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:

• 

  Total pleasure to drive, and beautiful - 2009 Audi A4
  By Carson - November 27 - 1:49 pm

  I love to drive this car. Its the Prestige with nav and drive select. The handling is unbelievable, combined with a truly solid ride and plenty of power. I was concerned at first whether the car would have sufficient power for my lead foot, but it certainly does, especially in sport mode. You just need to punch it -- with a turbo, one needs to use more pedal than with a non-turbo 6 cyl. The gadgets are wonderful: Nav, bluetooth, Sirius radio, backup parking beeper and camera. The Bang & Olufsen sound system is fabulous, worth the extra. I took the car on a 3000 mile trip. One barely notices getting to high speed, very solid, esp. with dynamic mode. Radar detector needed!

• 

  I like it. - 2001 Audi A4
  By davking - November 27 - 10:00 am

  The car is fun to drive on mountain roads for me and nice to drive to church for my wife. As she says, it just goes right along. The interior is beautiful and apparently well put together. But it creaks more than our 1987 Acura Integra did.

• 

  great car - 2002 Audi A4
  By wu88 - November 27 - 10:00 am

  Was looking for an A4 or 325. heres what i found with 2 similarly equipped cars (both with sport pkg, prem pkg, auto, xenon): -BMW WINS: 1. BMW inline 6 2. power seats w/ memory. no excuse for this not being available on the 1.8T. -AUDI WINS: 1.styling (this is close). 2.interior. we got a dolphin gray exterior and a "platinum" interior. Beautiful. 3. various features...in-dash 6-CD changer, standard. dual-zone climate control. 4. Price. (diff of $3000) 5. 4-yr free maintenance. however, BMW has matched this for their 2003 models

• 

  best 9 year old car around - 2008 Audi A5
  By Chris - November 26 - 11:48 pm

  best car Ive ever owned

• 

  My 2007 Audi A6 delivers. - 2007 Audi A6
  By H J Richardson - November 25 - 10:00 pm

  The A6 4.2 is my first German luxury sedan, having previously enjoyed both Volvo and Acura sedans. The A6 clearly outclasses, and out-performs, these models, as it should for its premium price. Overall, I am very pleased with this car after 20,000 miles. It has been mechanically sound, is safe and comfortable, has classic euro lux sedan good looks, and delivers great performance. Two things have really impressed me. First, the quattro AWD -- it performs in all weather conditionsI wont have another car without AWD. Second, fuel economy - it is very good for a powerful V8, I often get 26-28 on the highway even when Im pushing the pace. The navigation and MMII systems are lackluster.

• 

  Just a terrific car! - 2009 Audi R8
  By Brian S - November 25 - 4:48 pm

  After all the waiting I finally have my 09 R8. It exceeds all my expectations. It sounds right, handles fabulous and turns heads everywhere it goes. My only initial misgiving was the R-Tronic which had be given mixed reviews. Having driven boththe 6 speed and now my R-Tronic I can say that it comes down to personal preference. I actually enjoy processing the R-Tronic and find it very capable of satisfying me. No regrets here from this owner. Love the roomy interior, fantastic seats, and look and finish of the carbon fibre trim inside and out ( Blades too! ) Have friends with Italian exotics and would not trade this for any of them. This car is really special and my favorite of all!

• 

  Pick of the litter of the MK1 TTs - 2004 Audi TT
  By Carl W. Krause - November 25 - 4:05 pm

  This is my third TT of the MK1 series and is the best of the three in my opinion. The VR6 is a better engine than the 1.8 turbo. I have no timing belt woes to worry about, for example, because the cams are chain-driven.

• 

  My Choice over BMW 528ix, Infinity M35x - 2007 Audi A6
  By Mikeb100 - November 24 - 9:30 pm

  This is my 2nd certified used Audi A6, the 1st was an Avant that I kept until 185,000 miles and it still drove like new. This 2007 certified used Audi had 27,000 miles when I bought it and I havent had a single problem. All the power I can use and all I do is think about passing and the next thing I know Im past in absolute silence and total control. The brakes are amazing, but rather touchy and take some getting used to. I average 27 mpg and 32 on the highway doing 70-75. Nav is fast, accurate and easy, Bose radio rocks, steering and handling great. My speedometer is 3 mph fast and the front cupholders arent great - otherwise nothing compares for this 62" 220 pounder

• 

  Family Values - 2002 Audi S6
  By TJ - November 23 - 9:41 pm

  If you have children and passion for what you drive, this is the car for you. Those who cannot or will not work on your own vehicle, move along. Audi cars do require extra service attention, but the 2002 S6 Avant will reward you handsomely with luxury, performance, style, and comfort that no SUV or mini-van can or will.

• 

  Dream Drivetrain Finally Available - 2009 Audi A3
  By red bartlett - November 21 - 9:56 pm

  Ive had my eyes on this car since it first made it to the US for the 2006 model year, but was always frustrated by the lack of availability of the 2.0T with quattro. I was looking for a great car to downsize and go more fuel-efficient without having to sacrifice. When I found out that the 2.0T was going to be available with quattro for 2009, I placed an order in June and have had my car for 2 months now. Couldnt love it more. It is a blast to drive and makes you want to drive more. The engine is peppy and very refined for a 4-cylinder turbo. The handling is firm and sporty. The ride is remarkably composed for a small car and firmly planted. Oh, and it looks great inside and out.