Coupes

Top-rated coupes overall

The Honda Civic coupe (*est. $14,810 to $23,040) might not be the perfect car for every driver, but it certainly earns lots of points from critics for trying. The base Civic DX coupe scores as low-cost but high-quality basic transportation. The Civic has also been lauded as an excellent choice for someone who wants to save gas but is not quite ready to jump to a hybrid. Finally, the Si trim line, with its more powerful 198-horsepower engine and sport-tuned suspension, has turned heads as a vehicle with a sports car's personality but an everyday car's sensibilities. According to editors at Edmunds.com, "If this car were human, therapists would probably be trying to treat it for multiple personality disorder."

Edmunds.com editors and readers are clearly enamored of the Civic in its many guises, and it scores a trifecta by garnering Editors' Most Wanted, Consumers' Most Wanted and Editors' Top Recommended awards at the site. The Civic also earns multiple awards at AutoSite.com, where editors named it best non-hybrid for the environment and best car for teen drivers.

The 2007 Civic is virtually unchanged from the 2006 model, which benefited from a complete redesign that breathed fresh life into the line with improved looks and performance. Except for the Si trim level, all Civics use a 4-cylinder i-VETC engine that can generate 140 horsepower. EPA mileage ratings are 30 mpg/city and 40 mpg/highway (using 2007 EPA standards). The Si ups the horses to 197, and drops the gas economy to 23 mpg/city and 32 mpg/highway (2007 standards). Critics are universal in singing the praises of the driving experience the Si provides. CNet.com, for example, writes that "everyone who drove the Si came away smiling," while Edmunds.com says "the Si is one of the few cars available in any price range that makes you want to drive it just for the sake of driving." The Civic also benefits from an extremely strong reputation for reliability and good safety for a coupe, with a bevy of airbags and antilock brakes standard on all trim lines. Stability control is also standard on the Si trim line.

The MINI Cooper (*est. $18,050 to $21,200) is another top choice among budget coupes. This is a so-called "cute" coupe, and in terms of distinctive styling, really only competes head to head with the Volkswagen New Beetle. It's not much of a competition, however, as critics give the Cooper the decided edge on the strength of its superior handling. Kelley Blue Book is one of a number of reviewers that have fallen in love with the MINI Cooper. They laud its handling and looks, and note that their infatuation with the car is shared by consumers as the car has well exceeded the sales expectations of BMW, MINI's parent company.

While the engineering inside the Cooper is German, the looks are distinctly British and recreate the look of the original Cooper, which was popular worldwide in the 1960s. The 2007 model is a notable refresh of the reborn Cooper, which debuted in 2002. Outside, it's hard to see the difference, but the 2007 car is slightly larger. Inside, both the Cooper and the turbocharged Cooper S get more powerful engines and updated cabin styling.

Undoubtedly the MINI Cooper is a small vehicle, but critics say it does a good job with the space that's available. Still, passengers in the back seat are not likely to be very happy, and we've seen comments that the seats in general are not the most comfortable. Power is not outstanding, even in the S version, which features a turbocharged engine, but handling and responsiveness are, with Edmunds.com saying it sucks you into the driving experience. Free scheduled maintenance for the first three years makes the Cooper even more of a bargain.

As you move up in price, you come to coupes that offer a blend of performance and styling that's more likely to turn heads. While these cars fall short of the performance that true sports cars can deliver, they do well enough in their own right, and offer the kind of comfort and safety features that make them a better choice for everyday driving.

The Audi TT (*est. $34,800 to $41,500) sits at the top in this category based on reviews. The TT is actually a 2008 model that has been released early and brings with it a complete redesign that helps redefine the vehicle. That's probably a good thing, since earlier versions of the TT have not been as well received.

The 2008 Audi TT is available with two engine/powertrain configurations. The less expensive version features a 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. The step-up powertrain couples a 250-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 with Audi's quattro four-wheel drive system. Forbes, one of several reviewers who rate the Audi TT highly, says neither configuration will please sports-car purists, but the Audi TT will stay on the road under conditions -- such as rain -- that send most rear-drive sports cars to the sidelines. Forbes adds that the car's nose-heavy nature compromises handling relative to "purebred" sports cars like the Chevrolet Corvette, especially on windy roads. WhatCar.com, which also rates the Audi TT highly, says the lighter front-wheel drive version actually feels "more alert and more fun to drive" than the heavier 4WD version.

The Audi TT is packed with safety features, including antilock brakes, electronic stability control and side impact/side curtain airbags. However, perhaps the most interesting feature of the Audi TT is the electrically powered spoiler which rises from the boot lid once the coupe reaches 75 mph to help increase the downforce (it can also be raised by the driver at any speed).

Interior and exterior styling have also been updated on the Audi TT, though critical response has been mixed. WhatCar.com notes that some of the intricate cabin detailing of the previous model is missing, but otherwise says the look is "cohesive and attractive." Forbes calls the exterior "more purposeful, but without losing the TT's iconic shape," but TopGear.com spends paragraphs saying that it doesn't look as good as it did in previous years. Everyone agrees that the rear seat is essentially useless for adults.

If you crave the utmost in luxury to go with your performance, reviews say you can't do better than the BMW 3 Series 335i coupe (*est. $40,800) . In naming it their car of the year, AutoSite.com calls it stunning, and says its cabin is "equal parts luxury and business." The editors also say that this is not just a coupe version of a luxury sedan, but a different and more "driver-oriented" choice.

While performance is certainly here, comfort and luxury set the BMW 335i apart from the competition. Build quality is first rate, with AutoSite.com saying it "feels more expensive than it is -- which is saying something for a luxury car!" The seats are firm yet comfortable, even in the rear (though leg and shoulder room there is a little tight). Edmunds.com's InsideLine.com reports that there's plenty of room for a six-foot-two-inch-tall tester behind the wheel. Not everything is perfect, however, as Inside Line says that robot arms designed to bring the seatbelts to those in the front seats seem flimsy, and the one on the passenger side came apart in testing, but could be snapped back together. But that is the only misstep they note in an interior that is otherwise "impeccably trimmed."

On the road, testers also rave about the car's performance. The BMW 335i is equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter engine capable of churning out 300 horsepower -- and plenty of power at any speed, according to Consumer Guide. Steering control, handling and braking are all first rate, though AutoSite.com says the car is "a little skittish" in corners.

Runner-up coupes

For those looking for an entry-level coupe, Toyota offers a couple of noteworthy options. The Toyota Yaris (*est. $ 11,150 to $12,050) is the successor to the sometimes-maligned Echo and has been generally well received. That car is among the least expensive coupes available. However, as Consumer Guide notes, adding options that are standard elsewhere can quickly raise the price. Critics say you should look elsewhere for robust performance, with Kelley Blue Book summing up the consensus by saying it's "not a sporty performer by any stretch." Still, it gets great gas mileage for a non-hybrid -- 34 mpg/city, 40 mpg/highway (2007 standards), and critics say its a good choice for someone looking for a distinctive commuter or around-the-town coupe. Keep in mind that among subcompacts, the four-door Honda Fit (*est. $13,850 to $15,170) gets far better reviews than the Yaris.

The Scion tC (*est. $15,000 to $17,200) is the antithesis of the Yaris in many ways. It is more expensive to start with, but is equipped much more impressively. It also has plenty of power, courtesy of its 160-horsepower 4-cylinder engine. Consumer Guide, Kelley Blue Book and others laud its acceleration and say that handling is very good, though perhaps not as good as some others in this class, such as the MINI Cooper. Finally, fuel economy is not as good as the Yaris, but at 23 mpg/city, 31 mpg/highway (2007 EPA standards), it's not exactly a gas guzzler either. Reviewers note that Scion vehicles, including the tC, are aimed at the youth market, and this hatchback coupe does a good job of hitting its target.

Although it stretches the definition of "entry-level" somewhat, the coupe version of the Honda Accord (*est. $20,475 to $27,500) gets some recognition as well. AskMen.com names it as one of the top "sleeper cars" -- cars that deliver sporty performance under a subdued façade. It also earns a spot on Car and Driver magazine's top 10 cars list for 2007; not a surprise, really, since the magazine has placed an Accord on that list in 21 out of the last 25 years. In general, critics say the Accord coupe does well in terms of acceleration and handling, but isn't very spacious inside, and its seats are not that comfortable. Of course, like the Civic, the Accord does benefit from a tremendous track record.

The 2008 Volvo C30 (*est. $22,700 to $25,700) offers a wealth of safety features and performance for a decent price, but really lacks in terms of space. The C30 is directly related to the S40 sedan, which has had a history of reliability issues, so critics are speculative about this car. Nonetheless, the performance is impressive, and the Volvo earns some positive recognition.

Among more expensive performance coupes, the Infiniti G35 (*est. $31,450 to $34,050) receives positive feedback from several well-regarded critics, including Edmunds.com and ForbesAutos.com. Impressive fuel efficiency and luxurious features balance out the sporty driving nature of the G35. Plus, with a price tag that falls below the $35,000 mark, the Infiniti represents a value in its class: It may not be the fastest coupe, but it delivers enough power to satisfy most drivers and does so without breaking the bank.

According to Edmunds.com, looks are where the G35 really shines: "Styling is a standout star on the G35, imparting a sense of luxury, sport and sophistication both outside and in." The G35 coupe is available with a choice of two engines: a 275-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 or a 293-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6. The fuel economy is estimated by the EPA at 18 to 19 mpg/city and 25 to 27 mpg/highway (2007 standards). Safety features include antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution; front, front side and side curtain airbags; active head restraints; and a tire pressure-monitoring system. The Infiniti G35 is better known as a sedan, and the sedan versions received a significant redesign for the 2007 model year (those models are covered in our report on sports sedans ). The coupe version is set for a redesign in 2008 as the Infiniti G37, and we've seen a couple of good early reviews for that soon-to-be-released coupe.

Mercedes-Benz delivers a luxury coupe experience with its CL-Class (*est. $99,900 to $144,220) . In addition to spirited performance, the vehicle offers a high level of elegance and luxury compared to the competition. Nearly every feature imaginable can be found in the CL-Class. Obvious drawbacks are the high price and low fuel economy.

Important Features: Coupes

The following is what experts say to consider when choosing a coupe:

• Coupes are not the best family cars. Unlike sports cars, the coupes in this report have seating for four and sometimes five. But comfort for rear-seat passengers is iffy at best even in the roomiest models -- especially for longer trips -- and getting into and out of those rear seats can be a challenge.

• Safety is on the upswing. Coupes are bought as fun vehicles, with safety sometimes relegated to an afterthought. However, more and more manufacturers are including safety features in coupes, such as multiple air bags, stability control, antilock brakes and more. Several coupes have done reasonably well in government and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash testing. Still, the laws of physics apply, and coupes are typically among the smallest and lowest-riding vehicles on the road.

• Take insurance into consideration. Note that some coupes will cost more in insurance than other types of vehicles, as they are usually lumped together with performance cars. Basically, if the coupe you like looks like or is a derivative of a sports car, you'll be paying sports car insurance. If it looks like or is derivative of a sedan, you'll be paying sedan insurance.

• Gas mileage estimates are changing. In the wake of challenges from the American Automobile Association and other groups and consumers, the EPA is revising the way it estimates gas mileage to better reflect real-world driving conditions. Those revised estimates will appear beginning with all new 2008 vehicles. All mpg figures in this report are the current (2007) estimates, but if you want to see what mileage estimates would be using the EPA's new standards, visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (with retailer links)	Details from Edmunds.com
7	Honda Civic (*est. $14,810 to $23,040)	details
5	MINI Cooper (*est. $18,050 to $21,200)	details
4	Audi TT (*est. $34,800 to $41,500)	details
4	BMW 3 Series 335i (*est. $40,800)	details
3	Scion tC (*est. $15,000 to $17,200)	details
3	Toyota Yaris (*est. $ 11,150 to $12,050)	details
3	Infiniti G35 (*est. $31,450 to $34,050)	details
2	Honda Accord (*est. $20,475 to $27,500)	details
1 each	Hyundai Accent , Pontiac G5 , Mercedes-Benz CL-Class , Volvo C30 (2008) , Volkswagen Rabbit

Regardless of your budget or reason for wanting a coupe, there are plenty of good options available. Among those is the Honda Civic, whose many trim lines fill niches for those wanting inexpensive transportation, an environmentally friendly non-hybrid or a pulse-quickening sports car experience without the compromises -- or expense -- most sports cars demand. The MINI Cooper and Cooper S deliver a head-turning "cute" coupe that, while not the most powerful car on the road, is a blast to drive. For those craving the utmost in performance in a car that's more suitable for day-to-day driving, the new Audi TT gets some recognition. Finally, if you crave luxury and performance, it is tough to top the BMW 3 Series 335i coupe.

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