10 Coupes With Useful Rear Seats
Editor’s Note: First published in February 19, 2016, this story rounded up all the coupes with surprisingly usable rear seats. We’ve since refreshed this piece with new information, a couple new vehicles, and updated info on vehicles that have been redesigned. Discontinued models have since been removed.
Coupes get a bad reputation for having rear seats that feel like afterthoughts. Sure, they have seat belts and adults can squeeze themselves in, but the back seats on most coupes are pretty much best suited for children or your bags. However, there are stylish coupes that can fit two adults in the back without discomfort. Here are 10 examples that range from affordable to extravagant.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe: Compact Luxury Cruiser
Rear seat headroom/shoulder room/legroom: 35.6 inches/51.7 inches/32.0 inches
The least expensive two-door in Mercedes-Benz’s lineup has a flavor for everyone. From the well-rounded C300 to the 503-hp C63 S, the C-Class Coupe covers all of its grounds. If you’re in search for rear-drive fun out of a Mercedes-AMG product, the C63 is one of your last choices because most AMG vehicles have transitioned to a performance-oriented all-wheel drive system.
Dodge Challenger: American Muscle for Four (or Five in a Pinch)
Rear seat headroom/shoulder room/legroom: 37.1 inches/53.9 inches/33.1 inches
The Dodge Challenger is one of the last remaining true muscle car on the market. It’s also the only coupe currently available with a three-position rear seat, allowing it to accommodate five passengers. Need the most potent Challenger? The 797-hp Hellcat Redeye should rocket you and your friends in less than four seconds–provided you launch it properly and get it to grip.
Honda Civic Coupe: Well-Packaged
Rear seat headroom/shoulder room/legroom: 34.3 inches/52.2 inches/30.8 inches
As one of the last remaining affordable compact coupes on the market, the Honda Civic gives you plenty of style and generous seating for four (or five in a pinch) for not much money. It features cool full width LED taillights, and a short rear deck to give the car a swoopy side profile. Opt for the available 1.5-liter turbo-four for a nice balance of sportiness and efficiency. For those who want the most potent two-door Civic, the 205-hp Si gets you a sport-tuned suspension with adaptive dampers, a limited-slip differential, and optional summer performance tires.
Volkswagen Beetle: Retro-Chic Funkiness
Rear seat headroom/shoulder room/legroom: 37.1 inches/49 inches/31.4 inches
Need a coupe with a nice shot of retro funkiness? Consider the Volkswagen Beetle, which offers room for four and plenty of character to go with it. It also comes standard with a 174-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four, giving it respectable power to get around. If you’re looking to get one, you might want to head to your nearest Volkswagen dealer for a Final Edition Beetle because 2019 will be its last model year before it officially ends production.
Audi A5/S5/RS 5
Rear seat headroom/shoulder room/legroom: 36.1 inches/50.7 inches/32.7 inches
Conservative but tasteful design defines the Audi A5 family even in its sleek coupe body style, which can hold four adults without issue. In addition to the standard A5, Audi offers two performance models, the S5 with its turbocharged V-6 and the fire-breathing RS 5, a 444-hp twin-turbocharged all-weather sports coupe to rival the BMW M4 and Lexus RC F.
BMW 4 Series: Stylish and Prestigious
Rear seat headroom/shoulder room/legroom: 36.1 inches/51.7 inches/33.7 inches
Essentially a coupe version of the 3 Series sedan, the BMW 4 Series offers ample room for four and two potent engines to choose from. You’ll also enjoy driving the 4 Series thanks to its excellent handling and strong acceleration. For those living in places that have four seasons, the 4 Series can be had with all-wheel drive.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe: Posh and Teutonic
Rear seat headroom/shoulder room/legroom: 36.4 inches/50.1-50.3 inches/34.1 inches
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe blends cutting edge technology and luxury in a stylish package with seating for four. It retains its predecessor’s pillar-free design, giving it plenty of greenhouse for you to see out of. For the first time, an AMG-badged variant joins the lineup in the form of the E53, which uses a mild hybrid 3.0-liter turbo I-6 good for 429 hp and 384 lb-ft. Check off the available active exhaust system for maximum aural pleasure via backfires and burbles.
Maserati GranTurismo: Italian-Style Grand Tourer
Rear seat headroom/ shoulder room/legroom: 34.3 inches/52.1 inches/30.1 inches
For a truly Italian grand touring experience, the Maserati GranTurismo offers high levels of opulence and space for up to three friends to indulge in the car’s well-appointed interior. Featuring a 454-hp, 4.7-liter V-8 built by Ferrari that comes with an intense soundtrack, the GranTurismo will sing a lovely song for you and your passengers as you devour the road ahead.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe: The Pinnacle of Teutonic Two-Door Grand Touring
Rear seat headroom/shoulder room/legroom: 39.7 inches/51.4-57.0 inches/33.4 inches
Not many coupes can rival the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe when it comes to being able to do everything well. However, this massive two-door is at its best devouring long highways while you and your three passengers enjoy the comfortable, well-insulated interior. Should you need to get to places as quickly as possible, the 603-hp S63 and 621-hp S65 are the Autobahn cruise missiles for you.
Rolls-Royce Wraith: Handcrafted Excellence
Rear seat headroom/shoulder room/legroom: 37 inches/54.7 inches/36.9 inches
If nothing but the most exquisite grand touring car will satisfy you, choose the Rolls-Royce Wraith. Essentially a plush four-seat coupe you can have custom-built to your exact specifications, the Wraith is the One Percent’s personal luxury barge. It comes standard with a 624-hp, twin-turbo V-12 with 590 lb-ft of torque for effortless acceleration at any speed.
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