12 Best German Car Brands Famous For Making High-Performance Cars

best german car brands

We see a lot of performance cars on the streets. But no car can replace high-quality cars made in Germany. Since the beginning of the automotive industry, the best German car brands have been known for their most reliable and best-performing cars.

While perhaps not the most affordable of all the brands, German automakers are known for their commitment to luxury, performance, and class. In fact, many consider Germany to be the birthplace of the automobile industry, as it was here that the first heat engine was invented.

In 1861, the first internal combustion engine was tested in Germany under the direction of its inventor Nikolaus August Otto.

At the same time, the engineer Karl Friedrich Michael Benz was working on the development of the first car – a carriage with a small engine.

Since then, German car brands have been producing cars that give you great performance. German automakers are now known all over the world. And even the major automakers use cars from this country far more than you might think.

List of Most Reliable German Car Brands Right Now

When most people think of German car brands, companies like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz naturally spring to mind. While these are some of the most well-known German car brands, there are other, more reliable.

German car companies that you may not have heard of. The most popular brands have an impressive collection of sports and luxury cars that are incredibly stylish and powerful vehicles. 

Read on for the list of most reliable german car brands and the logos of the companies that make them.

  1. Mercedes-Benz
  2. BMW
  3. Audi
  4. Volkswagen
  5. Porsche
  6. Opel
  7. Maybach
  8. Wiesmann
  9. Isdera
  10. Smart Automobile
  11. Bugatti
  12. Aurus

Top Reasons Why why German Car Brands Are Popular

Porsche, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are among the best-known and most celebrated luxury car manufacturers in the world. Each of these brands has numerous models specifically designed to offer its occupants pure, unadulterated opulence.

Furthermore, these cars also serve as a status symbol and show how successful you have become. Let’s explore some possible reasons why German cars are so popular and connected to the world of luxury cars.

  • High-Quality Vehicles

Considering the fundamental purpose of a purchasing decision, many people choose a particular car based on its looks.

Taking this trend into account, world-renowned car brands have designed many different vehicles with elegant and impressive looks that buyers deliberately fall in love with at first sight.

With luxury German car brands, however, it can be different. It’s not the looks, the quality is their main concern. They always go out of their way to ensure that every newly released car has a strong/durable engine and is very safe to drive.

  • Speed

Although we often can’t use it legally, we like to know that our vehicles are capable of smoking every other car on the road. Well, the Germans not only designed cars to look fast but also to be safe to drive at very high speeds.

The German motorway system often has no mandatory speed limit, allowing drivers to use their power. Cars have to be able to reach these top speeds, and German cars do.

  • A Confident Attitude

The Germans aren’t afraid to tell us what it is. According to Mercedes, they are “The best or nothing”. BMW, “The Ultimate Driving Machine”.

They may be arrogant but they trust what they are selling. As one newspaper put it: “Cars are as important to Germany as secret bank accounts are to Switzerland.

  • Top Brand Recognition

The Germans have built one of the best brands in the world. Despite Audi’s poor reputation for quality in the ’80s, they’ve come back strong to match the other three. Everyone knows what luxury German car brands stand for in terms of luxury and quality.

12 Top Luxury German Car Brands In 2022

Although China, the United States, and Japan have been the top 3 automakers in the world, there is no denying how advanced German cars are and always have been. We all know many German car brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Audi, and more.

They are a paragon of quality and style for all other car manufacturers and embody many of the high-tech achievements of local specialists. The luxury segment of the German car industry is divided into the brand that produces high-end cars and the companies that work on special trims.

We begin our adventure into the world of German car brands with a look at some of the country’s most accessible and luxurious vehicles.

1. Mercedes-Benz

  • Founded Year: 1926
  • Headquarters: Stuttgart, Germany
  • Production: Luxury Vehicle
  • Website: Mercedes-benz.com

Mercedes-Benz makes perhaps the most advanced, luxurious and performance-oriented German car brand in the world. Ever since Karl Benz introduced the first gasoline-powered car in 1886, they have produced innovative and technologically innovative vehicles.

In the world of luxury cars, Mercedes-Benz is one of the most famous and trusted brands. His amazing designs for sports cars, SUVs, sedans, and other vehicles had a huge impact on the automotive industry.

Different drivers have different needs and preferences. Mercedes-Benz understands this and has created a range of cars that is sure to appeal to any discerning driver. From the new economy class CLA luxury sedan to the flagship S-class and everything in between, including SUVs, sports cars and even a pickup truck.

The diversity and functionality of the German manufacturer are some of the main attractions. It has created a range of luxury cars that offer you and your passengers the highest level of automotive safety.

2. BMW

  • Founded Year: 1916
  • Headquarters: Munich, Germany
  • Production: Luxury Vehicle
  • Website: bmw.com

BMW is one of the largest and most reliable German car brands in the world. With millions of BMW vehicles on the streets today, it’s almost impossible to drive around town without seeing a decent crowd of their cars.

Possibly one of the best-known German car manufacturers in the world, you might think you know everything about the luxury car company. Because BMW has produced many models associated with quality and luxury, they are a popular choice among the rich and famous.

Kim Kardashian has a Range Rover and it’s a BMW car. She is not alone in the celebrity world that owns BMWs. Jessica Alba is often seen in her BMW X6, while NHL player Scottie Upshall is the proud owner of a BMW i8.

Overall, BMW stands for power and performance and is, therefore, the sporty luxury brand that is fun.

3. Audi

  • Founded Year: 1909 
  • Headquarters: Ingolstadt, Germany
  • Production: Luxury Vehicle
  • Website: audi.com

This German luxury brand is known for its technology and style as well as its performance, well-finished interior, and signature Quattro four-wheel drive. The four Audi rings represent the merger of the four Auto Union companies: Audi, Horch, DKW, and Wanderer.

Auto Union used the same branding that we see today on pre-WWII Audi cars. Almost all models are strong performers with high-quality interiors. In Audi, you get great ride and handling.

Like many car manufacturers that start with A, Audi is bringing more and more electric vehicles onto the market; the company calls these models E-Tron. It’s all about speed, functionality, and security. Those are some of the things the company is selling us today, and it’s attractive and intriguing.

Audi is all about luxury, and with luxury comes the right price. While most Audi cars can cost you a few hundred thousand dollars, there is one that tops all of those prices.

4. Volkswagen

  • Founded Year: 1937 
  • Headquarters: Wolfsburg, Germany
  • Production: Luxury Vehicle
  • Website: vw.com

Founded in 1946, Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer known for producing high-quality and stylish vehicles. The German manufacturer offers quality, comfort and reliability, as well as great attention to detail, so even the most demanding drivers will enjoy driving the models of this popular brand.

You’ll enjoy its powerful performance, smooth ride and cutting-edge technology. Whether we’re talking about the range of small and mid-size cars or small and mid-size SUVs, Volkswagen’s durability, ease of maintenance and good fuel efficiency have made it a favourite among customers.

All VW cars are reliable and durable. Volkswagen’s strongest selling point is its durable mechanics, whether it’s a diesel, petrol or hybrid variant, expect miles of unserviced driving and reasonable maintenance costs.

5. Porsche

  • Founded Year: 1931 
  • Headquarters: Stuttgart, Germany
  • Production: Sports Luxury Vehicle
  • Website: www.porsche.com

Porsche is one of the best German car brands of all time. The German company has been producing world-leading automobiles since 1948, none more durable and respected than the legendary 911.

Today, Porsche achieves nearly a century of automotive excellence. And true to its founder’s dreams, this company has created some of the most iconic cars in automotive history.

While Porsche is known for its luxury cars like the 887 hp 918 Spyder, it has started to expand into SUVs and passenger cars. This was an incredibly smart move for the German automaker as it can no longer be considered a one-trick pony.

The model primarily responsible for this incredible recognition is the 911, which originally debuted in the 1960s and remains a staple of the European high-performance automotive industry. This particular example offers you the best of old and new technology in a 1990s German sports car.

6. Opel

  • Founded Year: 1862
  • Headquarters: Rüsselsheim am Main, Hesse, Germany
  • Production: Vehicle
  • Website: www.opel.com

Adam Opel AG is a German automobile manufacturer. The head office is in Russelsheim. Part of General Motors’ concern. The main occupation is the production of cars and minivans.

Opel has a strong brand profile built on these four pillars: interior versatility and flexibility; driving dynamics; Modern and distinctive design; Modern infotainment system. Today, the brand makes a strong range of cars, SUVs, and even trucks.

And has manufacturing facilities in 10 locations, including international locations. And also sell auto parts in Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, etc. The Opel VX220 is famous for its beautiful appearance, and users love the Opel GT for its small and exquisite design.

7. Maybach

Maybach stands for luxury and comfort. It defines the style and status of luxury sedans in the automotive industry. From the beginning, this brand was considered the best combination of intuitive operation and elegant design.

Maybach’s mission was to offer the ultimate luxury experience to those who can afford it. The first Maybach generations were not compatible at that time. Maybach Motorenbau GmbH was taken over by Daimler in 1960.

The company made special edition Mercedes vehicles with Mercedes badges and serial numbers. In 2014 Mercedes-Benz acquired Maybach and a sub-brand of Mercedes-Maybach was established.

In a new chapter in automotive history, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class models were unveiled. In November 2019, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 was the luxury brand’s first SUV, which expanded its portfolio to include a combination of technical design and a luxury sedan.

8. Wiesmann

  • Founded Year: 1988
  • Headquarters: Dülmen, Germany
  • Production: Custom Convertible
  • Website: www.wiesmann.com

Wiesmann is a fairly unknown company and although the cars are very recognizable, few people have heard of the company. The company was founded by the two German brothers Martin and Friedhelm Wiesmann, who have undoubtedly left their mark on the industry.

The first Wiesmann model to roll off the assembly line was the MF30, which was made available to customers in 1993. The initial success of the MF30 allowed Wiesmann to further refine the car and it was only a few years before it was introduced. a revised model, the MF3.

Since 2006 they produce the Wiesmann MF 3 and MF 30 Roadster and the famous Wiesmann GT MF 4 car, all with engine and transmission parts supplied by BMW. Weismann’s vehicle logo has a very prominent design. It features a silver gecko, a sleek creature that looks nothing like other brutal vehicle logos.

9. Isdera

  • Founded Year: 1982
  • Headquarters: Saarwellingen, Germany
  • Production: Automobiles
  • Website: www.isdera.com

Germany-based Isdera is one of the lesser-known automakers in the world, although it has existed in its current form since 1982, while one of its five models was launched more than a decade before its release.

The most famous car in the Isdera car brand is the 1993 Isdera Commendatore 112i. With the blessing and financial backing of Mercedes, their engineering firm developed a mid-engined supercar study called the Mercedes CW311.

Although it had no interest in putting it into production, Mercedes was willing to supply engines and other components and let Isdera build the car under its own name. Thus the Isdera Imperator 108i was born.

The public had never accepted the Isdera Imperator 108i as a rival to Italian supercars. After 10 years of struggle, Isdera was finally closed in 1993.

10. Smart Automobile

  • Founded Year: 1994
  • Headquarters: Ningbo, China
  • Production: Electric Vehicles
  • Website: www.media.smart.com

Smart Automobile is a German automobile manufacturer that manufactures and sells the Smart Fortwo, a two-door city car that is marketed in 46 countries around the world. Smart cars are known for being compact and small, with a brand logo featuring the letter “C” meaning “compact” and an arrow shape meaning “forward-looking.”

The Smart ForFour is a super compact car developed and manufactured by Smart, a division of Daimler AG. The first generation first touched Europe between 2004 and 2006, while the second was released in 2014 to date.

Paralleling the trend toward electric vehicles, Smart launched its fully electric ForTwo for the first time in 2007. A second-generation launch followed in 2009 with a total of 2,000 units sold in 18 countries. Its electric vehicles are powered by a lithium-ion battery made by Tesla Motors with an initial capacity of 14 kWh.

11. Bugatti

The Bugatti is a French brand owned by Volkswagen and a prestigious German car manufacturer. The car is available with a driver-centric dashboard that houses a cutting-edge infotainment system.

The cockpit of a Bugatti is a symphony of high-quality materials, including fine leather, carbon fiber, and polished metal accents.

The Bugatti Dynamic Plus package boosts the car’s power to 1500 horsepower with 1106 lb-feet of torque and can hurtle it from 0-60 in 2.3 seconds.

Its advanced technology features include a heads-up display, a touchscreen infotainment system, and a night vision system.

12. Aurus

The Aurus is a Prestigious German Car Manufacturer with modern technology and contemporary design sensibilities. It has adjustable bolsters and massage functions to ensure a relaxed journey. This spacious SUV has off-road capability with opulent comfort.

The seats, designed for ultimate comfort, are adorned with fine stitching, comfort, technology, and bespoke design. Aurus vehicle is a masterpiece, design, and the pursuit of automotive perfection.

Features like lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control keep the driver informed and in control, preventing potential accidents.

FAQ Regarding Best German Car Brands

Q. 1) What are the best luxury german car brands?

Ans. 1) Germany is known for being home to some of the world’s largest and most influential luxury car manufacturers, with which most of us are familiar. These include Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and Volkswagen.

Q. 2) Which German car brand is most reliable?

Ans. 2) The most reliable German car varies depending on the vehicle class you are looking for. For smaller cars, VW is the most reliable German ca brand. This includes small city runabouts like the VW Up! or the VW Golf. 

Once you level up, it’s a close battle between Mercedes, Audi, and BMW. The most reliable sedans include the Audi A4, BMW 5 Series, Audi A8, and Mercedes S-Class.

Q. 3) What car brand is popular in Germany?

Ans. 3) In 2021, 15.7% of the German-speaking population drove a Volkswagen, making it the most popular own car brand in the country.

Q. 4) What brand of cars are from Germany?

Ans. 4) German car manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi, and Volkswagen have been producing desirable and attractive models for many years, and the manufacturers themselves are among the most well-known brands in the world. 

Q. 5) Is Audi better than BMW?

Ans. 5) BMW often outperforms Audi in handling, as its cars are designed to provide the “ultimate driving experience.”

Audi cars are slightly less agile than BMWs because their overall stiffer suspension systems maximize a smooth and comfortable ride. When it comes to reliability, BMW consistently ranks higher.

Conclusion

All German car brands have unique styles and qualities. Because of this, most of these brands have been producing and selling cars worldwide for over a century.

While some brands are extremely famous, there’s no denying how cool and stylish the comparatively less famous ones are. So if you are planning to buy a German-made car, you have many great options to choose from.

David Smith
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David Smith

David Smith is Chicago based automotive content writer. He has been working in the auto industry for a long time. And shares his thoughts on automobiles, repair and maintenance, top selling cars on Auto Seeks. David Smith likes to ride new vehicles so that he can present a well informative information to our readers. Beyond cars and vehicle review he also enjoys playing baseball along with teengers.

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