Research: BMW drivers are the ‘stupidest’, but who is the smartest?

Every car brand has its own target group that it tries to appeal to. Could driver intelligence also be associated with a specific car brand like BMW? Or what about Skoda?

This British site asked 2,000 motorists to take an IQ test and came up with some surprising results.

Land Rover, Fiat and BMW drivers are ‘dumpest’

The results of these intelligence tests varied by brand. Of the participating brands, Land Rover, Fiat, BMW and VW finished last. Drivers from these brands achieved an average IQ score of 88.58, 90.14, and 91.68, respectively.

For comparison, the average Dutchman’s IQ is around 100 and in the UK, where the research was conducted, around 99. This is remarkable given that the drivers of almost all cars underperform. You may therefore wonder whether drivers per se are not only less smart than, for example, people who use public transport.

Skoda drivers turn out to be the smartest

With BMW, Land Rover and Fiat at the bottom, who are the smartest drivers? Finished at the top – drum roll – Skoda! With an average IQ score of 99, drivers from the Czech brand seem to be the smartest. This is also striking, because compared to the total population, this is no more than the average.

As you can see, Skoda drivers and Land Rover drivers differ by just over 10 IQ points. But Skoda owners don’t have to walk next to their shoes now. You don’t have to do without your Land Rover, Fiat or BMW either.

Two-thirds of the population has an IQ between 85 and 115. Every car brand on this list falls in between. Outliers are therefore rare. Only 2.5% of the population scores below 70 or above 130.

According to research, drivers of electric cars are the dumbest

Incidentally, the researchers not only checked which brand was being driven, but also what type of drive the cars had. Gasoline drivers score best on average with an IQ score of 94.35. In second place is a hybrid powertrain with a score of 93.89, followed by diesel engines with a 92.91. Drivers of electric cars bring up the rear with an average score of 90.19.