10 Best Cars For Going All Out On The Autobahn

So, you want to experience the Autobahn? Do you want to see what it’s like to witness supercars ravage the pavement as they pass the sacred “unrestricted” speed limit sign? Well, it’s not that easy. Yes, it’s true, Germans are extremely attentive and exhibit unmatched lane discipline while out on the road. As an outsider though, there are some factors that lead you to realize, reaching high speeds on the Autobahn is no simple task. With occasional traffic, and the fact that it is a public road, the Autobahn isn’t the supercar haven you might think it to be. Yes, occasionally you can find something with some decent power and maybe an exotic here and there, but for the most part, it’s normal people going about their day, just at speeds we never encounter elsewhere. If you are considering a visit do keep these things in mind, and remember not all of the Autobahn is unrestricted, so plan accordingly.

The initial idea of the Autobahn was first proposed in the 1920s, with unrestricted speed sections being strategically built with minimal curves to allow for sustained speed. Restrictions came and went with various world events, but a large portion of the autobahn remains unrestricted allowing those who want to save some time, a way to zip between cities as quickly as possible. The Autobahn serves as a testament to Germany’s obsession with efficiency, adherence to road manners, and automotive innovation. In reality, the cars that use the wonderfully maintained German roads to their full potential are perhaps a bit more pedestrian than you might think. Here are some of the best cars that you’ll actually see blasting down the Autobahn.

Related: The Fastest Sports Cars Under $60,000

1 BMW M550i

Front 3/4 view of blue 2018 BMW M550i xDrive driving. 

No M5 for the Autobahn, as there aren’t nearly enough sharp turns for such a monster. The M550i is still mighty fast, and slips under the radar, making for a slick sedan that sails away in the passing lane, and keeping other drivers wondering how a BMW 5 Series could run away from them so quickly.

BMW M550i Specs

The ultimate driving machine is, perhaps, the ultimate autobahn cruising machine. We can’t help but appreciate the subtle performance the M550i offers on high-speed roads. Opt for one of these in a mundane color, and your fellow autobahn motorists literally won’t know what flew past them.

2 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Front 3/4 view of 2017 silver Mercedes Benz E-Class parked. 

Hop in a taxi from a German airport and it will probably be a Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Said taxi will also probably immediately jump onto the Autobahn and if you’re lucky enough (or ask nicely), they just might wind out their humble E-Class taxi for your enjoyment. Mercedes-Benz has a bit of a history building taxi-specific E-Class models fit for every day, high-mile transportation duties, which makes sense as the E-Class is extremely impressive when it comes to masking speed.

You could be sitting comfortably at 160 kilometers per hour and not even know how many towns you’ve just passed. This is the magic of a Mercedes-Benz. Often diesel-powered, the luxury sedan is a warm welcome to a country that is very proud of its engineering and innovation.

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3 Audi A6 Avant

Front 3/4 view of red 2023 Audi A6 Avant 50 TFSI e quattro parked. 

Wagons tend to dominate the Autobahn. The Audi A6 Avant is no exception. This comfortable family mobile can routinely be seen flogging itself down the road with just as much determination as a supercar. It isn’t a lavish sports car but the A6’s ability to reach respectable speeds on the autobahn and hold that speed for kilometers at a time is admirable and showcases Audi’s commitment to building well-engineered vehicles that provide stability.

Audi A6 Avant Specs

Being comfortable with sustained high-speed driving on the Autobahn is something of an adjustment, especially when coming from a traffic-filled urban city. The fact that families can be seen floating by in the passing lane shows the Audi A6 Avant is made to be an immensely versatile car.

4 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon

Front 3/4 view of white 2019 Mercedes Benz G63 AMG driving. 

Who knew an AMG G63 was actually an incredibly fast vehicle. Sure on paper, it puts out a ton of power, but the sheer size, and more importantly, the shape would have you think it wouldn’t be anywhere near aerodynamic enough to sustain over 200 kilometers per hour, but it can, and then some. The G63 becomes a missile when let loose on the unrestricted Autobahn.

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon Specs

Witnessing a vehicle like the G63 handle the autobahn like child’s play, even though some of the rare twisty parts while maintaining a speed that is uncomfortable to match makes the behemoth Mercedes appear as though it’s defying physics. Acceleration is strong, it’s good off-road, and now we can confirm it can handle high-speed on-road duty as well. It seems there isn’t anything the G Wagon is bad it.

Related: 2026 Toyota Supra: Everything We Know So Far

5 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Front 3/4 view of red 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI driving. 

The hottest of hatches makes a stellar autobahn cruiser. The GTI is competent at speed, heck there was even a trim named the “Autobahn Package” providing a host of active safety and maneuverability upgrades along with a more sophisticated suspension, and, of course, a bit more power. Driving an Autobahn-equipped GTI at high speed on roads like the actual Autobahn is just as rewarding as its ability to carve up a canyon road.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Specs

The GTI is, and always was, great at exhibiting these dual-personality character traits. Its turbo inline-four provides a hefty initial and midrange punch that makes the engine feel bigger than it is. Most of the time while keeping the car at speed on the autobahn means the engine will sit in that midrange area, so you’ll have plenty of power to keep the car moving or adjust speed as necessary.

6 Porsche Cayman

Side view of 2017 riviera blue Porsche 718 Cayman driving. 

While the 911 is the quintessential Porsche, and in many cases the quintessential sports car, it is the more economical Cayman that makes the most sense for the Autobahn. With its (slightly) more efficient 2.0-liter flat-four engine sipping while zipping along at speed, 300 mid-engine horsepower in a Porsche that only weighs about 3,000 pounds we aren’t exactly slumming it.

Porsche Cayman Specs

Remember, fuel is expensive in Europe, so many shy away from the thirstier, larger engines. This is where the base Cayman makes sense. You have the handling of a Porsche, with the consumption of a Volkswagen, theoretically. The only problem is that the Cayman is such a great sports car that you won’t want to keep your foot out of the accelerator, thus still using considerably more fuel than intended. At the end of the day, the Porsche Cayman is still wildly quick even with the 2.0-liter engine and will very comfortably maintain a blistering speed on the autobahn.

Related: Porsche 911 Hybrid: Everything We Know So Far

7 Ford Fiesta ST

Front 3/4 view of 2022 green Ford Fiesta ST driving. 

A little gem that we can’t get our hands on anymore here in America, the Fiesta ST still impresses in Europe and remains a sprightly momentum car, worthy of speedy cruising on the Autobahn. When it isn’t chopping up mountain passes with its razor-sharp handling, its saucy little 1.5-liter three-cylinder can really push the little Fiesta to well past 200 kph.

Ford Fiesta ST Specs

In fact, it won’t stop pushing till it hits its 232 kilometer per hour top speed which is extremely fast, even on the autobahn. Even if it didn’t survive in America, the Ford Fiesta ST may have found its calling on German tracks and roads.

8 Mini Cooper JCW

Front 3/4 view of 2019 gray Mini John Cooper Works driving. 

You have to go for the John Cooper Works if you really want a quick mini. With a top speed of 250 kilometers per hour, you’ll be passing normal traffic at a staggering rate in no time. Powered by BMW’s brilliant little 2.0-liter inline-four codenamed, “B48”, this peppy little turbo-four can be found in other BMW products like the 3 Series.

Mini Cooper JCW Specs

Here it produces around 230 horsepower, and with relatively quick-spooling turbos, provides the necessary shove to fly down the Autobahn at speeds you might not expect from something with a mini badge on it.

Related: The Fastest Sports Cars Under $80,000

9 Toyota GR Yaris

Front 3/4 view of 2021 red Toyota GR Yaris driving. 

Our forbidden fruit is Germany’s little three-cylinder wonder. On the Autobahn or even racetracks like the famous Nürburgring, GR Yaris hot hatches can be seen traveling at an astounding pace. For a small machine, with a tiny engine these cars move swiftly.

Toyota GR Yaris Specs

Known for its charismatic little 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine, amazingly it puts out more power than the mini (257 horsepower), while also weighing over 100 pounds less. The power and weight advantages work wonders towards hurling the boxy Yaris up to speed. With the wheels pushed out to the corners of the car, the GR Yaris gives a sense of stability that appropriately matches its rumbling turbo three-cylinder heart.

10 Skoda Octavia RS

Front 3/4 view of white 2017 Skoda Octavia Combi RS driving. 

Out of all the cars listed, none can match the determination of a Škoda Octavia driver. In the States, we have Nissan Altima drivers who will almost always want to drive faster than any other car on the road.

Skoda Octavia RS Specs

In Germany, on the Autobahn, in unrestricted zones, we have the Skoda Octavia in RS form absolutely pinned sustaining speeds above 200 kilometers per hour far longer than anything else on the road. Truly a sight to behold, we must give credit where credit is due. The Skoda Octavia driver is serious about speed and must be taken seriously, so make sure to merge over a lane or two so the mighty Octavia RS can shine.