Best coupé SUVs 2024 – tried, tested and rated
The best coupé SUVs are sleek yet practical, comfortable and enjoyable to drive. Here we count down the best - and the worst...
Like conventional coupés, these larger, more bulky coupé SUVs still tend to be bought for their sleek looks. However, the big difference here is that the style shouldn't come at the expense of too much practicality.
A well-equipped, well-finished interior that offers an elevated driving position is also important – as is a driving experience that strikes a good balance between comfort and agility.
But which model delivers all this best of all? After hundreds of miles behind the wheel of our winner, and every one of its rivals, our expert reviewers say the BMW X6 is the best coupé SUV on sale.
It’s not the only talented model out there, though, and below you’ll find the other models that should be vying for a place on your shortlist. Not only that, our listings of the best coupé SUV deals show you the price that you should be paying. Alternatively check out our rundown of the best SUVs of any type.
Strengths
- Plush interior that features class-leading infotainment
- Impressive handling
- Well-equipped
Weaknesses
- Some rivals are more spacious
- Firm edge to ride
- Some options are pricey
Without the BMW X6, it’s doubtful this class would even exist. However, it isn’t our number one choice for its history, but because the latest version is a brilliant all-rounder. It’s agile and entertaining to drive, yet you don't pay for this composure with a punishing ride. Meanwhile, the interior is as easy to use as it is beautifully built, and you even get generous rear space. Performance is stunning no matter which engine you choose, but we’re particularly keen on the smooth and impressively frugal 30d diesel.
Read our BMW X6 review
Our pick: 2.0 D200 MHEV S 5dr Auto
Strengths
- Very comfy with smaller wheels or air suspension
- Cheaper versions are temptingly priced
- Huge boot
Weaknesses
- Rivals are more agile
- Fiddly climate controls
- Disappointing reliability record
The Range Rover Velar is a stylish, refined and seriously appealing coupé SUV, plus it's very comfortable if you resist the temptation to upgrade to big wheels. Our favoured S trim keeps the price sensible and still provides plenty of standard kit.
Read our Range Rover Velar review
Strengths
- Powerful engines
- Fantastic handling for a big SUV
- Classy interior
Weaknesses
- Expensive to run
- Stingy kit list
- Brilliant air suspension is optional
As with the regular Porsche Cayenne, the biggest strengths of the Coupé are its handling and performance. In fact, the GTS, which is the sweet-spot in the range, offers about as much fun as you can have with a car that's this tall and heavy. Practicality is also pretty good, so it's only the high price and stingy standard kit that stop the Cayenne Coupé finishing even higher here.
Read our Porsche Panamera Coupé review
Our pick: 300kW 55 Quattro 114kWh Sport 5dr Auto
Strengths
- Confidence-inspiring handling
- Very smooth and quiet
- Luxurious interior
Weaknesses
- Distracting climate controls
- Some rivals are more fun
- Vorsprung trim is pricey
As a fully electric coupé SUV, the Audi Q8 E-tron Sportback is about as on-trend as it’s possible to be right now, but it’s far more than just a fashion accessory. Few cars are as quiet at speed, it does a great job of soaking up bumps, and the interior is lavish. Just bear in mind that the range between charges is nothing special by modern standards.
Read our Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron review
Our pick: 300kW 55 Quattro 114kWh Sport 5dr Auto
Strengths
- Spacious interior
- Fantastic build quality
- Strong range of engines
Weaknesses
- Pricey to buy
- Lack of physical buttons for infotainment system
- Iffy reliability and average warranty
If electric power isn't for you, you're after a coupé-SUV look and are shopping with a hefty budget, then the classy, spacious and refined Q8 is seriously worth considering. That said, we wish the infotainment system was more user friendly. Both the petrol and diesel engines are strong, though.
Read our Audi Q8 review
Our pick: 1.2 PureTech [130] Plus 5dr
Strengths
- Comfortable ride
- Little wind or road noise
- Well priced
Weaknesses
- Body lean in bends
- Boot is on the small side
- No alarm on entry-level model
Most coupé SUVs wear premium badges that bring premium price tags. However, the Citroën C4 makes the same blend of swoopy looks and elevated seating much more affordable. Refinement and comfort also impress, but you do pay for the C4's cushiness with roly-poly handling.
Read our Citroën C4 review
Our pick: xDrive20d MHT M Sport 5dr Step Auto
Strengths
- Sharp handling
- Smooth diesel engine in 20d
- User-friendly infotainment system
Weaknesses
- Pricey to buy
- Limited rear head room
- Some blindspots
Keen drivers will appreciate the BMW X4's strong engines and top-notch handling, but the news isn't so good for six-footers confined to the rear seats, because the plunging roofline forces them to slouch. BMW's iDrive infotainment system is the best around.
Read our BMW X4 review
Strengths
- Strong engines
- Tidy, if not exactly fun, handling
- Clever rear seats
Weaknesses
- Tight rear head room
- Firm ride
- Expensive high-spec models
The Audi Q3 Sportback is more than roomy enough for most families, plus it offers composed handling and accurate steering. Just bear in mind that the ride can be a little firm, and some of the bigger-selling engines sound rough.
Read our Audi Q3 Sportback review
Strengths
- Striking interior
- Strong performance
- Generous equipment
Weaknesses
- Compromised practicality
- Average ride and handling
- Expensive compared to rivals
Like the pricier GLE Coupé, the Mercedes GLC Coupé isn't as spacious as direct rivals, and is okay rather than great to drive. However, the engines are strong, it's very well equipped and the interior has serious wow factor.
Read our Mercedes GLC Coupé review
Strengths
- Low CO2 emissions on plug-in
- Plenty of standard kit
- Big boot on non-plug-ins
Weaknesses
- Unsettled ride
- Not particularly fun to drive
- Limited rear head room
There are coupé SUVs that are more practical and better to drive, but the Mercedes GLE Coupé has a dazzling interior and, on air suspension, is a comfortable cruiser. Go for the 400d and you also get one of the best diesel engines around; it blends effortless performance with good fuel economy, and is both smooth and quiet, even under hard acceleration.
Read our Mercedes GLE Coupé review
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And the coupé SUV to avoid...
The Eclipse Cross is far from a bad car, mixing refined petrol engines with a spacious interior. However, its poor body control and unsophisticated low-speed ride mean there are better options for the same sort of money. Read our review
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