18 Best German Luxury Cars in America

Fully three of the top five best selling luxury brands in the US are German. When it comes to performance and innovation, German luxury cars are unsurpassed. After all, a country with thousands of miles of unlimited speed highways simply has to produce outstanding automobiles. Perhaps this also explains the attitude of the manufacturers of German luxury cars. Consider their mottos: Mercedes-Benz: “The Best Or Nothing.” BMW: “The Ultimate Driving Machines.” Porsche: “There Is No Substitute.” Audi: “Truth In Engineering”. If you’re touting yourself in those kinds of terms, your stuff had better be good—right?

Audi A8

Audi has established itself as the leader in automotive electronics among the contemporary luxury manufacturers. Its all-aluminum A8 flagship is a veritable rolling showcase of cutting edge tech. Pair this with beautifully finished interiors and powerful engine offerings ranging from a six-cylinder diesel to a 12-cylinder gasoline fired powerplant—all fronting all-wheel drive powertrains—and Audi’s supremely desirable A8 commands considerable respect. Pricing starts at $77,400.

Audi A7

One of the most expressive examples of Audi’s four-door sedan philosophy, the Audi A7 is a slightly different take on the four-door coupe trend started by the Mercedes-Benz CLS back in 2004. Audi’s version of the genre adds a hatchback, though you’d be hard pressed to see it just looking at the styling of the car. Further, given its role as the sportier version of the A6, the Audi A7 frees the A6 to move farther toward the luxury end of the spectrum, while the A7 caters to the more athletically oriented four door Audi intender. Pricing starts at $65,900

Audi A6

Even while sharing showroom space with its sexier A7 sibling, Audi’s A6 is still one of the most desirable mid-level luxury sedans on offer. Fast, smooth, comfortable, and tastefully elegant; Audi’s A6 became even more luxurious with the advent of the sportier A7 in the maker’s lineup. Here’s the thing though, even though the A6 has been calibrated for more luxury, its road manners are still highly exemplary and its performance is just as strong as ever. Pricing starts at $44,800.

Audi A5

Easily one of the most handsome coupes on the road, Audi’s A5 is a paragon of style, offering a broad palette of available features housed in one of the most attractive interiors on the road. The Audi is also enjoyable to drive and exceptionally comfortable as well. For the 2015 model year, all-wheel drive has been made standard across the board for both the coupe and convertible versions of the Audi personal luxury car. Pricing starts at $40,000.

Audi A4

Delivering equal measures of comfort and performance is the Audi A4’s raison d'être. A particular strength, as is true of Audi models in general is the exceptional quality of its interior. Seated at an A4’s steering wheel, you can very easily see where the money went. Succinctly described, everything is just right. There’s no over the top exercises in play here, it’s all very tasteful with premium materials, pure lines, and sophisticated ambient lighting. Further, driving an A4 is just as enjoyable as being a passenger. Pricing starts at $35,500.

Audi A3

Redesigned for the 2015 model year, the Audi A3 lineup now contains a four-door sedan, a coupe, and a convertible. Being an Audi, quite naturally the marque’s renowned Quattro all-wheel drive solution is offered as an option for each version. The current darling of entry-level luxury cars, Audi’s A3 brings many of the most desirable attributes of its more expensive siblings to the sub-$30,000 price range; including their brilliant interior treatments, their exceptional ride/handling balance, and their unquestionable style. Pricing starts at $29,900.

BMW 7 Series

The BMW flagship is without question one of the best-handling full-size four-door luxury sedans you can buy. In fact, the model is so good; Rolls-Royce uses it as the basis for its entry-level Ghost sedan. There is a smoothness BMW’s cars possess, one that is superior to that of all other manufacturers. The 7 Series seemingly glides over the road. Further, its slate of engines is one of the most magnificent on offer—ranging from a turbocharged diesel, to a silken V12. There’s a hybrid powertrain as well. Pricing starts at $74,000.

Photo by BMW

BMW 6 Series

Prestige personified; the BMW 6 Series coupe, convertible, and four-door Gran Coupe are arguably the best looking German luxury cars currently offered. Sleek of line, with a countenance exuding outstanding capability, the BMW 6 Series is one of the most desirable range of cars on the market today. The stylish interiors, outstanding engines, and exemplary road manners only serve to cement the 6 Series position in the hierarchy of today’s luxury car offerings. Pricing starts at $76,100.

BMW 5 Series

One of the best all-around models on the market today, BMWs 5 Series caters to the driver with terrific roadholding, delectably responsive engines, and wonderfully comfortable interiors. The understated elegance of the look of the car actually makes it stand out from the crowd. Then, there is the broad variety of powertrains offered including diesel, hybrid, and all-wheel drive. Pricing starts at $49,950.

BMW 4 Series

Heading into its second year of production, the BMW 4 Series has established itself as a strong competitor in the personal luxury space. Like its larger 6 Series sibling, the 4 Series is offered in coupe, convertible, and four-door Gran Coupe formats. All are singularly desirable in their own right. Placing the needs and desires of enthusiast drivers high on its list of priorities, the 4 Series is one of the most coveted driver’s cars offered today. Pricing starts at $40,300.