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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  I Love This Car! - 2008 Audi A3
  By Buck Greenlaw - December 22 - 5:33 pm

  This car is an absolute riot! The A3 is truly an Audi, truly a German automobile. One might be inclined to assume that the bottom-of-the-line Audi is just that, a tepid facsimile of the brand. On the contrary, the A3 possesses all of the presence and character of a complete European luxury machine. I continue to be amazed with the build quality. The driving experience is just phenomenal. The engine note is something that must be experienced youd never guess a small five door could sound this wonderful. I could gush unapologetically about the car for far more than 700 characters so I will conclude with this summation: This car is sick!!!

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  This is a great car!! - 2000 Audi A6
  By yukon - December 20 - 9:23 pm

  I have had the car for 7 1/2 years. It still looks and drives great. I just looked around, since I figured it was time to replace the car, and there is nothing that I like enough to justify replacing this car. I upgraded the suspension, and chippe dit 7 years ago, and it is still just a great package.

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  Very responsive in both handling and accelerating - 2000 Audi S4
  By Robert - December 20 - 3:19 pm

  This car is very responsive in both handling and accelerating. The ride quality is still good, but may be a bit too soft for some prospective buyers looking at sport sedans. There is a wide variety of performance after-market parts for this car.

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  Excellent - 2010 Audi Q5
  By pvp2 - December 19 - 6:52 pm

  The interior is outstanding and the handling has been a pleasant surprise. It has the right amount of firmness and handles hills and acceleration beautifully. I am thoroughly impressed. The only negative comment I have is about the iDrive feature or whatever they call it. I was pretty proficient in the BMW iDrive and came to like it. I hope that I will eventually learn to navigate my Audis too, but so far it has not been intuitive. I think I will come to like it but it is going to take a few weeks to get used to it.

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  Traded In My 14 For A New 16 - 2016 Audi A6
  By Bill Fink - December 19 - 2:52 am

  For the first time in my life, did I decide to go Diesel. I had NO IDEA of the stats for cars equipped with Diesel Engines. i.e. I didnt know they have a higher value, higher (MUCH) higher gas mileage. I enjoyed my 14 A6 - THAT MUCH, that I just went and traded that in for a new 16. (Faster MMI/Console MUCH better resolution on the screen - that "techie" list goes on and on, though I have to admit, its the "techie" stuff that sells me.)

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  LOVE IT! - 2010 Audi A5
  By Skyrocker - December 18 - 10:59 am

  I have owned this magnificent piece of machinery for over 1 month now and I love every time I get in it. The amazing look the car and the handling is great, it is by far the best car I have ever driven.

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  Fun to drive - 2001 Audi A6
  By bwb - December 16 - 11:29 am

  Bought the car used w/ 38K miles, now with 110K. Has been a true pleasure to drive, I still get positive comments on it. Great on the highway and fun in the turns. Very comfortable for 4 with room in the trunk. Purchase with eyes open as repairs can get $$. I have an excellent independent mechanic shop (stay away from dealerships (one repair the dealer quoted $1700 to repair, they did it for $400) and with their help, I have to spend 500-2K a year on extra repairs and have never been stranded. Sports seats=will be uncomfortable if you need extra displacement upon seating. Sports suspension=firm ride. Alloy wheel=possible bent rims.

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  Great quality, reliable, fun to drive. - 1998 Audi A4
  By Denis Abramov - December 15 - 1:50 pm

  I have driven my pearl white Audi for about 3 months now. Before this Audi, I was driving a 2002 Volvo S60 (great car also). I have all factory packages that were available for this car. My car has a 30v V6 which sounds lovely before 4k rpms, after that, it builds up this roar, all the way to redline of 6800. The sport package is outstanding (if you prefer comfort, you wouldnt like it). The sport seats are somewhat hard but support you when entering a corner at 40+mph. Suspension is a bit harsh too but the car handles like it is on rails. Cruising at 80mph is a breeze and my friends cant even tell were going 80. Take care of it, it will last forever!

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  Do your research before you buy a 2017 Audi A5 Cab - 2017 Audi A5
  By Former Audi Lover - December 14 - 5:58 am

  As a longtime Audi owner, I have been shocked and disappointment in this car. It has been in for service 6 times in 8 months. In addition, there have been 2 recalls. The car drives fine, but has a constant vibraton/buzz from the engine. The car also has difficulty shifting, and can be quite jerky at times. While the car is fun to drive when it is acting properly, it isnt worth the money or the headache.

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  A Great Car! - 2010 Audi Q5
  By Marcel - December 13 - 10:47 pm

  I picked up a Black Prestige a few days ago. I own a Volvo XC90, but handling in the Q5 is far superior, as it drives as a sports car. We had a massive snowstorn last week, which has made roads slippery and icy in Wisconsin. I am very impressed with how the Q5 handles the road under these conditions. Regarding the purchase, I was between the Premium Plus with Nav and Prestige Packages. I went for the Prestige and paid the extra 3K, but I think the only accessory really worth the extra cost is the side-assist (only available for Prestige). I think the B&O Stereo is overrated. Overall, I am quite happy so far.