Best German cars in 2026

Few cars have shaped the family hatchback market quite like the Volkswagen Golf. For more than 50 years it has refined a simple formula of quality, practicality and comfort, earning a reputation as one of the most complete all-rounders on sale. Whether you're a first-time buyer, a growing family or a company car driver, the Golf offers a blend of usability and refinement that's difficult to match.

The latest Golf is available with petrol, diesel, mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid power, giving plenty of choice. Inside, the cabin feels reassuringly premium, with supportive seats, quality materials and the latest infotainment technology. It also delivers impressive refinement, making it just as comfortable on a long motorway journey as it is tackling the daily commute or school run.

The Golf isn't the cheapest hatchback you can buy, but its solid build quality, excellent safety record, low running costs and strong resale values help justify the price. It remains the benchmark by which almost every other family hatchback is judged.

The BMW 3 Series has spent decades perfecting the art of balancing everyday usability with driver engagement. If you enjoy driving, few cars offer a better blend of sharp steering, composed handling and rear-wheel-drive balance. It feels agile and rewarding on a winding road, yet remains refined and comfortable enough for long motorway journeys.

There's also a wide range, covering efficient petrol and diesel engines as well as the popular 330e plug-in hybrid. The 330e is particularly good for company car drivers thanks to its low Benefit-in-Kind tax rates, while high-mileage users may still prefer the impressive economy and performance offered by the diesel models. Then of course there's the exceptional BMW M3.

Inside, the 3 Series feels thoroughly modern, with BMW's curved digital display, intuitive infotainment system and high-quality materials throughout the cabin. Rear-seat space is generous enough for family duties, while the boot is decent enough. For those who want a premium saloon or estate that still puts the driver first, the 3 Series remains one of the class benchmarks.

The Volkswagen ID.4 demonstrates just how far electric cars have come. Designed from the outset as an EV, it combines everyday practicality with the quality and usability that buyers have come to expect from Volkswagen.

Its dedicated electric design means a spacious cabin with a completely flat floor, giving rear passengers plenty of room to stretch out while the large boot easily copes with pushchairs, shopping or everything for a day at the beach. Despite its SUV proportions, the ID.4 is comfortable to drive around town, with light steering and excellent visibility making it surprisingly easy to manoeuvre.

Recent updates have brought improved electric motors, faster charging speeds and a much-improved infotainment system, addressing many of the criticisms levelled at earlier models. Depending on the version, official driving ranges are more than 300 miles, making longer journeys straightforward.

The ID.4 also delivers the quiet refinement and reassuring build quality buyers expect from Volkswagen. Comfortable on the motorway and effortless in traffic it's one of the most convincing electric family SUVs on sale and an excellent choice for drivers looking to make the switch to an EV.

The Audi A6 has earned a reputation as one of the finest large cars for long-distance driving. Quiet, comfortable and well built, it delivers the kind of refinement that makes hundreds of motorway miles feel far less tiring. Whether you're commuting across the country or regularly travelling for business, the A6 excels at making every journey feel relaxed and effortless.

Inside, there's Audi's usual premium approach to design and technology. The Virtual Cockpit digital driver's display sits alongside an intuitive infotainment system, while high-quality materials, supportive seats and impressive sound insulation create an environment that feels every bit as luxurious as its premium rivals. It's also fitted with driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control and lane guidance, which are great for long motorway trips.

There's a wide range of engines with mild hybrid petrol and diesel engines that deliver impressive fuel economy for high-mileage drivers, while plug-in hybrid models mean you can cover shorter daily journeys on electric power alone, helping reduce fuel costs.

The A6 is also remarkably easy to live with. It offers lots of passenger space, a large boot and predictable handling that inspires confidence. Strong residual values and Audi's reputation for quality make it an excellent choice for drivers looking for a premium saloon that combines luxury, technology and everyday practicality.

The Porsche 911 is one of the world's most iconic sports cars and a benchmark for performance combined with everyday usability. More than 60 years after it first appeared, the latest model remains instantly recognisable thanks to its timeless design and distinctive rear-engined layout.

Despite its supercar performance, the 911 is surprisingly easy to live with. The cabin is beautifully finished, the driving position is excellent and there's enough luggage space in the front boot for a weekend away. Whether you're commuting, touring across Europe or enjoying a favourite back road short cut, the 911 feels equally at home.

The range is extensive, with everything from the Carrera and Carrera T to the GTS, Turbo and track-focused GT3. Buyers can also choose coupe, Cabriolet or Targa body styles, along with rear or four-wheel drive.

While it's undoubtedly expensive, the Porsche 911 has a well-earned reputation for holding its value. Exceptional build quality, strong demand and an unrivalled driving experience make it one of the safest and most rewarding performance car purchases you can make.

The BMW i5 brings everything BMW buyers have come to expect from the 5 Series into the electric era. It combines impressive performance, long-distance comfort and cutting-edge technology in a car that does everything remarkably well.

On the road, the i5 feels every bit like a BMW. It delivers strong acceleration, precise steering and neat handling, yet remains refined on motorways thanks to its quiet electric motor and well-controlled ride. Official EV ranges of more than 350 miles mean it can easily handle longer journeys, while rapid charging helps minimise the time spent sitting about at a Greggs waiting for the battery to get to 80%.

Inside, the i5 offers one of the best cabins around, with BMW's clever curved digital display, quality materials and the latest iDrive infotainment system. Passenger space is generous and the boot remains practical despite housing the battery.

All this does come at a cost of course. Being a BMW and an electric one means premium pricing but the BMW i5 justifies its cost with outstanding refinement, strong performance and low running costs. For anyone looking for a premium electric saloon that combines luxury with genuine driver appeal, it's one of the very best cars currently on sale.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has long been regarded as the benchmark luxury saloon and the latest generation shows exactly why. Every aspect of the S-Class has been engineered to deliver exceptional comfort, refinement and effortless performance. Advanced air suspension glides over poor road surfaces, while acres of sound insulation creates an almost silent cabin, making long motorway journeys feel relaxing.

Technology is another major strength. The S-Class features Mercedes-Benz's latest MBUX infotainment system, a digital cockpit and all the driver assistance features you can think of. But it's in the back where you want to be. Rear-seat passengers get limousine levels of space and comfort, with reclining seats, massage functions and climate controls that make it just as rewarding to be chauffeured as it is to drive.

Despite its size, the S-Class is surprisingly easy to manoeuvre thanks to features such as rear-wheel steering and advanced parking assistance. Yes it comes with a premium price, but few cars combine luxury, technology and engineering excellence so convincingly. If you're looking for the ultimate luxury saloon, the S-Class remains the car every rival is measured against.

The Porsche Taycan proved that electric cars could deliver the excitement, precision and driver involvement that enthusiasts expect from the Porsche. Its instant acceleration is hugely impressive, but it's the way the Taycan handles that really sets it apart. Accurate steering, exceptional body control and remarkable balance make it one of the most rewarding electric cars to drive, whether you're tackling a country lane or cruising effortlessly on the motorway.

The Taycan can handle long distances thanks to its rapid charging capability, with its 800-volt electrical architecture allowing ultra-fast charging (as long as you find a compatible public chargers). Inside, the cabin combines Porsche's trademark driver-focused layout with premium materials, excellent build quality and the latest infotainment. There's also a choice of bodystyles, including the practical Sport Turismo and Cross Turismo.

The Taycan is far from cheap but it remains the benchmark for high-performance electric cars, combining EV usability with genuine sports car handling and the feel you expect from a Porsche.

The Volkswagen Tiguan has become one of Britain's favourite family SUVs thanks to its blend of practicality, comfort and quality. There's lots of space for passengers, a large boot and it's powered by economical petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid engines. It also has a high-quality interior that feels durable enough to cope with family life and whatever you (and your children) can throw at it. 

On the road, the Tiguan is comfortable and confidence inspiring rather than sporty, making it ideal for everyday driving. It's also packed with driver assistance technology and remains one of the strongest all-round SUVs available.

It may not be the most exciting SUV available, but for families looking for a dependable all-rounder, the Tiguan remains one of the smartest choices on the market. If you need more space there's the seven-seat Volkswagen Tayron which replaced the old Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace.

It may be the smallest model in BMW's M range, but many would argue that the BMW M2 is also the best. Powered by a six-cylinder turbocharged engine and rear-wheel drive, it's a hugely engaging sports coupe that's as rewarding on a twisting B-road as it is on a circuit.

Like all good BMW M cars, the M2 is all about driver involvement. Sharp steering, superb balance and a finely tuned chassis inspire confidence, while the option of a manual gearbox (a rarity these days) only adds to the appeal. Despite its performance edge, it's surprisingly comfortable and refined enough for everyday use, with a well-built cabin, supportive sports seats and BMW's latest curved digital display.

The M2 is also surprisingly practical, with usable rear seats and a decent-sized boot. It may be the smallest M car on sale, but it delivers one of the biggest smiles per mile. In our opinion it's one of the most exciting German performance cars you can buy.