Coupes have almost become a lost art in the automotive world in recent decades, and you’ll usually find them in luxury form nowadays. Yet, much like their convertible counterparts, the coupes persist. They’ve even expanded to other, unconventional segments in terms of compatibility so we now have a somewhat annoying coupe crossovers or coupe SUVs. Some of the best 2021 coupes are actually not coupes at all. At least not in traditional sense of the word.
The definition of a coupe has evolved in recent years, however. Much as the entire car market has, after all. Not only do we now have coupe-like crossovers, but there are plenty of 4-door sedans car manufacturers would like you to believe are coupes. We’ll let them believe they’ve succeeded in tricking us, but we won’t be considering these vehicles for this particular list. Even though there aren’t too many coupes that fit the definition any more.
So, without further ado, here are some of the best coupes 2021 will bring to market. Note that we’ve only considered conventional, internal-combustion powered vehicles as all-electric passenger cars and SUVs have already been covered in separate articles.
07. 2021 Audi A5 and S5
First unveiled in 2016, the second-generation Audi A5 was refreshed for MY 2020 after making its debut at the 2019 Frankfurt auto show. The only Audi non-sports car coupe is available on numerous forms: from a plushy A5 to the sporty RS 5. Sadly, the latter is only expected to arrive at a later date. Luckily, that date will have been reached by the time MY 2021 is upon us.
The redesigned Audi A5 and S5 coupe line follow in A4 and S4’s footsteps. The compact executive sedan lineup has already been visually enhanced prior to this date and boasts a revised grille, and remodeled front and rear fascias. Needless to say, the coupes offer more of the same.
Inside, the facelifted A5 and S5 get a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen display which again pairs with the MMI infotainment system. Other than that, however, most of Audi’s general population coupe’s visuals have been carried over.
In order to make up for it, the Germans have revised the A5 and S5’s powertrains. Only in Europe, however. The U.S.-spec A5 sticks with its 2.0L turbo-four capable of providing 248 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, while the S5 uses a 3.0L turbocharged V6 with 349 ponies and 369 lb-ft of torque. The forthcoming range-topping performer RS 5 will also stick with its 2.9L twin-turbo V6 which cranks up 444 hp and 443 lb-ft of twist.
Prices are expected to rise by a slight margin. At the moment, the A5 coupe starts at $45,000, while the S5 costs at least $53,000. The ultimate RS 5, however, requires a hefty $75,000.
06. 2021 BMW M8
The most powerful version of the BMW 8 Series has been available since the late 2019 but there won’t be many better coupes 2021 will bring to market than that. The 2021 BMW M8 replaces the outgoing M6 coupe and shares a lot in common with the latest M5 sedan.
Design-wise, differences between the conventional 8 Series coupe and M8 coupes are what you’ve come to expect. Special wheels, a larger spoiler, and more aggressive front splitter and rear diffuser are the most important of them. Never mind the special stiffer suspension and sportier exhaust system.
Interior boasts plenty of Alcantara leather and carbon fiber trim pieces because that’s apparently the only combination a high-end performance car can get. The all-new BMW M8 also gets the exclusive “Track Mode” which deactivates all the comfort and safety gear, but is only available with the range-topping Competition models. Also new this year is a braking system with adjustable pedal feel.
The most important piece shared between the M5 and M8 is their heart. Under the hood of these performance models beats a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 which cranks up 600 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of twist. Opt for the Competition models and you’ll get 17 ponies more – aside from the aforementioned.
Every BMW M8 employs an 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox which routes all that power to four wheels. Purists will be glad to know that a rear-wheel-drive mode will be available, however. The conventional M8 coupe will start from around $135,000, but the optional Competition package will warrant a lot more.
05. 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53
Although it may not be the most practical of Mercedes-Benz models, the E Class coupe is arguably one of the most stylish ones among the crowd. Much like the entire range consisting of sedans, convertibles, and wagons, the E Class coupe is also in for a mid-cycle makeover for early MY 2021. Arguably the most interesting choice will be the performance-tuned AMG E53.
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 doesn’t sport too many changes compared to the outgoing models, however. A mildly revised frontal fascia and a corresponding rear end are everything there is to it. Of course, the AMG badge does carry perks of its own, hence the E53 will be given a more aggressive treatment than its non-AMG counterparts.
Changes will be even more subtle inside, but a new infotainment system with a larger screen is still expected to make its debut. Different material patterns and color options are also likely to be provided, but don’t expect much more beyond that.
Being relatively new in the AMG offering, the E53 powertrain will carry over unchanged. The 3.0L turbocharged inline-six bolstered by a small electric motor which serves as a starter/generator produces a plentiful 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of rotational force. As before, only a 9-speed automatic transmission will be available stateside.
The AMG E53 is expected to arrive after the conventional E Class coupes, around MY 2021’s time. They won’t be available for anything less than $75,000 prior to extras.
04. 2021 Lexus LC F
The most expensive of Lexus models is finally getting the performance “F treatment” which it probably should have already received. The 2021 Lexus LC F will thus become the most powerful, most expensive, and fastest of all currently available Lexus models.
The upcoming LC F will boast the usual improvements for performance models such as different exhausts, a larger front splitter, and a different rear diffuser. It’ll also sport larger air intakes to help keep the engine cool. As far as the new range-topping Lexus coupe’s platform is concerned, it won’t differ much from that of the conventional models. Sportier suspension and beefier brakes will be used, but that’s about it. Also expect the new LC F to incorporate more carbon fiber parts in order to shed some weight.
Interior will be practically the same as it is the case with the base LC and LC 500h. Alcantara leather and carbon fiber trim pieces are expected to take the place of perforated leather and wood veneers of the regular lineup, however.
Under the new LC F’s hood will most likely beat the heart of the current LC models, albeit in a slightly modified form. The LC’s 5.0L V8 currently makes 471 ponies, but expect the performance model to produce way more than that. There’s also a possibility of the new car adopting a correspondingly new engine. It looks as though the Japanese have developed a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 mill specifically for this occasion. This engine should be able to generate north of 600 horsepower which would help the LC F become the most powerful Lexus car ever produced.
Regardless of which approach Lexus engineers decide to exercise, the upcoming Lexus LC F will be fitted with a contemporary 10-speed automatic transmission which will route all of the aforementioned power ti the rear. Expect one of the best coupes 2021 will have to offer to start from well-north of $100,000 once it finally reaches the dealerships across the country.
03. 2021 Porsche 911
The 992 generation of the world’s most famous luxury performance lineup of coupes and convertibles is coming along nicely. After starting out with the base Carrera models in the second half of 2019 (MY 2020), model year 2021 will round off the conventional 911 lineup when the range-topping Turbo models finally arrive.
The new 992 Porsche 911’s retain the timeless design of their predecessors and sport virtually no significant changes at all. The biggest news is the rear end tail-light strip which now graces the entire Porsche fleet. Also, for the first time in 911’s history, the entire range including the entry-level Carrera models has received a widebody treatment.
Inside, the new 911 has undergone a more substantial transformation. A modern widescreen display takes the older conventional touchscreen display’s infotainment duties, while the center console doesn’t feel as cluttered as before. As always, the 911 offers the utmost level of refinement Porsche’s are known for, and even the base models offer top-notch quality materials and a corresponding level of technology.
The entry-level Porsche 911 Carrera coupes use a 3.0L twin-turbo flat-six engine in combination with an 8-speed PDK automatic gearbox. The setup is good enough for 379 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of twist in the base or 443 ponies and 390 pound-feet in the Carrera S models. The forthcoming Porsche 911 Turbo will make use of a larger twin-turbocharged flat-six engine with around 600 horsepower on tap, while the ultimate Turbo S badge is expected to provide closer to 650 ponies.
The Porsche 911 Carrera coupe starts from around $97,500, while the Carrera S costs at least $113,500. An optional all-wheel drive adds another $7,300 to both stickers. The forthcoming 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo will be even more expensive. Expect them to cost $170,000 in the base and close to $200,000 in the Turbo S form. Still, that’s a small price to pay for one of the best 2021 coupes around.
02. 2021 Aston Martin Vantage
The Aston Martin Vantage offers a blend of luxury, styling, and performance only British exotic car manufacturers are known for. The exotic coupe with swan doors made its debut in 2018 (in current form) and shares a bonded-aluminium platform with the flagship DB11.
MY 2021 isn’t expected to bring any substantial changes to the Aston Martin Vantage range, hence the sports car will most likely carry over as is. A possibility of another special edition model like the 2020 Aston Martin Vantage AMR isn’t excluded, however. The track-focused Vantage AMR was the only way of obtaining an Aston Martin with a manual transmission thus far, but this is about to be changed during MY 2021. And in a nick of time as extremely limited quantity of 200 AMR units has already been spoken for.
Interior will remain unchanged as well although the British might provide an additional way or two of spicing things up by adding new interior color arrangements. New technology will have to wait for the official facelift later in Vantage’s life cycle.
The Mercedes-Benz’s AMG-tuned 4.0L twin-turbo V8 provides motivation for the Aston Martin’s 2-door sports car. It develops 503 hp and 505 lb-ft of torque which are sent to the rear via a standard 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. As stated above, an optional 7-speed Graziano manual will be available in future models after it’s made a successful debut in the current-generation Vantage AMR and previous generation’s Vantage S.
The 2021 Aston Martin Vantage starts from $150,000 but the British will happily provide numerous ways of pushing that price tag even further.
01. 2021 Jaguar F-Type
As one of the most beautiful coupes around, it doesn’t matter that the F-Type hasn’t been properly redesigned since 2014. Yet, the next-gen model is on its way and we’ll likely get it in time for model year 2021.
The all-new 2021 Jaguar F-Type is expected to be an evolution of the current model. At least when it comes to exterior design. Although it’ll receive a substantial makeover which should bring it closer to the recently redesigned XE, its overall shape will remain basically unchanged. The new car is expected to shed some weight though, which should help it achieve slightly better results when it comes to performance.
Interior is also in for a substantial makeover but Jaguar designers aren’t expected to produce anything out of the ordinary for a luxury 2-door coupe. Expect similar materials and a corresponding level of available tech.
The biggest change for the next-gen Jaguar F-Type will be hidden from view. The British automaker is expected to put a fork in its aging supercharged V6 engine and offer an electrified alternative for the next decade. The engine in question is expected to be a mild-hybrid 3.0L inline-six which is capable of generating up to 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque in the Range Rover P400. This also means that the next-gen F-Type will be offered exclusively with automatic transmission. After all, the stick has already been discontinued in late 2019.
The all-new Jaguar F-Type should be slightly more expensive than the outgoing models which start from just under $62,000. That’s still a reasonable amount, however. Especially for one of the most beautiful 2021 coupes you can buy nowadays.
