Overview & Reviews

In business for more than 100 years, Audi is an automaker that builds luxury cars and SUVs. The company was started in Germany and has remained Deutschland-based to this day.

"Audi Automobile Works" entered the German car-manufacturing business in 1910 and remained independent until the Great Depression. Because Audi's founder, August Horch, had left a 10-year-old company bearing his own name, he chose a Latin form of his name -- Audi -- for his new company. Audi joined with three other auto manufacturers in 1932 to form Auto Union. Audi, the only surviving nameplate from that union, was purchased by Volkswagen in 1964.

During the 1970s, Audi started to get noticed in the U.S. with its 100LS luxury sedan and compact and sprightly Fox coupe and sedan. By the late '70s the brand had replaced the dated 100LS with its new 5000 luxury sedan.

Every manufacturer has its defining moments. For Audi, one such moment came in March 1980 at the Geneva Motor Show. The automaker unveiled the Audi Quattro, an all-wheel-drive sport coupe that was met with a wildly enthusiastic response on the show floor. The Quattro's all-wheel-drive system went on to help Audi win accolades in motorsports and it was eventually integrated into the entire model range.

That year also saw the Fox replaced by the 4000. Four years later, the range-topping 5000 was redesigned. Audi's sales shot up nearly 50 percent, thanks chiefly to that newly aerodynamic yet handsome flagship that featured what would become an Audi hallmark -- an elegantly stylish, high-quality cabin.

Sadly, Audi's fortunes turned for the worse when the carmaker's 5000 model was accused of unintended acceleration in a 60 Minutes television episode. A subsequent government investigation found Audi innocent of the charge, but the resulting drop in sales nearly put Audi out of business in the U.S.

The late '80s saw Audi redesign the 4000, renaming it the 80 and 90 (with the 90 having more equipment) and also rename the 5000, dubbing it the 100 or 200. The 200 featured a turbocharged five-cylinder with all-wheel drive as opposed to a non-turbo five and front-wheel drive, as on the 100. A Coupe also debuted, as did a new flagship, a V8-powered 200 sedan simply called the "V8".

The following decade saw the A4 and Cabriolet models, as well as the renaming of the 100 to A6. The stunning A8 was introduced as Audi's new flagship, boasting all-aluminum construction and a beefy V8. High-performance versions of the various models bowed, dubbed S4, S6 and S8.

The start of the new millennium brought the TT, Audi's low-slung sport coupe (and later roadster). It also introduced RS versions of the A4 and A6, providing even more performance than "S" variants. In addition to "S" and "RS" versions of the TT, Audi's more recent releases include the A3 hatchback, Q5 crossover SUV, slick A5 coupe, exotic R8 sports car and A7 luxury hatchback sedan.

Today, Audi continues its success in the prestige car marketplace by offering a wide range of vehicles that impressively combine luxury and sport.

User Reviews:

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  Causes silly grin on face while driving - 2010 Audi A6
  By HLKNYC - January 7 - 9:08 pm

  Leased the 3.0T with the Prestige package, plus Side Assist and the cold weather package. This car zips, especially between 25-70 mph. I find myself enjoying the light steering touch, great cornering and the handling of the snow and ice with the all wheel drive. 12" of snow within the first week of picking up the car did not slow it down at all. While various cars and SUVs slip and slide or got stuck on the snow covered streets, the A6 moved as if the pavement was dry. To be critical, there needs to be more storage spaces up front. The trunk was deep, but narrow. To reach items in the back of the trunk, I needed to fold down the rear seats to reach them.

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  Jekyl and Hydemobile - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Woodrow - January 6 - 11:24 pm

  18" Bridgestone tires that came on car the loudest tires Ive ever owned. They also ride like they are filled with concrete. Sunroof shattered at about 5,000 mi. Repair caused a leak that migrated to the back and damaged electronics (all Audi repairs). Radio failed at 30,000 mi along with the CD screen. Film on the windshield (interior) cannot be removed by any glass cleaner either we or Audi have tried. "Milky" view of the world. Fuel consumption about 17 city and 22 hwy. on premium. Car is terrible in snow and ice - poor traction under power or brakes.

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  Love My A6 4.2L S-Line - 2005 Audi A6
  By BillsA6 - January 6 - 12:45 pm

  I bought this car used with only 7,800 miles. Love the smooth power and fit and finish. Ride is a little rough with the S-Line but on good roads the tracking and traction outweigh that. Interior is what got me over BMW - BMW interiors are boring. I just feel special driving it.

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  Great pick if changing from coupe - 2010 Audi Q5
  By Qutie - January 5 - 11:10 pm

  I changed from a Honda Accord coupe into the 2010 Q5 Premium Plus model with the S-Line package. I love the smooth ride, the quiet of the engine and the ability to pick up speed quickly. As for changing over from a coupe to a crossover, it has been seamless. The car is nimble, parks in standard spaces yet feels a lot larger when on the road. It also offers great general visibility from all sides. I didnt get the optional side assist feature, but still feel great about the views I do get.

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  Like it better every day - 2010 Audi A4
  By redherring1 - January 4 - 2:40 pm

  Replaced my trusty 04 Acura TL, ended up with a Premium Plus A4. Wanted a sporty AWD sedan, and there arent many--cross shopped the G37X Infiniti and Cadillac CTS, but the Audi is so solid, well-executed and efficient (both size and performance) that even with higher overall performance the others didnt compare. Ive never been in a car that feels more connected to the road in the dry, and in the wet or snow the thing tracks like a billy goat--on snow packed roads Ive had a hard time getting it to break loose, even intentionally. If the long-term reliability is there, this car is an absolute winner.

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  From the outside to the inside, it is an awesome car - 2009 Audi A4
  By Lisa - January 4 - 11:52 am

  Currently at 5,000 miles - quattro loaded, automatic, 4-door. From the outside to the inside, it is an awesome car. I have had zero problems out of the internal or external parts of the car. The major things that ppl suggest to improve for this car are not a problem for me with my car. No buyers remorse here, just happiness even in the winter. One small note: If you have a back injury or something close to it, you may want to buy another model other than the A4. Its a sports model and it can be uncomfortable for you. The seats are low minus a lot of cushion.

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  Nearly 4 years in... - 2006 Audi A3
  By AW - January 4 - 9:48 am

  ... and just passed 65,000 miles. Still love driving the car. Clutch still good. So far, failures are: a/c compressor, turbo valve, psgr lock button and radiator gave way at 52,000 miles the last one really got me bent cause the car was just out of warranty. Now have check engine light on, but car is running fine. Coded as fuel cap leak, so not worried. Car is on third set of tires. Original pirellis VERY noisy when worn, got zeons then yokahamas. Zeons good but wore out in about 5 minutes, yokahamas are a good compromise.

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  10.5 years with that 100cs Quattro - 1994 Audi 100
  By Humberto - January 3 - 4:40 pm

  Very good car, best car ever for Montreal winter driving, expensive to maintain if not followed closely, low foot print for used parts.

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  Great Car - 2002 Audi A4
  By flyboy - January 3 - 3:32 pm

  I get up to 36 mpg on the Interstate at 70, average 27 total including around town, uses no oil between 5000 mile changes, BE SURE to use synthetic and change it as the turbo is hard on oil, change the CVT every 50K, everything works like brand new on this car, no wind leaks, no rattles, no rust, no squeaks. Change the timing belt every 100K, brakes last 50K plus, has original shocks and they are still good.

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  Awesome - 2010 Audi Q5
  By Northern VA Driver - January 2 - 8:07 pm

  I purchased this vehicle a week ago. The driving experience has far exceeded expectations. The AWD keeps it glued to the road and the acceleration is very good. Acceleration from 0 to 20 MPH is not fast, but after 40 MPH, acceleration is sports car like. This is my first SUV and I was concerned about driving fun. However, the high up seating position affords excellent visibility, the Q5 handles like a car and it is an overall fun ride. I compared this to the RDX, XC60, RX350 and am very satisfied. The Q5 is a luxury SUV/car, that is just the right size. The Audi cockpit and attention to detail cant be beat. Also, the Q5 has plenty of room for the wife and kids.