, with the Cooper S offering 189 hp and the John Cooper Works generating 228 hp. There is even an all-electric Cooper SE, which is the only EV coupe available other than the Rimac Nevara hypercar.
Most Powerful Coupe – 2022 Dodge Challenger ($30,825)
If you dream of visiting the drag strip, then the Dodge Challenger is the coupe for you. With the available High-Output Hellcat supercharged V8 engine producing 807 hp, Dodge claims the Challenger is the most powerful production car in the world. And while the 1,020 hp Tesla Model S and 1,111 hp Lucid Air would seem to refute that statement, the Challenger is the most powerful production two-door car. If you don’t feel like paying the $111,265 price tag for the Challenger Super Stock, you can get a Challenger R/T with a 5.7L V8 for $39,075 or a Challenger R/T Scat Pack with a 6.4L V8 for $46,150.
Best Compact Coupe – 2022 BMW 2 Series ($36,350)
Freshly redesigned for BMW 2 Series is a legendary driver’s car embodying many of the best attributes of the BMW brand. The combination of luxury features, precise handling, and a good turn of speed at a relatively affordable price makes the 2 Series the best compact coupe on the market. And with available xDrive all-wheel drive, this is a coupe that you can safely drive year-round no matter where in America you live. Unfortunately, the recent redesign means options are limited for the 2022 BMW 2 Series, as you can only choose between the 255 hp rear-wheel drive 230i and the 382 hp all-wheel drive M340i. More options and a high-performance M2 model will arrive for the 2023 model year.
Lowest Priced Luxury Coupe – 2022 INFINITI Q60 ($41,750)
While the INFINITI Q60 is an older model, it is also the most affordable way to get behind the wheel of a midsize luxury coupe. Car enthusiasts may also enjoy the fact that the Q60 is actually the American market version of the legendary Nissan Skyline and comes standard with the same 3.0L twin-turbo that powers the Nissan Z. With 300 hp in the base model, the Q60 offers good performance for the price and the Red Sport trim takes things up a notch to 400 hp. Every trim is also available with all-wheel drive for that traditional Skyline performance.
Most Reliable Luxury Coupe – 2022 Lexus RC ($43,895)
If there is one thing that luxury cars aren’t known for, it’s reliability––unless that luxury car happens to be a Lexus. The Lexus RC is a coupe that you can rely on as your primary car, traveling in style without worrying about high repair costs. Performance isn’t exceptional with the standard 2.0L or the optional 3.5L, and the car itself is on the heavier side, but if you are looking for a car that will take care of you for years to come, the Lexus RC is the way to go. However, if you do want a dose of adrenaline in your ride, the RC F, with its 472 hp V8 engine, provides a luxurious muscle car experience that cannot be found anywhere else.
Best Performance Coupe – BMW 4 Series ($45,800)
BMW is known for building driver’s cars, and the 4 Series stands out in the relatively crowded midsize luxury coupe segment for its incredible performance. Three models are available for 2022, starting with the basic 430i. However, performance-hungry drivers will want to upgrade to either the M440i or the untouchable M4. Both of these higher trims are powered by a 3.0L inline-6 engine that produces up to 503 hp in the M4 Competition. In addition to the unique inline engine, the M4 is the only model in the segment to offer a 6-speed manual transmission, making it a driver’s dream.
Best All-Wheel Drive Coupe – 2022 Audi A5 ($46,000)
While coupes have a reputation for being good-weather cars, many models offer all-wheel drive to make them practical choices no matter what weather you face. However, the Audi A5 takes things to the next level by coming with Audi’s legendary quattro all-wheel drive system standard on every trim, making this 2+2 model even more practical for everyday driving. When combined with Audi’s dual-clutch transmissions, the A5 is capable of remarkable acceleration and control in all conditions. For improved performance, you can opt for the S5 or RS5 versions with their turbocharged V6 engines.
Most Well-Rounded Luxury Coupe – 2022 Mercedes C Class ($47,850)
The competition between Audi, BMW, and Mercedes is always fierce, but each brand has its own strengths. The C Class Coupe embodies the class and style expected from Mercedes, from the sophisticated yet understated exterior to the rich, modern interior. If you are shopping for a luxury coupe that never looks out of place no matter where your life takes you, then it is hard to beat the C Class. And for a sportier aesthetic inside, the Mercedes-AMG C 43 model upgrades the cabin while ramping up performance.
Roomiest Coupe – 2022 Mercedes E Class ($66,100)
The E Class Coupe occupies a unique niche in the market. While other luxury coupes are built on the brands’ compact platforms, the E Class is Mercedes’ midsize model. This gives it a remarkable amount of interior space for a 2+2 car, including a full 35.9 inches of backseat legroom. That’s more than some compact SUVs and makes the E Class Coupe ideal for the driver who wants a coupe that can double as a family car. While your passengers may not enjoy climbing into the back seat, once settled, they will be remarkably comfortable.
Best Luxury Coupe – 2022 BMW 8 Series ($85,000)
As the only manufacturer with three different models on this list, it’s clear that BMW is committed to building coupes. While the 8 Series comes with the option for a 617 hp twin-turbo V8 engine in its high-speed M8 variant, the real strength of this model is its opulence. Among the many luxury features, you can find a Merino leather and Alcantara interior, a Bowers and Wilkins Diamond sound system, and multi-function seats with power shoulder and thigh support. This is one 2+2 coupe where even the back seat passengers won’t have much to complain about.
Best Overall Coupe – 2022 Porsche 911 ($101,200)
The Porsche 911 is an icon, and it has only gotten better with age. Stubbornly sticking with its rear-engine design, this 2+2 coupe offers a surprisingly spacious front truck and a reasonable amount of space for backseat passengers, making it more than simply a sports car. All-wheel drive is even available for handling bad weather with ease if you are willing to take a Porsche out in a snowstorm. The base model Carrera comes with 379 hp from a turbocharged flat-six engine, and things only get more exciting from there. At the top of the line sits the 911 Turbo S with 640 hp, a 2.6 second 0-60 time, and a top speed of 205 mph, providing supercar performance from a car you could comfortably commute to work in.
