10 Best 4-Door Coupes for 2017

2018 Volkswagen Arteon rear view ・ Photo by Volkswagen

In the last few years, the 4-door coupe has practically become a segment all its own. Technically speaking, there’s no such thing, but you know how marketing buzzwords can create something out of nothing. Put simply, a 4-door coupe is a sedan that’s styled to look more like a 2-door vehicle, often accomplished by featuring design elements such as blacked-out B-pillars and raked rooflines to more closely resemble the sleeker, more athletic look of a true coupe. Let’s take a closer look at 10 of our favorite 4-door coupes (even those of dubious qualifications) in alphabetical order. And if you disagree with any of them… well, we’re not the ones who came up with this idea in the first place.

2017 Aston Martin Rapide S

In our opinion, the Aston Martin Rapide S is a pretty legitimate example of a 4-door coupe. It definitely flaunts a sexy coupe shape, and the two rear doors look barely usable, they exist because they’re marginally more convenient than sliding the front seats forward to get access to the back. But, how often are passengers going to ride in the back of one of these, anyway? This is a car for intimacy, or, even better, solace. It’s not a car to take your kids to school or cart around your friends. The Aston Martin Rapide S starts at $208,825, and if you’ve got one of these in your garage, it’s probably next to several other vehicles that are more appropriate for carrying passengers.

Photo by Aston Martin

2017 Audi S7

Technically, the Audi A7 is also a 4-door coupe, but the performance-oriented S7 lineup looks much more sporty, which gives the whole concept a little more legitimacy. The S7 is not cheap — it starts at $79,900 — but if you really want the convenience of four doors combined with a sleeker look, this is one of our favorite ways to go. The Audi S7 comes with a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine that yields 450 horsepower, as well as a 7-speed automatic transmission. Not enough? Check out the RS 7 and RS 7 Performance models for output of 560 and 605 horsepower, respectively. You’ll zip by so quickly, no one will be checking to see whether or not the car has a B-pillar.

Photo by Audi

2017 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe

The BMW 4-Series Coupe is the most popular option in this lineup of small luxury cars, but we’re more interested in the Gran Coupe, a 4-door design that starts at $41,950. The Gran Coupe is stylish enough, we suppose. It stands out in the sense that it’s a BMW, but it doesn’t really stand out amongst other BMWs at this price point. Still, it’s fun to drive, as it can be optioned out with a choice of engines. It’s reasonably practical, too, thanks to strong reliability ratings, a large trunk with plenty of room for cargo, and availability of the latest active safety features. Just don’t let the extra two doors trick you into thinking the backseat will be any more comfortable.

Photo by BMW

2017 BMW X6

We, along with most people, call the 2017 BMW X6 a midsize SUV (or a midsize crossover). BMW calls it a “Sports Activity Coupe.” And that’s why we’re including it on our list of 4-door coupes. Like most other BMWs, the X6 offers fantastic performance and above-average reliability… but aside from that, it’s kind of weird. It’s basically a BMW X5 crossover with a raked roof, and that actually makes it less functional than an X5. The altered roofline encroaches on the back row, which gives passengers less headroom, and it seriously compromises the cargo area capacity, too. Some people like the looks of it, though. If you’re one of them, you can get the X6 for as little as $61,400.

Photo by BMW

2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is the brand’s entry-level model, and a great option for buyers who are interested in trying out a relatively affordable luxury vehicle. With a starting price of $32,400, the CLA-Class is one of our favorite picks for a 4-door coupe. It’s got great styling that makes it look much more expensive than it actually is. Technically, the CLA-Class seats five, but it’s going to be a pretty tight squeeze in the back row. It’s more of a driver-oriented car, anyway, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine powering the base model. The CLA-Class gets decent fuel economy for the category, too, which increases its appeal.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

2017 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

The 2017 CLS-Class is yet another offering from Mercedes that appears on our list of 10 4-door coupes. The CLS-Class is a large luxury car with a starting price of $74,850 — not entry-level by any means, but arguably worth the price tag thanks to its good reliability ratings and abundance of high-tech safety features. The CLS-Class is also extremely comfortable. The interior design is in need of some updates, but the top-notch materials, supportive seating, and high build quality still provide a pleasant experience for driver and passengers alike. Though the size of the CLS-Class diminishes the “coupe” effect, it’s still a good-looking large car and well worth considering.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

2017 Porsche Panamera

Haters gonna hate, but the 2017 Porsche Panamera has won over the general public, even if some Porsche purists are still sticking up their noses. The Panamera is a large 4-door coupe that marked a significant departure for the brand when it was introduced back in 2010. Now, for the 2017 model year, it’s been fully redesigned and is better than ever, and more than worthy of the 4-door coupe description. Buyers can choose from several turbocharged engine options, all of which provide the kind of brisk acceleration and exciting driving dynamics that back the brand’s reputation. If you want a family-friendly Porsche, the Panamera is the way to go, and it starts at $85,000.

Photo by Porsche

2018 Toyota C-HR

Yes, we’re adding another crossover to our list of 10 4-door coupes. Blame Toyota, not us, since their newest model, the C-HR, stands for “coupe high-rider.” Whatever you think of the name, the 2018 C-HR is actually a rather attractive compact crossover with an affordable starting price of $23,460. The C-HR has an aggressive stance, a sharply-raked roof, and bold body lines. If it feels a bit too masculine, there are a few exterior color choices than can help soften it up, like a bright aquamarine body with a contrasting white roof. On the downside, Toyota doesn’t offer all-wheel drive with this micro SUV, but on the upside, there’s a ton of the latest safety technology.

Photo by Toyota

2018 Volkswagen Arteon

The all-new Volkswagen Arteon was recently revealed at the Geneva Auto Show, and it’s a bold move for VW. As we’ve already mentioned, a big 4-door coupe tends to lose some of the effect, but the Arteon manages to look more svelte than many others we’ve seen. It’s got a nice stance, the wheels fill the arches, and the subtle trunk lid spoiler provides a nice little “flip” effect, all of which help make this car look graceful and athletic. The Arteon’s interior looks modern and sophisticated, and VW also includes its latest safety and infotainment technology. We’re not yet sure if the Arteon will make it over from Europe, or how much it’ll cost, but so far, we like what we see.

Photo by Volkswagen

2017 Volkswagen CC

As you might expect, there’s room for only one 4-door coupe in the Volkswagen lineup, and even if the Arteon never makes it to the U.S., it’s long past time to put the VW CC to rest. The CC is a midsize 4-door coupe that’s based on the Passat, and it’s seen few significant updates over its nearly decade-long run. So maybe we’re being a little harsh on the CC. It’s not a bad car; it’s just one of the oldest examples of the 4-door coupe phenomenon that we’re listing here. The 2017 Volkswagen CC lists for $34,475, but we wouldn’t be surprised if you could get one for significantly less than that, seeing as it’s on the way out.

Photo by Volkswagen