Germany is home to some of the biggest hitters in the car industry.
BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Volkswagen and Porsche are household names, with decades of engineering excellence and design know-how, plus a long list of legendary models.
Here are 10 of our favourite cars from German brands. And, if you don't fancy paying the new-car premium, check out thousands of nearly new and used car for sale at Motorpoint.
Best German Cars
- BMW X1
- Mercedes A-Class
- Audi A4
- Volkswagen ID.Buzz
- Porsche 911
- BMW 3 Series
- Mercedes C-Class Estate
- Audi TT
- Volkswagen Passat
- Porsche Macan
BMW X1
BMW has a proud history of building sports saloons, so petrolheads might get upset that an SUV is now one of its best cars. The BMW X1 is the real deal, however. It has plenty of practicality for a family of four, and its compact footprint means it's still easy to park in tight urban spaces. And none of that vital 'BMW-ness' has been sacrificed from the driving experience – it's still sharp around corners and utterly unflappable over uneven roads, nor does it punish you over bumps and rough surfaces. Every engine option is reasonably punchy, and you'll now find fuel-sipping plug-in-hybrid versions and a fully electric iX1 with a 293-mile range.
Browse used BMW X1 cars or read our BMW X1 review
Mercedes A-Class
Mercedes, like BMW, has also diversified beyond saloon models and its A-Class now sits among the best family hatchbacks you can buy. What makes the smallest car with the three-pointed star so special? Sit inside and the answer becomes obvious – everything you see and touch feels plush and premium, with lots of leather and metal-effect details used throughout. It might trade a centimetre or two of passenger space here or there to rivals like the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3, but the A-Class is the softest-riding car of this trio, with light and responsive controls to make driving mostly effortless.
Search used Mercedes A-Class cars or read our Mercedes A-Class review
Audi A4
If the BMW 3 Series offers the most driver appeal, and the Mercedes C-Class has the softest ride, there's a gap in between for a saloon that offers the best of both worlds – that's the Audi A4. Its chiselled lines and sharp-suited cabin immediately place it neck-and-neck with its illustrious rivals, but it's the car's well-rounded driving experience that might make it the best pick for you. It has the grace and composure you'll find in many larger luxury saloons – especially if you avoid firmer S-Line models – but with a degree of handling accuracy and agility that very nearly matches the fleet-footed 3 Series.
Shop used Audi A4 cars or read our Audi A4 review
Volkswagen ID.Buzz
Volkswagen's ID electric car lineup didn't get off to the smoothest of starts, with lofty prices and a few interior hang-ups. We think the ID.Buzz is the model to shake off that reputation, however, with charming retro-inspired looks and breathtaking practicality – this is the car to choose if you're planning an EV road trip. Every single seat has acres of room – even the centre-rear seat on five-seaters, and the third row on seven-seaters, which is something even big seven-seat SUVs struggle with. The driving experience is smooth and calm, with instant shove from the ID.Buzz's electric setup, and up to 281 miles on a full charge.
View used Volkswagen electric cars or read our Volkswagen ID.Buzz review
Porsche 911
Porsche's lineup includes some of the best cars you can buy but, even among such talented siblings, the 911 remains the most iconic. And, after seven decades on sale, you'd expect Porsche to know a thing or two! Modern 911s now pack an enormous amount of performance with even entry-level models able to challenge some much more established supercars on track. Despite this, it's not the outright pace that impresses – it's the car's laser-like precision and the almost telepathic way it follows your instructions down the road. That would be enough to justify its vast price tag on its own, but the superb build quality and bank-busting desirability seals the deal.
Check out used coupes and convertibles for sale
BMW 3 Series
The X1 above might be the new default choice for families who want a BMW on the drive, but the 3 Series saloon and estate still have a lot to offer. This is, perhaps, the definitive BMW, with athletic handling and enough maturity to its ride quality that passengers won't feel bounced over bumps. The premium cabin features the brand's excellent iDrive infotainment system and enough space for adults to stretch out in the outer four seats. There's a boot large enough for a couple of big suitcases, or even more if you pick the sizeable 3 Series Touring estate, which has a clever opening rear windscreen if you just want to load small items.
See a choice of used BMW 3 Series cars or read our BMW 3 Series review
Mercedes C-Class Estate
Mercedes' saloon and estate cars may play second fiddle to its ultra-popular SUV models these days but they're still as good as they always were. The C-Class has had a recent overhaul with a new cabin, new engines and a newly tailored suit, helping it stay right at the cutting edge of premium car tech, despite its nameplate being several decades old. On the move, there's a soft side to the suspension that's missing from its BMW and Audi rivals, which makes the Mercedes a little comfier if you're racking up hundreds of miles. We're especially fond of the estate version, which adds a much larger 490-litre boot and a wider-opening boot lid.
Shop used Mercedes C-Class cars or read our Mercedes C-Class review
Audi TT
Sadly, this is the last planned generation of the Audi TT, with no immediate successor in sight. That means there's all the more reason to enjoy this top-tier sports car while you still can. We rightly applaud 'stripped-back' sports cars like the Mazda MX-5 for their visceral driving experience, but the TT tries to do something different. It aims to capture the spirit of a proper sports car without losing the refinement, comfort and composure needed to cover long distances without tiring from firm suspension and a noisy cabin. The result is a wonderfully balanced car that's entertaining when you're in the mood, and easy to live with when you aren't.
Search used Audi TT cars for sale
Volkswagen Passat Estate
Big estates like the Volkswagen Passat aren't quite as popular as they used to be with family buyers. That's a bit of a shame because they're nearly as practical as pricier SUVs and tend to drive a little better thanks to their lower weight and centre of gravity. The Passat's one of the best, too, with calm, composed handling that'll waft along the motorway for hundreds of miles without complaint, and a cabin that'll seat six-footers with space to spare. Used car buyers might want to consider the previous-generation Volkswagen Passat, too, as it has almost all the same benefits but with more engine choices and lower market prices.
See used Volkswagen Passat cars or read our Volkswagen Passat review
Porsche Macan
You read that right – not only is one of the very best Porsches on sale an SUV, it's also an electric car! While it can't quite replicate the hair-raising sensation of wringing out a petrol-powered 911, the Macan does everyday driving so well that it's hard to think how it could be any better. The control responses and weightings are spot-on, and the car seems to bend physics to keep a tight leash on its substantial mass. Combine the Macan's razor-sharp handling with Earth-turning torque from its electric motors and you've got a fearsomely fast real-world car. All that's before you consider the car's practical cabin, modern technology and sumptuous material quality.
Browse used electric cars
From the autobahn to your parking space
Buy or finance a great-value nearly new or used car from Motorpoint. Fancy something a little less Teutonic? Check out our choices for the best British cars on sale.
