12:18 29-04-2026

BMW xDrive gains ground in Germany as all-wheel drive becomes increasingly dominant

In the first quarter of 2026, more than 60% of all BMW vehicles registered in Germany were equipped with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system. That marks a clear increase from the previous period: a year earlier, all-wheel-drive models accounted for 54.9%.

By comparison, Audi sold almost 10,000 fewer vehicles with Quattro over the same period, while its all-wheel-drive share stood at 49.5%. For Mercedes, the figure was lower still, at 44.7% for vehicles fitted with 4Matic.

The obvious reason for BMW’s strength is the X-series SUV range, which is not offered in rear-wheel-drive form in Germany. Around 80% of those vehicles are equipped with xDrive. Yet the pattern is not limited to SUVs: 41.9% of BMW sedans and coupes are also sold with all-wheel drive.

The rise of all-wheel drive at BMW began years ago. In 2009, only about 14.9% of the brand’s vehicles sold had the option. Since then, the share has continued to grow, helped by the company’s deliberate push toward all-wheel-drive versions and by premium model lines where such variants are increasingly central. The latest version of the legendary 7 Series, for example, is offered exclusively with xDrive.