Calling something a coupe means the same thing today as it did 50 years ago, yet the vehicle you would be referring to is entirely different.

What’s New in Coupes for 2012?

Even this year, new car buyers are being offered options that didn’t exist in 2011. New for 2012, the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ aim to offer a stripped-down, inexpensive sport coupe. While high demand and a limited supply are driving prices beyond MSRP, both cars fill a hungry gap in the auto market for affordable performance in a two-door package.

Also new this year, BMW is differentiating its 3 Series coupes and sedans by shifting both the hard- and soft-top two doors to a new name: the 4 Series. The new line isn’t available yet, but should be late this year, and will include the same bi-turbo 2.0-liter inline four cylinder the automaker introduced in the 3 Series this year.

Not to be outdone by it’s compatriot, Mercedes-Benz revived the C-Class Coupe this year. The all-new luxury coupe is available with a turbocharged four-cylinder or direct-injected V6 instead of the old supercharged model.

Both offer a combination of style and comfort, but neither are purpose-built performance cars. If German sensibilities and track days need to come in one package for your next purchase, consider the Audi TT RS. Some people might be tempted to write it off for being a TT, but with a 4.1 second 0-60 time it’s actually faster than the R8-powered Audi R8.

Choosing a coupe often means putting style ahead of practicality. Most automakers also offer sedan versions, like Infiniti with its G37, but the two-door choice doesn’t necessarily mean functional rear seats have to disappear. It does, however, mean you’ll have to pay a premium.

For example, the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class offers reasonably spacious rear seats in a coupe configuration, but owning one will cost almost $160,000. Some people can afford that, but for the rest of us, sedans are a wiser choice.

If wisdom isn’t your thing and childish pursuits beckon, test-drive a muscle car. The 2013 Mustang GT starts at $30,300 and begs to be driven hard. It’s 5.0-liter V8 cranks out 420 hp, the most of any GT to date. The interior, when optioned out, is also reasonably comfortable, though the starting MSRP won’t give you fancy trim or leather seats.

Muscle, luxury and performance aren’t on everyone’s must-have list, even in the coupe segment. That’s where more practical daily drivers like the new Volkswagen Beetle come in. Offering a lower, more muscular and restyled look for the first time this year, VW’s latest Bug is meant to be more catching than its girly predecessor. A longer hood and less bubble-like proportions will probably serve to broaden appeal for it, if people can get past the idea of driving a “love bug.”

If you can’t, and it wouldn’t be hard to blame you, the 2012 MINI Coupe might manage to satisfy the need for practicality, fun and mileage. Driving one screams “hipster,” as you’ll see in our review, but the little British coupe looks more like a sports car and less like something Mr. Bean would be seen dossing about in – especially in JCW trim with its 208 hp turbocharged engine.