Many Americans tend to have a soft spot for German-engineered cars. 

Vehicles such as BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and Audi carry a reputation for fine design and craftsmanship. But when you look beyond the high price tag and the fancy commercials, do these vehicles actually live up to their notoriety?

In our humble opinion, they don’t. In fact, many German automakers are living on the fumes of the past.

Back in the 1960s and 1970s, Germany built some great, reliable automobiles. In the good old days, Consumer Reports gushed about the reliability of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and even Volkswagen cars.

This helped to inflate German-engineered cars to disproportionate levels. It’s been that way ever since. Don’t believe us? Take a look at these facts:

  • German cars lack innovation. German automakers got fat and lazy living off of their nameplates. Meanwhile, companies like Toyota have been pushing innovation through their hybrid technology and world-class safety features.
  • German cars aren’t that reliable. The whole point of having a car is to drive it. You can’t do that when it’s in the shop waiting on some expensive parts. When it comes to reliability, you can’t go wrong with a Toyota. Plus, Toyota OEM parts aren’t as expensive as some German auto parts.
  • There’s a good chance your German-engineered car wasn’t even made in Germany. Volkswagen manufactures some of its cars for the U.S. in Mexico. They’re also building a plant for its Audi line of luxury cars in Mexico. Meanwhile, companies like Toyota are building manufacturing facilities in the USA. 

These are just a few reasons we believe German-engineered cars are overrated. It’s better to go with a Toyota. If you’re looking for a luxury vehicle, try a Lexus. Both are better options.