A coupe is a timelessly classic vehicle choice. With its sloped roof and sleek profile, this type of car exudes sophistication in a way a regular sedan simply does not. When it comes to one of the finest purveyors of coupes, we have to discuss Mercedes. For decades, Mercedes-Benz has been delivering track-inspired style dripping with cosmopolitan allure to drivers with its selection of coupes. One thing Mercedes has done differently from other manufacturers is create four-door coupes.
The coupe is traditionally a two-door vehicle, not necessarily intended to appeal to practical, everyday drivers looking for a commuter or family vehicle. However, Mercedes offers a pair of four-door coupes in its CLA and AMG GT models. When you get to know these two models, it is clear that each one deserves a spot in the lineup. If you are interested in a four-door coupe, below, we will give you an understanding of the distinct personalities of these two models. Before doing that, however, we will briefly cover the benefits of a four-door model so you can decide if this style of coupe is right for you.
Why Choose a Four-Door Coupe Instead of a Two-Door?
A four-door coupe is clearly meant to appeal to drivers who want to enjoy the peppy performance and elevated style of this vehicle type with some added convenience. While many two-door coupes can seat passengers in the rear, four-door coupes will have more rear seat space than two-door options. Truthfully, few adult passengers look forward to sitting in the rear of a two-door coupe for longer than a brief drive. The experience can be cramped and uncomfortable for passengers on longer trips. Ironically, a two-door coupe is an unlikely choice of vehicle for a parent looking for a family model—even though small children might be the only passengers who can comfortably sit in the rear seats of a two-door coupe.
The four-door coupe gives you the rear seat space you might associate with a four-door sedan. This means that you can comfortably transport adult rear-seat passengers in your coupe for longer trips. Having four doors is also a benefit if you have older passengers or passengers with disabilities who struggle to squeeze behind the front seats in a two-door model. Additionally, if you would like to utilize the rear seats for transporting cargo instead of passengers, loading your belongings into a model with four doors is easier than doing so in a model with only two doors.
A Look at the CLA, a Practical but Pretty Pick
We will now go over the four-door coupe options from Mercedes-Benz for the 2024 model year. Let’s start with the CLA. The CLA is unmistakably the more practical four-door coupe from Mercedes. We see this immediately from its fuel-efficient and even environmentally friendly engine. The CLA has a 2.0L inline-4 turbocharged engine with mild hybrid drive. It gets excellent fuel economy on the highway and in the city. Its mild hybrid drive means that the vehicle can store kinetic energy in its battery when you brake, further boosting fuel economy.
This engine has 221 hp and can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. It is clear that the focus of this vehicle’s powertrain is everyday scenarios. It is not a performance-oriented vehicle, but can give the thrill of driving a coupe to someone in need of a practical daily vehicle. However, the available AMG models take performance up to 416 hp with a zero to 60 mph time of just 4.0 seconds.
The 2024 CLA has four driving modes. It has an Eco mode to boost fuel economy, a Sport mode for more exciting behind-the-wheel thrills, a Comfort mode for daily driving in most situations, and a customizable Individual mode, which allows you to adjust vehicle dynamics to your specific driving behaviors. The interior of the CLA seats five passengers. Its paneling and upholstery are stylish, bright, and welcoming. It has easy-to-use and well-placed knobs, large touchscreens, and comfortable contoured seats.
Experience the Racetrack-Ready Thrills of the AMG GT
Now, we will move on to the AMG GT. From the moment you look at this coupe, you will understand that it is a very different animal from the CLA. This coupe is made to turn heads with a more rounded, traditional coupe profile, elongated nose, long and dramatic headlights, and unique AMG styling details. When you buy the AMG GT, you are treating yourself to a vehicle that is a ton of fun to drive and can keep up with some of the best of them on a track. It is not meant to be a daily driver and does not pretend to be one.
You immediately see that this is a different beast from the CLA because of its engine. Under its hood, you will find an available 4.0L twin-turbo V8 kicking out 577 hp. It can go from zero to 60 mph in just over three seconds and is ready to meet the demands of serious thrill seekers. Another nod to the more fun-centric nature of this vehicle is the fact that it can be ordered in a four-passenger model. Though it is available with five seats, the 2+2 option is a more traditional choice for those looking to take friends around the track rather than take friends on a road trip.
This model also offers different driving modes, delivering its own distinct options that you do not find in the CLA. One of these is Race mode. This mode will adjust driving dynamics when you want to enjoy racing circuits. Then there is Drift mode, which enables the vehicle to operate in rear-wheel drive when moving at any speed. And speaking of speed, this coupe can reach 196 mph, so hold onto your hats.
The interior of the AMG GT has striking styling details that make it feel like the cockpit of a real race car. Ambient lighting, quilted seats, colorful stitching, and a flat bottom steering wheel clearly set this coupe apart as a performance option. Additionally, it can be ordered in four beautiful appearance packages, each one adding a unique flare to the stunning vehicle. From a silver chrome accent package to a carbon fiber package, there are many ways to make the AMG GT even more breathtaking.
Two Four-Door Coupes. Two Distinct Personalities.
Now that you’ve gotten to know the two four-door coupes from Mercedes, you can see why they both belong in the lineup. There’s something endlessly fun and stylish about a coupe, but a traditional two-door coupe just doesn’t work for everybody. When you want to give rear passengers easy access so they can experience riding in a Mercedes coupe, check out either of the two great models we discussed today. The CLA is ready to be your daily driver, while the AMG GT sticks to the coupe’s performance-oriented roots and will satisfy advanced thrill seekers.
If you’ve been holding yourself back from shopping for a coupe because you believed they’re all two-door models, think again. Whether you’re looking for the perfect vehicle for client meetings and family days or the energetic sports car you’ve been wanting to treat yourself to, Mercedes makes two fantastic four-door coupes to meet the needs of different drivers. Choose your lucky five (or four) passengers, and enjoy the ride.
