What Exactly Is an SUV Coupe?

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.