Is a Coupe Still Cool in 2025? Where It Fits in the Aussie Market

Introduction: Are Coupes Losing Their Cool?

Once the poster child of automotive flair, coupes have long been associated with speed, sportiness, and sleek design. But in 2025, the question lingers — is the coupe still cool, or is it quietly driving off into the sunset, replaced by SUVs, EVs, and family sedans?

Australia’s car buyers are now more practical and tech-savvy than ever. SUVs dominate the sales charts, utes are evolving into lifestyle choices, and hybrids and EVs are entering nearly every vehicle category. In this shifting landscape, where does the humble coupe stand?

Let’s dig into the data, the models, and the shifting sentiments to understand the fate of the coupe in Australia in 2025.

1. A Quick Recap: What Defines a Coupe?

A coupe, by traditional definition, is a two-door car with a fixed roof and a sloped rear, typically styled with an eye toward sportiness and aesthetics over practicality. Classic examples include the Ford Mustang, BMW 4 Series, and Audi A5.

Some modern coupes blur the lines—Mercedes’ CLA and BMW’s 4 Series Gran Coupe are technically four-door "coupes", marketed more for styling than layout.

Key characteristics:

• Two doors (traditionally)

• Low-slung roofline

• Sporty handling and appearance

• Limited rear seat space and boot practicality

2. Coupe Sales Trends in Australia: Then vs Now

Past Popularity

In the 1990s and 2000s, coupes like the Honda Prelude, Mitsubishi FTO, Toyota Celica, and Nissan 200SX were mainstream choices for young drivers. They were affordable, stylish, and accessible.

The 2010s Decline

As the SUV boom took hold, coupes began to disappear from showrooms. Brands started consolidating lineups, focusing on SUVs, utes, and efficient sedans.

Why the drop?

• SUVs offer more space, ride height, and family appeal

• Sedans became more refined and fuel-efficient

• Coupe practicality (rear seats, boot space) suffered

• Insurance for sporty cars often came at a premium

• Demand shifted toward multi-use vehicles

2020s and the Rise of EVs

The emergence of electric vehicles has further sidelined coupes. EV automakers are focusing on sedans, hatchbacks, and crossovers. The limited market for two-door coupes is rarely worth the development cost.

Still, the coupe is not dead. It has evolved and found new niches.

3. Who’s Buying Coupes in 2025?

1. Enthusiasts and Purists

These are buyers who value the driving experience. They appreciate a rear-wheel-drive setup, manual transmission (if available), responsive steering, and a connection to the road.

2. Style-Driven Buyers

A coupe still makes a statement. Whether it's parked outside a cafe or flying down a coastal road, it’s often the most stylish car in the carpark.

3. Empty Nesters and DINKS (Dual Income No Kids)

Couples without children or with grown-up kids often choose a coupe as a second car — a weekend toy that adds joy to driving.

4. Coupe Models Still Sold in Australia in 2025

Here are some standout coupe models still gracing Australian showrooms this year:

✅ Ford Mustang (2025)

• Still the best-selling sports coupe in Australia

• Now offered in both petrol V8 and electric Mach-E formats

• Timeless appeal with modern tech

✅ BMW 2 Series Coupe

• Rear-wheel-drive purist’s delight

• Inline-6 M240i version still thrills enthusiasts

• Offers a perfect blend of luxury and driving focus

✅ Audi TT Final Edition

• Farewell version released in 2025 as Audi transitions fully to EVs

• A collector’s item and design icon

✅ Toyota GR86 & Subaru BRZ (Gen 2)

• Lightweight, rear-drive sports coupes with cult followings

• Affordable performance, manual transmission available

• Beloved by driving purists

✅ Chevrolet Corvette (C8)

• Mid-engine layout brings supercar vibes at sports car prices

• Left-hand drive but still a head-turner in Australia

5. The Rise of the Four-Door Coupe: Marketing or Evolution?

Manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW now market several four-door sedans with coupe-like styling:

• Mercedes CLA and CLS

• Audi A5 Sportback

• BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

These vehicles provide the coupe design aesthetic but add practicality, making them popular among those who want style without compromising everyday use.

Verdict: The four-door coupe is thriving — not as a replacement, but as a re-imagined segment.

6. Are EV Coupes a Thing Yet?

Sort of.

The coupe body style is rare in the EV world, but some brands are testing the waters:

• Tesla Roadster (2025): Not yet on sale, but heavily hyped

• Polestar 6 (expected late 2025): Sleek electric convertible coupe

• Audi e-tron GT: Technically a four-door but has coupe proportions

• Hyundai Ioniq 6: Fastback profile with EV range and comfort

Challenge: EV platforms prioritize interior space and aerodynamics, making the coupe less practical for electric architecture.

7. Why Coupes Still Matter – Even in 2025

Despite declining sales, coupes still carry emotional and symbolic value in the car world:

🏁 Performance Credentials

• Lower centre of gravity = better handling

• Lighter weight = improved agility

• Stiffer chassis = sharper driving dynamics

🎨 Design Language

• Coupes inspire the design of entire brand lineups

• Often used as “halo cars” to draw attention in showrooms

🔧 Engineering Testbeds

• Car brands often experiment with technology and materials in their performance coupes before rolling them out to mass-market models

8. Coupe vs SUV: Why SUVs Win the Sales War

Let’s face it — SUVs dominate because they offer what most Australians want in a car today:

Still, coupes offer what SUVs can’t:

• Driver engagement

• Styling flair

• Niche uniqueness

9. Used Coupe Market in Australia: 2025 Insights

If you're chasing a coupe on a budget, the used market has a treasure trove:

🔧 Popular Used Coupes in Demand:

• Hyundai Genesis Coupe

• Nissan 370Z

• Mazda RX-8 (collectible status rising)

• Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ (older gen)

• BMW 3 Series Coupe (E92, F32)

• Holden Monaro (still a cult car!)

Tip: Be wary of insurance costs and previous accident damage, especially for high-performance models.

10. The Future of Coupes in Australia: What’s Coming?

Upcoming Coupe-Inspired Models:

• Polestar 6 (Electric Roadster Coupe)

• Toyota GR86 Special Editions

• Ford Mustang GTD (if global allocation permits)

• Nissan Z Nismo (2025 variant expected)

• Electric coupes from BYD and NIO (Chinese brands testing Aussie market)

Outlook: The coupe won’t dominate, but it won’t vanish. It will become a premium niche, serving those who prioritise joy over utility.

11. Should You Buy a Coupe in 2025?

Ask yourself:

• Do you care more about driving feel than boot space?

• Do you want a car that looks different from the crowd?

• Can you live without rear doors and easy parking?

If you answered “yes” — a coupe might be exactly what you need.

12. Final Thoughts: Coupes Still Have a Place

In a world filled with practical SUVs and tech-heavy EVs, the coupe remains a symbol of emotional motoring. It’s not for everyone — and that’s what makes it special.

From the new Mustang to the BRZ and beyond, the coupe is still cool in 2025, just not in the mainstream sense. It’s a driver’s car, a design statement, and often, a future classic.

Got your eye on a coupe? Don’t wait too long — they might become even rarer in the years to come.