“Quattro” was almost a synonym for all -wheel drive in Germany for decades. The branding of Audi was so strong that many drivers assumed that it led the premium market for AWD share. But until 2025 this title belongs to BMW. According to the latest data from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), quoted by BimmetodayBMW not only overtaken Audi, but also pulled Mercedes with a clear lead.
Between January and August 2025, 54.5 percent of all BMW registered in Germany were equipped with XDrive. Despite his inheritance in this area, Audi is 50.7 percent, while Mercedes remains 44.7 percent. In absolute terms, the leadership of BMW is even clearer. The new registrations with XDrive were 88,472 units in Germany in Germany by August, which received more than 12,000 cars to the brand more than Mercedes and more than 22,000 in front of Audi.
BMW reclaimed its market share of 2022 and 2023
This changing landscape is not entirely new. BMW already equipped Audi and Mercedes in all -wheel drive in 2022 and 2023 before Audi briefly recaptured the crown in 2024. BMW has now returned convincingly to the top.
The cars that drive this success are primarily the brand’s compact SUVs. The X1 and its electric siblings, the IX1, are the largest participants, followed by the new 5 and the i5 electrical variant as well as the new G45 X3. Together, these models illustrate the strong customer appetite for SUVs and electrified limousines in Germany and help to build and maintain the structure and maintenance of the dynamics. Mercedes is on the meantime and has never managed to bring his all-wheel drive over the 50 percent brand. Audi, once regarded as an unshakable guide in this discipline, now plays a catch -up.
XDrive vs. Quattro against 4matic
Another layer of complexity is below the headlines. The systems marketed as XDRIVE, Quattro, 4matic or 4matic+ are not identical. Depending on the cars, BMW customers can choose between the front and driven platforms, whereby the XDRIVE setup in a 3-series or 5 series in an X1 is very different. Audi also uses different solutions in its line -up, from front drive strands in smaller cars to rear versions in larger limousines and SUVs. Mercedes also adapts its systems to the platform, whereby 4MATIC+ is reserved for high-performance AMG models.
Electric vehicles give the story a further turn, since the installation of a second electric motor on the axis unused generates a form of all -wheel drive by default. This has made cars such as the IX1 and i5 particularly important for BMW, since they naturally strengthen the AWD share of the brand and at the same time bring them into broader electrification goals.
