What Exactly Is an SUV Coupe?

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Summary

The SUV coupe combines the off-roading capabilities of an SUV with the sporty look and feel of a traditional coupe.
BMW first introduced the concept of an SUV coupe to the market with its X6 at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. Other luxury car manufacturers soon followed suit.
The SUV coupe benefits from many advantages taken from both the coupe and SUV portions of its heritage. It has good off-road capabilities, better performance, and is aerodynamically designed. However, it does suffer from a higher price tag than typical SUVs and doesn’t have the traditional look of a true coupe.
The majority of SUV coupes on the market are from luxury manufacturers, but more everyday manufacturers like Toyota are starting to throw their hat into the ring.

Contents hide

1. SUV Coupe History Summarized

2. Advantages and Disadvantages of an SUV Coupe

2.1. Advantages

2.2. Disadvantages

3. Current SUV Coupe Models on the Market

The SUV coupe goes by many names. It’s also called the crossover coupe, sports utility coupe, and sports activity coupe (SAC). This might puzzle some drivers who know the coupe as a class of car with only two doors, but the SUV coupe is anything but typical. It combines the off-roading capabilities of an SUV with the sporty look and feel of a traditional coupe. So how did this combination come to be, and is it as good as it sounds? Let’s find out.

SUV Coupe History Summarized

At the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW first introduced the concept of an SUV coupe to the market with the X6. The vehicle had elements of the BMW X5 at its bottom half and more coupe–like elements on its top half. Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, and other car manufacturers started to follow suit shortly after with their own versions of the SUV coupe. The Jaguar I-Pace, Mercedes-Benz GLE, and more were pushed into production, solidifying the SUV coupe category over time.

Advantages and Disadvantages of an SUV Coupe

The modern SUV coupe draws its size, practicality, and capability from its SUV heritage. At the same time, it inherits the low-roof design, sporty spirit, and high-performance aspects from the traditional coupe. While this combination definitely has its benefits, there are also a few drawbacks to look out for when deciding if an SUV coupe is for you.

Advantages

Here are some advantages of SUV coupes:

Rugged and capable of off roading
Better overall performance than conventional SUVs
Aerodynamic body
SUV-like road presence
More feature-filled and spacious than a coupe
Similar visibility and ride height to SUVs

Disadvantages

Of course, coupe SUVs also have their drawbacks.

Higher price tag than traditional SUVs
Isn’t a “true” coupe with a two-door design
Less headroom and cargo space than traditional SUVs
Poorer performance than traditional coupes due to weight and higher center of gravity

Current SUV Coupe Models on the Market

There are a good number of SUV coupes out on the market today if you want to purchase one for yourself. This includes the following vehicles:

Mercedes-Benz GLC coupe
Mercedes-AMG GLC43/GLC63
Mercedes-AMG GLE43/GLE63 coupe
Lamborghini Urus
Audi Q8
BMW X2
BMW X4
BMW X6 & X6 M
Toyota C-HR

The coupe SUV has come a long way since its debut in the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. While it’s still clearly a category dominated by more high-end manufacturers, a few others, like Toyota, are throwing their hat into the ring for more budget-friendly offerings. We aren’t yet sure if the coupe SUV will continue to rise in popularity, but it’s safe to say that for now, the category is one to watch.

About The Authors

Written By

CarParts.com Research Team

Automotive and Tech Writers

The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.

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Anthony Harlin

Technical Reviewer at CarParts.com

Tony Harlin is a Master Gas and Diesel Diagnostic Technician with over 18 years of experience. He works full-time at a large independent automotive shop as a driveability and repair technician working on all types of vehicles with a focus on diesels. ASE certifications include A1-A9, L1 and L2, as well as X1.

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