10 2-door Luxury Cars

2016 Porsche Boxster ・ Photo by Porsche

Luxurious experiences come in all shapes and sizes, but when it comes to the automotive world, you really only have two choices: to drive in extravagance, or be driven. The latest and greatest premium sedans offer rear-seat passengers every conceivable indulgence, but for those who prefer to pilot their own vessels, luxury 2-door coupes and sedans are the best way to be spoiled.

In 2016, there are numerous options to fit the bill, but these are the finest examples of first-rate 2-door motoring.

Porsche Boxster

Since 1996, Porsche has delivered optimal performance packaging—a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive setup—in affordable 2-door luxury roadster form. The Boxster hasn’t always been the most luxurious of vehicles, but these days, there isn’t a better blend of driver engagement and comfort for the price.

The 2016 Porsche Boxster comes equipped with a 2.7-liter flat 6-cylinder engine that produces 265 horsepower and 206 lb.-ft of torque. In a sports car that weighs under 3,000 lbs, that motor is plenty powerful, but Porsche also offers 315 and 375 hp iterations of its convertible-only icon. With a more refined cabin than ever, the Boxster’s $52,100 starting price is an absolute steal.

Photo by Porsche

Jaguar F-Type

While the Boxster touts precision engineering, Jaguar’s F-Type answers with aggression and pride. A tribute to the classic E-Type of the 1960’s, the F-Type captures attention in the 2-door luxury category thanks to its beautiful figure and boisterous engine options.

Buyers can choose from supercharged V6 or V8 powertrains, with outputs ranging from 340 to 550 horses. Either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox transfers grunt to the rear wheels (all-wheel drive is also available). Driver, passenger, and every onlooker can appreciate the British-built luxury that is Jaguar’s F-Type.

Photo by General Motors

Cadillac ATS Coupe

You may be scratching your head as to why an American-built compact coupe is among the ranks of Europe’s best luxury 2-doors, but the 2016 Cadillac ATS Coupe deserves your respect. With a subtle, yet handsome silhouette, the finest chassis in its segment, and GM’s celebrated Magnetic Ride Control, Cadillac’s take on luxury is superb.

Starting at just $37,995, the ATS Coupe employs a 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder to pump out 272 hp and 285 lb.-ft of torque. Should you demand more power, there’s also a 335 hp V6 to hasten the time between departure and destination points.

BMW 4 Series

BMW’s 3 Series has been among the top luxury 2-door vehicles for decades, and while it may go by another name these days, its pedigree is as evident as ever. BMW’s latest 4 Series is larger, quicker, and more advanced than its 3 Series predecessors, making the argument for rival models that much harder.

The 428i entry-level variant uses a 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder to send 240 horsepower to the rear wheels. While that doesn’t sound like much, BMW has a reputation of understating its cars’ performance. It’s not all about power, either—BMW’s latest iDrive infotainment unit, Harmon Kardon sound system, and adjustable drive modes keep drivers engaged.

Photo by BMW

Audi TT

A luxury 2-door is judged as much by its interior comfort as it is by its styling. Audi has owned the design category of luxury for several years now, and its latest TT sports car is another blow to the competition. With razor-sharp exterior accents and a quilted, leather-rich interior, the TT is creeping into the hearts and minds of luxury car buyers.

Power is provided by a 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder motor, which serves up 220 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft of torque. Paired with Audi’s standard Quattro all-wheel drive system, the new TT is the quickest and most stylish way around a corner.

Photo by Audi

Porsche 911 Carrera

The Porsche 911 needs no introduction. The question isn’t whether to put the 911 in the company of the best 2-door luxury models; it’s how many times you can repeat it without drawing ire. Instantly recognizable, the 2016 Carrera has swelled in size and price over the years, but it has never represented a truer luxury experience.

If you value heritage, now’s the time to grab a Carrera, as next year’s models will also switch to turbocharged powertrains. The standard 911 coupe starts at $84,300 while the Cabriolet checks in at $101,700.

Photo by Porsche

BMW 2 Series

If you’ve fantasized about owning a BMW 4 Series, but just couldn’t scrape together the cash, we have good news: BMW’s 2 Series entry-level model offers nearly all of the 4 Series refinement in a smaller, more affordable package. Both coupe and convertible body styles treat driver and passenger to thrilling performance and amenity.

With the same 2.0-liter unit as its big brother 4 Series, the 2 Series can be equipped with either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic. Prices for the 228i start at $32,850.

Photo by BMW

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The S-Class sedan is one of the best 4-door luxury cars on the market, and its 2-door body style is every bit as good. With standard 4Matic all-wheel drive, a slew of self-driving technology, incredible comfort, and sumptuous styling, the S-Class coupe is what full-size luxury dreams are made of.

Powering the S550 is a 4.7-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 making 449 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft of torque. The only transmission option is a 7-speed automatic, but the quick-shifting unit is partly responsible for the nearly 5,000-lb. car’s 4.9-second sprint to 60 mph.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

Audi A5

The present generation Audi A5 has been on the market for quite some time, but the 2-door continues to deliver an engaging driving experience, excellent build quality, and attractive pricing to trump luxury competitors.

Both coupe and convertible designs are available, each with a choice of 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder or 3.0-liter, turbo 6-cylinder motors. Outputs aren’t immense, but standard Quattro all-wheel drive means acceleration is brisk and handling is among the best in the segment. Shoppers will also appreciate the $40,500 price tag, which undercuts BMW’s 4 Series.

Photo by Audi

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S

The S550 4Matic may offer the best in luxury grand touring, but the AMG GT S is perhaps the perfect blend of performance and design. With a starting price similar to the S-Class, the search for the best in luxury may never take you off a Mercedes-Benz dealer lot.

The AMG GT S boasts a 4.7-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 delivering 503 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft of torque. All that power is distributed to the rear wheels via a 7-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission. Acceleration from 0-60 mph takes just 3.7 seconds, and you’ll need to pay attention, because the long-nosed sports car loves to hang its tail out.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz