Although the Germans didn’t exactly invent the SUV concept, they have certainly elevated it to another level over the years. From sporty to luxury, and even actual off-road-focused machines, they have had it all, embracing the vehicle platform like no other.
Each of the big German brands have released at least one option for every conceivable market segment, and although there have been a few flops here and there, and at least one notable scandal, they have produced some of the most desirable SUVs money can buy. Out of the hundreds of different SUVs German manufacturers have produced over the years, these are the 10 coolest.
10 Audi Q7 V12 TDI
Launched in a time when the VW group and all its customers still had complete faith in diesel technology, they unleashed this monster.
Frankly speaking, emissions are always going to be woeful from any form of V12, and this is truly an exhibition of excess. It has more power than anyone would ever need, putting down more than 730 pound-feet of torque, it launches the behemoth Audi from 0-60 in 5.5 seconds.
9 VW Touareg R50
Sharing a platform with the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7 meant the Touareg had access to some of the most powerful diesel engines on the market.
For the R50, VW settled on the 350 horsepower V10 diesel, which could rocket the SUV from 0-60 in just under 7 seconds, or just as quickly as the contemporary Mk5 GTI.
8 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S
AMG were not best pleased that other manufacturers started encroaching on their “home-turf,” setting record times at the Nordschleife.
So they tuned this model almost specifically for the job and although their record has also since been beaten, the GLC 63 remains a very track focused SUV that will blow most modern sports cars away. If you want more, you can also always turn to the famous tuner Brabus.
7 BMW X5 M
With all the other manufacturers getting into the hot SUV business, the already sporty X5 was no longer anywhere near the top of the segment.
The M version brought them back into the ring and though it isn’t the fastest in this speedy segment, it is one of the best all-around, high-performance SUVs.
6 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen
Sometimes the original really is best, and the fact that Mercedes still sells a modern version of the G-Wagen, which debuted back in the late-1970s, is a testament to that.
The original series is arguably the most off-road capable SUV any German company has ever made. It has since morphed from a serious military-duty machine to a full-on luxury SUV that retains the original version's incredible off-road abilities. .
5 Porsche Macan
Although there were most certainly crossovers before the Macan, the Macan somehow made the platform “cool.”
It brought an element of luxury and sportiness that no other manufacturer had even thought of offering in this practical-minded segment. Now, with the shift to EVs this segment has gotten more sporty than ever.
4 BMW iX3
After successfully testing the waters with the i3, BMW have now taken the big electric plunge with the iX3.
It has so far built up a reputation as one of the best EVs outside the US, and although it isn’t available in the US just yet, expect that to change as soon as BMW are able to offer an extended range version.
3 Audi SQ5
Not long ago, sports cars were considered very quick if they were able to achieve a 0-60 time of under 5 seconds.
Today, you can get that kind of performance from an SUV. The SQ5 version of the mid-range Q5 is astonishingly fast. With around 350 horsepower, it will destroy even the hottest of hot hatches.
2 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S
The original super SUV has actually aged rather well, however be aware that the first generation cars do have a plethora of wiring issues.
At the time, it was one of the most over-engineered platforms, with the VW group identifying the potential early on. Today it has proved to be a versatile option that can easily be converted for high speed off-roading. Just be sure to have your multimeter handy at all times.
1 Audi e-tron
Arguably the most exciting SUV to hit the market in recent memory. It is the first SUV that actually can take the fight to the flawed, but potent Tesla Model X.
Audi have had some teething issues in the past, but now with it in its 4th year, all that is seemingly behind them. It is interesting to note that this clean SUV can post the same 0-60 time as its older, dirty diesel V-12 relative.