10 Best AWD Coupes 2014

The best AWD coupes don't ask you to make a compromise between style and security - they provide both thanks to their clean-cut lines and their four-wheel grip.  Whether you need all-wheel drive to get through a deep and snowy winter, or whether you are more interested in the dry-pavement performance advantages that are associated with powering all four wheels, there are a number of AWD coupes out there to satisfy your urge.  Most of these all-wheel drive two-doors also happen to hail from the luxury side of the industry, which means you'll get a fair amount of comfort to go along with your surefooted driving experience.

Let's take a quick look at 10 of the best AWD coupes available for 2014.

10 Best AWD Coupes 2014 - 01 - 2014 Nissan GT-R

The 2014 Nissan GT-R is one of the most mythologized AWD coupes ever built, the culmination of the Skyline DNA that for years terrorized Japanese race tracks and twisty mountain passages in a bid for high performance dominance.  In its modern form the Nissan GT-R delivers 545 horsepower and 463 lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V-6, harnessed by an all-wheel drive system that is computer controlled to dole out torque at exactly the right moment to the correct set of axles.  A six-speed automated manual transmission transmits the GT-R's turbocharged power to the ground and it can reach 60-mph in just under three seconds.

10 Best AWD Coupes 2014 - 02 - 2014 Audi S5

The 2014 Audi S5 has been lauded as one of the most visually-pleasing of the world's affordable luxury coupes.  The Audi S5 features flowing lines and an exceptionally well turned out cabin that continues the German brand's tradition of delivering top-notch passenger compartment materials and design.  All versions of the S5 include quattro all-wheel drive as standard equipment, along with a 333 horsepower, 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 under the hood.  Also capable of generating 325 lb-ft of torque, this unit can be shifted via either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual unit.

10 Best AWD Coupes 2014 - 03 - 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC Coupe

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC Coupe presents luxury coupe buyers with a more mature, yet still stylish coupe option.  As with most models from the automaker, the Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC Coupe can be loaded up with options and packages, including adaptive LED headlights, a top-down 360-degree camera system to assist with parking, and even an automated parallel parking feature.  The E350 4MATIC Coupe's 3.5-liter V-6 is good for 302 horses and 273 lb-ft of torque, and a seven-speed automatic transmission is the only gearbox available with the vehicle.  If you're looking for more of a performance feel, the Coupe can also be had with 18-inch AMG rims and a flat-bottom steering wheel courtesy of the Sport package.

10 Best AWD Coupes 2014 - 04 - 2014 BMW 435i xDrive

The 2014 BMW 435i xDrive might be a new nameplate, but it's the spiritual continuation of the 3 Series coupe that has for so many years captivated premium buyers seeking a more direct connection with the road.  The BMW 435i xDrive's all-wheel drive system is likewise tuned to deliver better than average handling in addition to outstanding grip in foul weather, and it is ideally suited to harness the 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque produced by the coupe's 3.0-liter turbocharged engine.  A six-speed manual transmission is included free of charge with the 435i xDrive, but it's also possible to order the car with an efficient eight-speed automatic.

10 Best AWD Coupes 2014 - 05 - 2014 Cadillac CTS Coupe

The 2014 Cadillac CTS Coupe is another looker on this list, a car whose sharp angles and hulking road presence make it impossible to ignore.  Based on the same platform as the CTS sedan, the Cadillac CTS Coupe also benefits from the option of an all-wheel drive system as well as the company's most powerful V-6 as standard equipment.  All CTS Coupes feature a 3.6-liter six-cylinder mill that has been tuned to provide 318 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, and a six-speed automatic transmission handles the gear shifting duties.

10 Best AWD Coupes 2014 - 06 - 2014 Audi TT

The 2014 Audi TT is much smaller than any other AWD coupe on this list but like the S5 it ranks very high in the fit and finish department, delivering an upscale experience (if not a usable rear seat).  Still, you can fold down the back row of accommodations and expand the Audi TT's 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space to 24.7 cubes in total, giving it a bit of a practical edge.  All-wheel drive is standard with each version of the TT, as is a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 211 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.  A six-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission stirs the pot on the base model car, with no traditional manual option to be found.

10 Best AWD Coupes 2014 - 07 - 2014 Mercedes-Benz C350 4MATIC Coupe

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz C350 4MATIC Coupe is the most appealing of the two all-wheel drive two-door C-Class models on the market.  Although the C300 4MATIC Coupe features AWD as standard equipment, the optional 4MATIC system found with the C350 takes advantage of that car's more robust 3.5-liter V-6 engine to give it better overall performance.  302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque represent the same level of output as the larger and heavier E350 Coupe, giving the C350 a bit of a performance bonus in comparison.  A seven-speed automatic is the only available transmission with the car.

10 Best AWD Coupes 2014 - 08 - 2014 Infiniti Q60

The 2014 Infiniti Q60 is a sporty coupe that aims to deliver the same level of engaging driving dynamics as the BMW 4 Series.  In some ways it succeeds, providing a fun time behind the wheel that is accented by the availability of optional all-wheel drive, although it's not quite as refined as its German rival when pushed hard.  The Infiniti Q60's 330 horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 is also good for a respectable 270 lb-ft of torque, and in AWD trim it comes equipped with a seven-speed automatic transmission.  The coupe's all-wheel drive system is capable of sending up to 50 percent of power to the front wheels if a loss of traction is detected, but under normal driving conditions it actually routes 100 percent of output to the rear to preserve a premium driving feel.

10 Best AWD Coupes 2014 - 09 - 2014 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S

The 2014 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S presents an appealing combination of high performance capability and all-wheel drive traction, wrapped in a luxury coupe package.  The Porsche 911 Carrera 4S features the larger 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine available with the car (compared to the 3.4-liter that marks the base Carrera), and it's good for 400 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque.  A seven-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox can be had with the all-wheel drive Porsche, which also includes a torque-vectoring rear differential and the automaker's adaptive suspension system.

10 Best AWD Coupes 2014 - 10 - 2014 Lamborghini Aventador

The 2014 Lamborghini Aventador is the latest in a long line of automobiles from the Italian motorworks that leverages the traction advantage offered by all-wheel drive in order to manage the ostentatious output of its over-sized engine.  The Lamborghini Aventador is motivated by a 6.5-liter, twelve-cylinder engine that can be counted on to produce 690 horsepower and 509 lb-ft of torque.  This is enough grunt to launch the Aventador to 60-mpg in 2.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 217 miles per hour.  A seven-speed automated manual gearbox is included with the supercar.