Coupes under $50k

  1. Home /
  2. Best coupes under $50k

Whether you’re just starting to drive or heading into a mid-life crisis, coupes appeal to all of us. Luckily, these days you don’t need to spend big money to enjoy the thrills of the swept-back driving experience.

While you are able to buy a Subaru BRZ or Toyota 86 for less than $40,000, choices start to expand once you’re shopping under the $50,000 so let’s start there.

Toyota 86

It is getting a little long in the tooth, but the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ combo still offers sports car thrills for an affordable price. Available in manual or automatic with a choice of specification levels, the Toyota 86 has stood the test of time despite external pressure to fill it with extra power.

Mazda MX-5

Mazda MX-5

With the nameplate just celebrating its 30th birthday, there’s small wonder why so many flock to the Mazda MX-5 for an engaging top-down drive. Even if you’re more of a hard-top fan, Mazda now offers the RF version which includes a folding metal roof.

Hyundai i30 Fastback N

A relatively new player to the coupe game, Hyundai’s i30 N was transformed into a four-door coupe following the success of the hatchback. Sleeker styling marries with everything that made Hyundai’s first true hot hatch great

MG HS Hybrid review
Reviews

2021 MG HS plug-in hybrid review

Meet Australia’s cheapest plug-in hybrid

hyundai nexo australia
News

Hyundai Nexo: First hydrogen car fleet registered in Australia

A fleet of 20 Hyundai Nexos has been registered and loaned to the ACT government to champion a sustainable future

News

Australian car sales continue to grow, fears remain on global car supply

February’s figures reveal new car sales continue their strong return to positive growth

News

Volvo to expand SUV portfolio at expense of sedans and wagons

Volvo boss suggests its sedan and wagon variants are not long for this world

Editorial Wheels Car of the Year 2021
Opinion

From the Editor: How Car of the Year 2021 forged ahead

COTY 2021 will forever go down as the One That Almost Didn’t Happen

2021 Mazda CX-8 gains new spec grades
News

2021 Mazda CX-8 adds new model variants

The CX-8 large SUV range has been expanded to include a ‘sporty’ mid-spec variant and new luxury range topper

News

Kia unveils its new logo – UPDATED: Stinger and Carnival debut new badges

Ahead of its new strategy plans, Kia finally confirms its new corporate look

News

EV sales figures show Australian uptake stuck in the slow lane

The Electric Vehicle Council criticizes government inaction on EV incentives and infrastructure

News

MG becomes a top-10 brand in Australia

The Chinese carmaker has seen a 160 per cent increase in sales in 2021 compared to the same period last year

COTY

Behind the scenes at Wheels Car of the Year 2021

Your glimpse behind the proverbial COTY red curtain

News

Next-gen Haval H6 SUV slated for Q2 arrival

Haval’s all-new H6 medium SUV promises more power, more space and more tech over its humble predecessor

2021 Hyundai Palisade 3.6L review
Reviews

2021 Hyundai Palisade 3.8L V6 review

The entry level variant of Hyundai’s XL-sized SUV is also big on space and features

Wheels Car of the Year 2021 contender Mercedes-Benz GLB
COTY

Mercedes-Benz GLB at Car of the Year 2021

Compact, quirky and uncommonly quick, but at what cost?

News

2021 Hyundai Bayon small SUV revealed, not for Australia

Venue-sized Hyundai crossover SUV unveiled for European market

Tiebreaker Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce v Lexus IS350 F-Sport
Advice

Tiebreaker: Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce v Lexus IS350 F Sport

You send in two cars you’re stuck on, we pick the one you should get

Wheels Car of the Year 2021 contender Land Rover Defender
COTY

Land Rover Defender at Car of the Year 2021

The 4×4 faithful expect, and this time England delivers

News

2021 MG HS gains all-wheel-drive and plug-in hybrid variants

MG has introduced its first AWD and PHEV SUVs to Australia

Wheels Car of the Year 2021 contender Kia Sorento
COTY

Kia Sorento at Car of the Year 2021

Evolution of a milestone SUV in Kia’s relentless growth

Genesis GV80 Wheels Car of the Year 2021 results
COTY

Genesis GV80 at Car of the Year 2021

Beachhead established, Korea sends in the SUV reinforcements

Ford Puma at Car of the Year 2021
COTY

Ford Puma at Car of the Year 2021

Puma fizzes with energy, just not enough to reset benchmarks

News

FCAI hits out at ANCAP’s zero-star Mitsubishi Express rating

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries claims there is a lack of consistency with vehicle safety ratings

News

Hyundai unaffected by semiconductor shortage

Chip makers switch allegiances to consumer electronics manufacturers, leaving car makers in the lurch

Features

The joy of thrashing Audis in the snow

Enright reflects on the quattro antics of his younger days

Ford Escape at Car of the Year 2021
COTY

Ford Escape at Car of the Year 2021

Plenty to commend here, just not quite the cut-through