The landscape of the American coupe is evolving, but the allure of the 2 door coupe remains strong for enthusiasts. But what exactly defines a coupe in today’s automotive world? Traditionally, it’s a 2-door vehicle featuring two rows of seating and a distinct trunk. While variations and new classifications have emerged, blurring the lines slightly, we’re focusing on the core essence: vehicles with two doors and a trunk, encompassing both one and two-row seating configurations.
Furthermore, what constitutes “American” in our globalized car market? For our purposes, we’ll consider vehicles assembled within North America as American, acknowledging the international nature of modern automotive manufacturing.
With these definitions clarified, let’s delve into our curated list of ten exceptional American 2 Door Coupes that stand out in today’s market.
2017 Cadillac ATS Coupe
The Cadillac ATS entered the scene as a sedan in 2013, with the 2 door coupe variant following in 2015. Cadillac emphasizes that the ATS Coupe boasts unique sheet metal compared to its sedan sibling, clearly distinguishing itself with its two-door configuration. The ATS Coupe sets its sights high, aiming to compete directly with established German sport coupes like the BMW 3 Series, Audi A5, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Assembled in Lansing, Michigan, the ATS Coupe proudly carries the American-made badge. In Cadillac’s ongoing lineup refinement, the ATS Coupe emerges as a compelling contender in the 2 door coupe segment.
2017 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe
The 2017 Cadillac ATS-V elevates the ATS Coupe formula to a performance-oriented realm, earning it a distinct spot on our list of top 2 door coupes. During a recent track day event hosted by the Motor Press Guild at Willow Springs International Raceway, the ATS-V garnered praise from drivers as a remarkably balanced coupe. It drew favorable comparisons to rivals such as the BMW M3, Audi S5, and Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400, signifying high acclaim within the competitive performance coupe category.
Powering the ATS-V Coupe is a potent 3.6-liter 464-hp twin-turbo V6 engine, generating 445 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain propels the 2 door coupe from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.8 seconds. Built in Lansing, Michigan, with enhanced suspension and braking components, the ATS-V represents a significant performance leap beyond the standard ATS Coupe, solidifying its position as a top-tier American 2 door performance coupe.
2017 Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro, an iconic American 2 door coupe, emerged as General Motors’ response to the Ford Mustang in 1967, igniting the pony car class initiated by the Mustang’s debut as a 1965 model. The Camaro endured through four generations before market shifts led to its discontinuation in 2002. However, in 2010, fueled by the Ford Mustang’s resurgence, GM revived the Camaro with an all-new fifth generation. The sixth-generation Camaro arrived in 2016, continuing the legacy into 2017 and carrying the torch in the ongoing Muscle Car Wars.
The 2017 Camaro offers a range of powertrains, including a 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder, a 3.6-liter V6, and a commanding 6.2-liter V8, delivering up to 455 hp. This quintessential American sports 2 door coupe features a classic configuration: two doors, compact second-row seating, and a traditional enclosed trunk. The Camaro is proudly manufactured in Lansing, Michigan, cementing its American heritage.
2017 Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette has held its position as the quintessential American sports 2 door coupe since its groundbreaking introduction in 1953. Seven generations of Corvette, affectionately designated C1 through C7 by enthusiasts, have followed, with the current C7 generation launching in 2014. While preferences vary among generations, consensus points to the C5 and subsequent Corvettes narrowing the gap with the supercar class, offering exceptional performance value.
The C7 generation stands as the most capable and agile Corvette to date, with models like the Stingray, Grand Sport, and Z06 achieving up to 650 hp and 0-60 mph times ranging from 3.7 to a blistering 2.95 seconds. This high-performance 2 door coupe, with its two-door, two-seat layout and trunk, is assembled in Bowling Green, Kentucky, further solidifying its American identity.
2016 Dodge Challenger
Dodge re-entered the Muscle Car Wars arena by resurrecting the Charger sedan in 2006 and the Challenger 2 door coupe lineup in 2008. With the Challenger Coupe, Dodge embraced a bold “go big or go home” design philosophy, resulting in an aggressively styled coupe that exudes an almost cartoonish, yet undeniably captivating, presence.
The Challenger’s Retrofuturist design, characterized by its two doors, modest second row, and trunk, offers a wide array of powertrain choices. These range from a 305-hp 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 to a formidable 707-hp supercharged 6.4-liter HEMI V8 – a true powerhouse in the muscle coupe segment. The Challenger is assembled in Brampton, Ontario, maintaining its North American production and contributing to our definition of an American 2 door coupe.
2017 Dodge SRT Viper
2017 marked the 25th and final production year for the Dodge SRT Viper, a legendary American 2 door coupe currently in its fifth generation. This coupe is defined by its two-door, two-seat configuration, small trunk, and one of the most extended hood lines found on any American car. The Viper has cultivated a strong racing heritage and is available in ACR (American Club Racer) versions, factory-prepared for track performance.
The Viper serves as Dodge and SRT’s halo vehicle, designed to command attention wherever it goes. This iconic performance 2 door coupe is built at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit, Michigan, epitomizing American automotive manufacturing.
2017 Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang, the originator of the Pony Car class, debuted as a 1965 model and has maintained continuous production across six generations, solidifying its place as an enduring American 2 door coupe. The fifth generation (2005–2014) popularized the Retrofuturist design trend, reviving classic Mustang styling cues while incorporating modern design and engineering advancements. 2015 brought significant improvements in performance and handling, notably replacing the solid rear axle with a fully independent suspension setup.
The Mustang’s classic coupe formula—two doors, a compact second row, and a trunk—now boasts a sleeker and more dynamic aesthetic than ever before. Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan serves as the home for this iconic American 2 door coupe.
2017 Ford GT
Ford Racing’s response to Ferrari’s rebuff in 1963 led to the creation of the 1966 Ford GT40 race car, achieving significant victories for the American manufacturer at Le Mans in 1968 and 1969. (For a detailed account, refer to A.J. Baime’s acclaimed book “Go Like Hell.”) A production version, the Ford GT, was produced for the 2005 and 2006 model years. A new generation GT, a mid-engine rear-wheel-drive 2 door coupe with two seats and a front trunk, arrived as a 2017 model, slightly broadening our coupe definition.
The 2017 Ford GT is assembled at Multimatic’s factory in Markham, Ontario. Production is limited to 250 units annually through 2020, with the initial three years’ production reserved for previous GT owners, making it an exclusive and highly sought-after American performance coupe.
2017 Honda Accord Coupe
While Honda is not an American company, the 2017 Honda Accord Coupe is undeniably an American 2 door coupe, manufactured at Honda’s Marysville, Ohio plant alongside the Accord Sedan and Acura ILX and TLX models. The Accord Coupe offers two doors, two rows of seating, and a spacious trunk, blending practicality with coupe styling.
Available in five trim levels with a choice of 4-cylinder or 6-cylinder engines, the Accord Coupe’s sweet spot is often considered the EX-L V6 model. This trim notably offers a rare 6-speed manual transmission as standard, appealing to driving enthusiasts. Perhaps the most practical 2 door coupe on our list, the Accord Coupe balances rear-seat passenger comfort with the sporty aesthetics of a coupe.
Shelby Daytona Coupe
The Shelby Daytona Coupe, while not a new design, is a “continuation car” representing an iconic American 2 door coupe currently in production, based on the influential 1965 design. Offered by Shelby International, founded by racing legend Carroll Shelby, this two-door, two-seat coupe with a trunk is a stunning time capsule. It’s available from $179,995 for fiberglass and $349,999 for aluminum-body versions.
Buyers can opt for a Daytona Coupe faithful to the original specifications or a version incorporating modern engineering enhancements like power steering, power brakes, and fuel injection. Ten authorized dealers across the US are ready to assist in configuring your dream Shelby Daytona Coupe, offering the ultimate classic American 2 door coupe experience.
