When we hear the term “all-wheel-drive” as far as passenger vehicles go, we automatically think Subaru. But not this time…
The awards for the all-wheel-drive cars of the year 2015 were dominated by Mercedes-Benz. The readers of Europe’s largest 4×4 magazine “Auto Bild Allrad” voted models bearing the three-pointed star top in no less than five categories. This makes the premium car maker the most successful brand in this poll by some margin.
“Never has there been such a triumphant result for a single manufacturer in the 15 years that our readers’ poll has been running! Mercedes-Benz is our readers’ favourite brand without a shadow of a doubt!” is how Bernhard Weinbacher, the editor-in-chief of Auto Bild Allrad, described the poll’s clear outcome. The figures confirm this statement in emphatic fashion. Auto Bild Allrad readers were able to vote for their favourites from 176 models spanning ten categories. The result: five victories for the cross-country vehicles, SUVs and all-wheel-drive passenger car models from the star-studded brand.
The G-Class, the undisputed definitive 4×4 ever since its premiere in 1979 and the forerunner of all present-day Mercedes-Benz SUV models, emerged the clear winner in its category, racking up twice as many votes as its nearest rival. The real surprise of the reader’s poll, however, were the results achieved by the passenger car models with 4MATIC all-wheel drive, which secured three victories for Mercedes-Benz. In the category for all-wheel-drive passenger cars costing over 40,000 euros, the premium manufacturer even managed a clean sweep of the top three spots.
The individual victories:
- Cross-country vehicles/SUVs from 30,000 to 50,000 euros – GLK
- Cross-country vehicles/SUVs over 50,000 euros – G-Class
- All-wheel-drive passenger cars up to 40,000 euros – CLA
- All-wheel-drive passenger cars over 40,000 euros – S-Class
- All-wheel-drive sports cars, coupés and cabriolets – S-Class Coupé
“Auto Bild Allrad” is the 4×4 sister magazine of Auto Bild published by Axel Springer Auto Verlag and is Europe’s best-selling all-wheel drive motoring magazine with a total of around 63,000 copies a month. The awards ceremony for the all-wheel-drive cars of 2015 was held at DEPOT 1899 in Frankfurt am Main. This listed brick building dating from the century before last was used as a tram depot until 2003, and today houses a gastro-pub and various event halls.
