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.7
- Porsche 911
- BMW 3 Series
- Mercedes CLA
- Audi TT
- Volkswagen Passat
- Porsche Taycan
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.7
Volkswagen's growing ID range gets better with each new model, and the ID.7 is one of the best so far. This is the battery-powered VW to pick if you're travelling long distances. The 'smaller' 77kWh pack manages a claimed 380 miles while long-range 86kWh versions can go more than 430 miles on a full charge. Its bespoke EV platform means the motors and axles can be pushed further apart for massive amounts of passenger space and a boot that'll cope with a holiday's worth of luggage. Performance is swift and pretty much silent, with the ID.7 effortlessly gliding around thanks to its 286hp electric motor.
View used Volkswagen electric cars or read our Volkswagen ID.7 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 or read our Porsche 911 review
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 CLA
Mercedes was one of the first brands to experiment with four-door coupes with the CLS twenty years ago. The CLA is more attainable than the pricey CLS, and it's an easier size to live with in the UK. Underneath, you have the tried-and-tested mechanicals from the A-Class hatch, but they're draped in longer, lower bodywork with much more dramatic styling. It's set up to be a little sportier than the A-Class too, with more alert handling and only the more powerful engines to choose from. Rear headroom does take a slight knock in pursuit of ultimate style, but you'll still be able to fit average-sized adults on the second row without complaint.
Shop used Mercedes CLA cars or read our Mercedes CLA 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 or read our Audi TT review
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 Taycan
Traditionalists may not like the fact that one of the very best Porsches doesn't have a flat-six engine screaming away behind them. Spend five minutes driving the battery-powered Taycan, however, and you'll quickly be converted. This luxurious four-door accelerates faster, grips harder and stops more violently than pretty much anything shy of seven-figure hypercars. It feels like driving with 'god mode' turned on. And – once you're done exploring its bottomless reserves of power – you can simply settle down and drive calmly, aided by the Taycan's accurate controls, quick reactions and plush, well-made cabin.
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.
