3 Best Coupes for 2021 According to TrueCar
TrueCar submitted its list of the best coupes in 2021. While each car has its merits, TrueCar made some interesting choices to occupy the top three slots, including two BMWs and one Audi. TrueCar lists are data-driven, based on findings from data journalists, customer surveys, and Automotive Lease Guide (ALG) industry research. It looks at comfort and amenities, fuel or electric efficiency, performance, practicality, and technical features. In a few years, some of these may make TrueCar’s list for the best, used sports cars for summer.
2021 BMW 4 Series: Baseline Performance Coupe
BMW’s 4 Series claimed #1 Best Coupe according to TrueCar. It performs beyond its controversial front-end restyling. As its most popular trim the 430i sports a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four that sends 255 horsepower to the rear wheels, mated to a paddle-shifted 8-speed automatic transmission. If that’s not enough the M440i is always there to boost performance, with its 382 horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six and all-wheel drive.
Along with its $46,595 MSRP, the 430i includes a laundry list of state-of-the-art safety features. All the usual refinements like brake assist, traction control, and stability control are included, while lane keeps assist and forward collision indicate warnings to fill in the blanks. The 4 Series offers little for the price, but its occupancy of the #1 slot for TrueCar’s best coupes comes down to driving experience and interior space. The 4 series is also reliable.
2021 Audi A5: Best Luxurious, Affordable, Nimble Coupe
In true Audi fashion, the A5 scorches onto the scene with all-wheel drive and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. TrueCar cites sporty handling and a plush cabin as formidable strengths, featuring high-quality materials and heated leather seats. Its MSRP lands less than the BMW at $42,845 but includes a dual-clutch transmission and 261 horsepower.
The A5’s curb weight is heftier than the BMW by about 200 pounds, but it includes more modern safety features. It includes brake assist and automatic braking, as well as Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. If it’s like other Audis, the A5 will push forward with unrelenting aggression and frenetic determination. It was one of the top 5 AWD sports cars last year as well.
2021 BMW M4: TrueCar’s Best Real Sports Coupe
BMW claimed two of the top three spots on TrueCar’s list for best coupes for 2021. BMW’s M class stands for high performance, and nearly every M car has made a mark on automobile performance history. The M4 continues this tradition, with laser-precise handling and sudden acceleration. Its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six delivers 503 horsepower to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission as standard.
The M4 satisfies the need for a true sports car, thanks to its horsepower, rear-wheel-drive, and manual transmission, but it comes at a cost. It rockets past the 430i’s MSRP to an astronomical $72,795, which includes mostly the same safety features as the 4 Series. The M4 also comes with pedestrian detection and automatic braking.
TrueCar’s data illuminated some interesting choices as best coupes of 2021, and coupes may be becoming a rare breed. It included facets of the cars that might otherwise be overlooked by enthusiasts, such as comfort level or amenities. Regardless, the best bang for the buck appears to be the Audi, as it’s cheaper and offers more features than either BMW. Enthusiasts, however, might be better suited to the M4.
