Most Affordable Coupe SUV: Top 10
First there were the four-door coupes, then came the onslaught of coupe SUVs.
There may be no term in the automotive world that has been used with as much creative freedom as coupe has been in recent times. Historically, the term coupe referred to ‘a four-wheeled enclosed carriage for two passengers and a driver’. But with the popularity of the automobile over the past 100+ years, that definition was altered to ‘a car with a fixed roof, two doors, and a sloping rear‘.
Lately it appears another revision is being made, omitting the middle part of that definition, as many now refer to anything with a fixed roof and sloping rear as a coupe. Even big SUVs are being labelled as coupes as long as the rear passenger and cargo compartments features a steeply raked roofline. Whether you agree with this term being used to classify them or not, there’s no denying the coupe SUV’s popularity. Currently there close to 20 of these models on sale, with more arriving every year.
Coupe SUVs have been the domain of luxury automakers, which means a premium needed to be paid to acquire one of these stylish utility vehicles. But recently, more mainstream entries have arrived, making entry into a SUV Coupe far more affordable. When we first published this article four years ago, there were five coupe SUVs that started under the $53,000 mark. Now, nearly the entire list undercuts $60,000. What's even more impressive, is that over half the list are all-electric vehicles too.
To highlight the top 10 most affordable Coupe SUVs currently on sale, we have them listed in order below.
10. Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron - $60,295
Starting our list, and just breaking the $60,000 pricing point including destination charges is the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron. The stylish twin to the regular Q4 e-tron, the Sportback comes standard with dual motors making a total of 335 hp. Powered by a 84 kWh battery, the stylish luxury SUV coupe is good for 251 miles of range.
9. Polestar 4 – $57,800
The second-straight all-electric vehicle to make our list is the recently introduced Polestar 4. Arguably one of the most stylish vehicles on this list, in its entry level form, the Polestar 4 has a single 272 hp motor that powers the rear wheels. For just $6,500 more its possible to get the dual-motor, 544 hp version that can rocket from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds.
8. Audi Q5 Sportback - $56,395
Switching back to Audi, we have the gasoline cousin to the Q4 next on our list, the venerable Q5 Sportback. It too comes stand with all-wheel drive, powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Q5 Sportback is one of the original SUV Coupes to come to market and after all these years, it still remains one of the most affordable too.
7. Genesis GV60 - $54,020
The seventh most affordable SUV Coupe is another electric vehicle, and the only one on our list from Korea. The small, funky Genesis GV60 is another vehicle to come with a single motor powering the rear wheels in entry level form. Making 225 hp, the 84 kWh battery allows for good range in this futuristic looking luxury vehicle.
6. BMW X2 xDrive28i - $46,050
The last luxury vehicle on our list is the gasoline-powered BMW X2. In entry level xDrive28i form, pricing starts well below $50,000 for this all-wheel drive compact SUV Coupe. Like the larger Audi Q5, the BMW X2 also uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Other than the rear section, the X2 looks a lot like BMW's other more conventional SUVs.
5. Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport - $39,775
The largest-sized SUV Coupe on our list, and the first from a mainstream manufacturer, is the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Based on the regular three-row Atlas, the Cross Sport loses the rear most seat in the name of style with a raked rear cargo hatch. Power for the Atlas Cross Sport comes via a turbocharged four-cylinder paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
4. Toyota C-HR - $38,450
The next three entries on this list are all-electric, and two are quite similar. First up is the recently introduced Toyota C-HR. Unlike the first generation of the C-HR, the new vehicle is radically different. The SUV Coupe-like styling is all that remains similar as under the sheetmetal resides an all-electric architecture. The amazing part of this vehicle is the fact it starts well under $40,000, yet comes standard with all-wheel drive and a combined 338 hp.
3. Subaru Uncharted - $36,445
The Toyota C-HR's mechanical sibling is the co-developed Subaru Uncharted. The Subie though holds a price advantage as it has an entry level option not available on the Toyota: front-wheel drive. Yep, it's crazy to think that Subaru, the company known for all-wheel drive, is the one that offers a two-wheel drive option, but the entry-level Uncharted does indeed come in a single motor variant with 221 hp.
2. Nissan LEAF - $31,485
Ok, it's controversy time. The Nissan LEAF is the most affordable all-electric SUV-Coupe and the second most affordable entry overall. But is it really a SUV? Nissan considers it a crossover and the styling does indeed evoke that notion. But, the new front-wheel-drive-only LEAF is smaller than the hatchback car it replaces and sits lower to the ground. Since the whole notion of a coupe-ified SUV is abstract to begin with, we'll allow this entry.
1. Buick Envista - $26,495
The pricing on the Buick Envista continues to amaze us. As a premium brand, this small, super-stylish vehicle is priced lower than many mainstream compact cars. Like the Nissan LEAF, the Envista is really stretching the definition of a SUV as it's little more than than a raised up subcompact. But it still looks the part and at this price point, in this segment, that's probably the most important factor.
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A 20+ year industry veteran, Mike rejoins the AutoGuide team as the Managing Editor. He started his career at a young age working at dealerships, car rentals, and used car advertisers. He then found his true passion, automotive writing. After contributing to multiple websites for several years, he spent the next six years working at the head office of an automotive OEM, before returning back to the field he loves. He is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA). He's the recipient of a feature writing of the year award and multiple video of the year awards.
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That is what they these auto makers want you to believe because they can't compete with a real coupe. Sedans and coupes differ primarily in door count, passenger capacity, and styling: . Sedans offer better practicality and cargo space, while coupes prioritize performance and styling. Coupes are typically two-door, sporty vehicles with, lower rooflines, and tighter rear seating, prioritizing style and agility. Sedans feature four doors, a longer body, and more comfortable, spacious rear seating designed for families or daily commuting