Long story short: we all love German cars. They're part of an automobile landscape that's heavily dominated by brand names and big manufacturers, pumping out fast, high-quality vehicles year after year. Indeed, they're widely regarded as the most reliable brands, with their high-class national roots giving them worldwide recognition and making them in high demand. No doubt the 'big three' manufacturers that immediately spring to your mind are the big boys of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. We all know about those.
Thing is, there's also a few other lesser-known German car brands and models which you might not have heard of. We're going to keep you in the loop by covering them all in this blog, so take this as your definitive all-you-can-eat guide on German cars.
You never know, you might end up wanting to leasing a German car.
Why So Popular?
Two words: German engineering.
From producing vehicles of superior quality in which performance over appearance is the main priority, it's little wonder that German car brands are known for their commitment to luxury quality and class – and little wonder that they've become a staple on UK roads. Many of the German car brands we know around the world today belong to the high-class, luxury and performance categories.
Plus, this is a sector that employs more than 800,000 people in Germany. And in addition to the 6 million cars produced within the country, 5.5 million vehicles are made for German car companies at production facilities located outside the country. That being the case, it's easy to see why such quality has spread around the globe.
Audi
Perhaps the first name we think of when it comes to German manufacturers, Audi is easily one of the most recognisable car brands, with easily one of the most recognisable car logos in the world (featuring four rings that are said to represent the four companies that came together to form the brand back in 1909).
Known for being one of the world’s top motoring brands (one of the ‘big three' German prestige brands, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz), Audi offers you rewarding power, prestige and refinement with every model. The brand maintains a growing model line-up – from the ever-popular A1, A3 and A4 ranges to the instantly recognisable Audi TT and the luxurious yet versatile Q8, plus many more.
Let's face it, Audi is no stranger when it comes to top-quality vehicles. The brand is, after all, a world-class provider of high-performance cars. Although mostly famous for its luxury cars, the company’s product line also includes smaller vehicles, SUVs, as well as sedans.
Let's take a look at some of our favourites . . .
Audi A3
A significant model in the Audi brand and one that's still popular worldwide, the mid-sized Audi A3 practically invented the premium compact sector way back in 1996. Since then, Audi has expanded the range to incorporate an array of body types and engines – all whilst retaining the same DNA and appeal of the original model. Handsome looks and superb user-friendliness are just a few of the A3's standout features.
Luckily for you, the A3 is also available as a convertible and saloon model. Take your pick.
Audi Q5
The SUV vehicle class has only continued to grow in popularity, and Audi certainly hasn't been one to pass up on the trend. Big, spacious, well-built and well-designed, the Audi Q5 is an appealing car that offers all of the functionality and practicality of an SUV. Yet even with its size, the Q5 offers incredibly economical performance in just about every department. In other words, it's just about the perfect SUV in which to get the most of the Audi brand's best image in compact SUV form.
Audi TT
Whether on the screen or on the streets, you've seen it before. Yep, instantly recognisable, the Audi TT pretty much became the brand's flagship model. One of the most recognisable automobile designs in recent years, the TT came into being in 1998. Its stunning exterior combined with its trailblazing interior was only complemented by its excellent built quality, incredible performance and extensive range of specifications, contributing to the car's popularity.
All generations have come along just as well as the original. Plus, the exterior has also improved, further cementing the TT as the finest sports coupe car in this segment. The TT is living proof that it's possible to buy the perfect sports car for the everyday driver with the best possible features, and it also serves as the perfect weekend car.
Surprisingly, it's also available as a convertible roadster, just in case you want the roof down and the wind in your face.
BMW
Another luxury car brand that you’re sure to be familiar with, BMW or 'Bayerische Motoren Werke' (translating into English as 'Bavarian Motor Works') started life in Germany in 1916 thanks to the innovation of three gentlemen named Franz Josef Popp, Camillio Catiglionia and Karl Rapp. And of course, the rest is history . . .
A true world-class luxury car manufacturer, it's no understatement to say that BMW has an impressive array of models to its name. Their line-up includes hatchbacks, SUVs and, more recently, electric and hybrid models like the BMW i4 and the BMW i7.
The blue and white quarters in the BMW logo represent the colours of the company's home state, Bavaria.
Here's a couple of our favourite BMW models to get you going . . .
BMW 1 Series
BMW's world-famous 1 Series can't help but flaunt its executive and successful reputation. The 1 Series has been aesthetically improved overtime, offering a 3-door hatchback body style for all tastes and styles. Cabriolets and coupe body styles can be found in early models, with later ones being mainly a hatchback as a result.
The ultimate driving machine.
BMW 3 Series
The 3 Series' varied engine selection and specification help ensure that the series continues to appeal in each new generation.
the 7th generation BMW 3 Series gives you more of what you need, or desire, and less of what you don't. This latest generation hasn't lost its allure, so much so that it's difficult to see this vastly improved mid-sized executive model coming out as second best to any other vehicle in its segment.
Excellent driver experience and performance are always a classic combination for all three Series models, together with an appealing look, quality, strong construction choice and quality materials.
Mercedes-Benz
Now based in Stuttgart, this luxury automaker was formed by Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler in 1926.
Synonymous with high-quality motoring, Mercedes-Benz is known worldwide for its refinement, engineering and technological innovation. Among the largest German car brands, producing high-performance vehicles, trucks, coaches and buses. Its sedans and coupes often feature on top-selling luxury car lists, though it might surprise you to learn that the brand once boasted a healthy record in Formula 1 engine manufacturing. That role ceased in 1990, however.
The iconic three-point star logo is one of the most recognisable in the world, symbolising the company's drive for universal motorization. The points represent land, sea, and air – environments the company believed they would one day dominate.
Step outside the ordinary and discover a premium range of Mercedes-Benz car leasing options. From the popular A-Class to the E-Class executive saloon and luxurious, sleek S-Class, Mercedes-Benz is easily classed as one of the ‘big three' German brands. With its powerful sports models and increasingly popular SUVs such as the GLA and GLC, Mercedes is a force to be reckoned with - competing strongly against Audi and BMW.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Its predecessor was the Mercedes-Benz 190, introduced to the public in the early 90s and immediately establishing a high standard of quality.
Having been around for almost thirty years, this German car has become one of Mercedes' most cherished contributions. It was intended to bridge the gap between conservatively-sized hatchback and sizeable executive estate; two markets the manufacturer had effectively saturated over the course of previous years.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Perfect for anyone looking for the perfect vehicle for comfort.
When this iconic S-Class model arrived on the scene half a century ago, it was intended to signify a "Special-Class" as Mercedes looked to definitively establish this vehicle at the peak of the executive scale. And that is precisely where it now sits. Frequently considered the pinnacle of prestige, detail and opulence, a lease on the S-Class means driving one of the most sought-after vehicles around.
As a Mercedes-Benz, you get executive styling, an incredible level of innovation as well as superb performance.
Opel
One of the older companies in our list of German car brands, Opel's origins go back all the way to 1862, though their first car didn’t appear until much later, in 1899. That's because the brand started out with the production of bicycles and sewing machines, and has since evolved to become a popular car company. Nowadays, the company's line of products include passenger vehicles as well as lightweight commercial vehicles.
The company also manufactures vehicle parts sold worldwide.
Porsche
Italy may still hold pole position when it comes to sports cars (e.g. Ferrari, Lamborghini), but Porsche does at least have enough to give Germany a fighting chance to compete in this domain. Formed by Ferdinand Porsche in 1931, this is a brand that excels in the production of high-performance automobiles and SUV models. As for the emblem, it features a shield bearing the State of Wurttemberg's coat of arms.
Porsche’s headquarters were located in Stuttgart, which was the capital of Württemberg. That being the case, it's little surprise that the Porsche logo is modelled on the Free People’s State of Württemberg’s coat of arms, which is also why it's shaped like a crest, aligning with the traditions of Württemberg-Baden. The horse at the centre of the logo is also symbolic, because Stuttgart was built atop a horse-breeding farm. Stuttgart used horses in its city seal, inspiring Porsche to make a black horse the centrepiece of its logo, representing power and the seal of Stuttgart.
Some of the most popular Porsche models include the 918, the 911, the Macan, Cayenne, Cayman, Boxter, and the Panamera. Let's start with arguably the most well-known.
Porsche 911
Born in the 1960s, the beauty of the 911 is that it's able to use many models everyday without a problem, even when it is just an ordinary sports car. Meanwhile, the modern generations are now more desirable whilst still maintaining that iconic 911-style silhouette.
Make no mistake, the 911 is a car that's going to make your journey more enjoyable.
Volkswagen
Unlike the powerhouses that are Audi and BMW, Volkswagen Group is known for producing affordable mass market German cars. Known as 'the car of the people' ('Volks' = people, 'Wagen' = car), Volkswagen has typically been known to produce more accessible mass market vehicles. First launched in 1937 on the eve of the Second World War, the brand was soon associated with the Nazi regime. Despite that, it has still managed to retain its reputation nonetheless.
While they don’t have the same racing pedigree or luxury as some of the other German car manufacturers, VW still boasts a wide portfolio of vehicles that includes hatchbacks, saloons, super-minis, as well as some SUVs and trucks. True to the times, they are now also taking a foray into electric vehicles with the ID series.
Volkswagen Golf
Introducing the most notable vehicle from Volkswagen Group. Like the BMW 3 Series, the VW Golf has been treated to numerous body models over the years, including a convertible and estate model. That being said, the Golf will always be most recognisable from its iconic hatchback form which we all know and love. The robust building quality of the Golf is a great solution to the perfect hatches.
Summing Up
So there you have it – the definitive Who's Who of German cars.
As you can see, there's a lot more to German car manufacturers than simply the big three of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, so hopefully we've informed you well on what else is available. There's a big motoring world out there, folks. The sky really is the limit.
Your options are many, so as we good people at LeaseLoco like to say . . . get leasing!