All-wheel-drive Vehicles Gaining Traction in Germany

In the first four months of this year, every fourth new car has this technology, the data showed. In all of last year, the figure was as high as 25.9%.

The share of AWD cars, which consume more petrol than those without it, has increased every year since 2010, when they had only an 11% share.

“One reason for the increase in the four-wheel drive share could be the boom in SUVs. For many buyers, all-wheel drive is part of the package,” the German automobile club ADAC suspects.

“Another aspect could be the popularity of recreational vehicles,” said ADAC expert Maximilian Bauer. Driving dynamics also play a role: “Front-wheel drive in particular is often overtaxed by the often high engine outputs of modern cars,” he said.

Bauer says that while AWD vehicles have improved their consumption over the years, they still weigh up to 80 kilograms more.

“And that costs fuel.”

And in the long run, also money. Depending on the mileage and prices, this can add up to more than €2,000 ($2,480) over the life of a car.

AWD vehicles are far from evenly distributed in Germany. The highest rates are found in Bavaria, with a peak of 28.6% in areas that are at least partly mountainous.

But some areas such as the city of Munich, with a 21% share in 12th place, are not exactly hilly.

In cities, especially flatter ones in northern Germany, such as Hamburg with 13% or Berlin with 11.5%, the cars are somewhat less popular.

Overall, the vehicles do better in southern Germany, which has more hills and mountains, than in the north.