The American coupe, a symbol of style and performance, might seem like a fading breed in today’s automotive landscape, but it’s far from extinct. Let’s delve into what exactly defines a coupe. Traditionally, it’s a two-door vehicle featuring two rows of seats and a distinct trunk. Convertibles and roadsters, while also two-door, differ by having a retractable roof and either two rows or a single row of seats respectively. The lines have blurred somewhat with manufacturers labeling crossovers as “coupes,” but for our purposes, we’ll stick to the classic definition: two doors, a trunk, and seating for one or two rows.
And what constitutes “American” in today’s globalized car industry? We’ll take a pragmatic approach and consider any vehicle assembled in North America as American for this list.
With these definitions clarified, let’s explore ten of the best American coupes available in 2017, showcasing the diversity and appeal of this enduring vehicle style.
2017 Cadillac ATS Coupe
The Cadillac ATS Coupe emerged in 2015, following the sedan’s debut in 2013, as Cadillac’s assertive entry into the competitive sport coupe market. Cadillac emphasizes that the ATS Coupe boasts unique sheet metal compared to its sedan sibling, immediately setting it apart with its two-door configuration. The ATS Coupe directly targets the established German sport coupe segment, aiming to rival the BMW 3 Series, Audi A5, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Being assembled in Lansing, Michigan, the ATS Coupe proudly carries the American manufacturing flag. In a period of portfolio refinement for Cadillac, the ATS Coupe stands out as a compelling offering.
2017 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe
The 2017 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe elevates the ATS platform to a performance echelon that justifies its separate recognition. At a Motor Press Guild track event at Willow Springs International Raceway, seasoned drivers lauded the ATS-V as exhibiting exceptional balance, drawing favorable comparisons to benchmarks like the BMW M3, Audi S5, and Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400. This is significant praise for an American coupe competing in a segment dominated by European marques. Powering the ATS-V is a potent 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 engine generating 464 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph sprint in a mere 3.8 seconds. Built in Lansing, Michigan, with enhanced suspension and braking systems, the ATS-V Coupe represents a substantial performance leap beyond the standard ATS Coupe.
2017 Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro, initially GM’s 1967 response to the Ford Mustang, ignited the pony car phenomenon that began with the Mustang’s 1965 debut. After four generations, the Camaro faced a hiatus in 2002 due to shifting market trends. However, fueled by the Mustang’s resurgence, GM revived the Camaro in 2010 with an all-new fifth generation. The sixth-generation Camaro arrived in 2016, continuing the legacy into 2017 and reigniting the Muscle Car Wars. Offering a range of powertrains—a 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder, a 3.6-liter V6, and a commanding 6.2-liter V8 delivering up to 455 hp—the Camaro embodies the classic American sports coupe formula: two doors, compact rear seats, and a traditional trunk. It’s proudly manufactured in Lansing, Michigan.
2017 Chevrolet Corvette
Since its inception in 1953, the Chevrolet Corvette has stood as an enduring icon of the American sports coupe. Seven generations, each designated sequentially from C1 to C7, have refined the Corvette lineage, culminating in the C7 generation launched in 2014. While Corvette enthusiasts have diverse preferences across generations, there’s a consensus that C5 and subsequent models have bridged the gap to supercar territory, offering exceptional performance value. The C7 generation, featuring models like Stingray, Grand Sport, and Z06, represents the pinnacle of Corvette performance and handling, boasting up to 650 horsepower and blistering 0-60 mph times ranging from 3.7 to 2.95 seconds. This two-door, two-seat coupe with a trunk is assembled in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
2016 Dodge Challenger
Dodge re-entered the Muscle Car arena with the resurgence of the Charger sedan in 2006 and the Challenger Coupe lineup in 2008. The Dodge Challenger coupe embraced a bold and assertive design philosophy, resulting in a visually striking and almost exaggerated aesthetic. Its “Retrofuturist” design, characterized by two doors, a modest rear seat, and a trunk, is available with a broad spectrum of powertrains, starting with a 305-hp 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and escalating to a formidable 707-hp supercharged 6.4-liter HEMI V8. The Challenger, assembled in Brampton, Ontario, maintains its North American, and by our definition, “American” identity.
2017 Dodge SRT Viper
The 2017 model year marks the 25th and final production year for the Dodge SRT Viper, currently in its fifth generation. This coupe, featuring two doors, two seats, and a compact trunk, is distinguished by one of the most elongated hood lines in the American automotive landscape. The Viper has cultivated a reputation as a formidable track performer, with ACR (American Club Racer) variants available as factory-prepared, track-ready machines. Serving as Dodge and SRT’s flagship vehicle, the Viper is engineered to command attention wherever it goes. It is manufactured at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit, Michigan, cementing its status as a truly American coupe.
2017 Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang initiated the Pony Car segment with its debut as a 1965 model, achieving continuous production across six generations. The fifth generation (2005–2014) solidified the Retrofuturist design trend, reviving iconic Mustang styling cues while modernizing its engineering and design. The 2015 model year brought significant advancements in performance and handling, notably replacing the solid rear axle with a fully independent suspension system. The classic coupe configuration of two doors, a small rear seat, and a trunk now presents a more refined and dynamic silhouette. Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan is the production home of this quintessential American 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 legendary success at Le Mans in 1968 and 1969. A production iteration, the Ford GT, was produced for the 2005 and 2006 model years. A new generation Ford GT debuted as a 2017 model – a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive coupe with two doors, two seats, and a front trunk, slightly bending our coupe definition. The 2017 Ford GT is assembled at Multimatic’s facility in Markham, Ontario. Production is limited to 250 units annually through 2020, with initial allocations prioritized for previous GT owners.
2017 Honda Accord Coupe
While Honda is a Japanese manufacturer, the 2017 Honda Accord Coupe firmly qualifies as an American coupe, being produced at Honda’s Marysville, Ohio plant alongside the Accord Sedan and Acura ILX and TLX models. The Accord Coupe features two doors, two rows of seating, and a generously sized trunk. Available in five trim levels with engine choices including a 4-cylinder and a 6-cylinder, the Accord Coupe’s EX-L V6 variant stands out, offering a rare 6-speed manual transmission as standard, appealing to driving enthusiasts. Perhaps the most practical coupe on this list, the Accord Coupe blends rear passenger comfort with sporty coupe aesthetics.
Shelby Daytona Coupe
Though not a contemporary design – referred to as a “continuation car” – the Shelby Daytona Coupe is an American coupe currently in production, drawing from the influential 1965 design. Offered by Shelby International, established by the late racing icon Carroll Shelby, this two-door, two-seat coupe with a trunk is a stunning homage to automotive history, priced from $179,995 for fiberglass and $349,999 for aluminum-bodied versions. Buyers can choose a Daytona Coupe meticulously faithful to the original specifications or opt for versions incorporating modern enhancements like power steering, power brakes, and fuel injection. A network of ten authorized dealers across the US stands ready to assist in configuring your ideal Shelby Daytona Coupe for the ultimate American coupe experience.
