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:

• 

  Audi Delight - 1994 Audi Cabriolet
  By James Speer - August 7 - 5:25 pm

  As third owner with 108k this vehicle has really impressed me. Vvery soild and responsive handling. Had it up to 150 kilometers an hour. No vibrations and quiet with top down. Vehicle was painted last year and every nec part was taken off, no rust anywhere. Replaced back window, would be great if it were glass. Original top is excellent. Will park this baby for the winter.

• 

  High tech sedan - 2002 Audi A6
  By High performance sed - August 6 - 10:20 pm

  I use mainly for highway. I replaced air filter with K&N and new irridium plugs. I now get 26 to 28 mpg depending on whether I go 80 or 60 mph. I have had no problems and this car is built by the same people that make Porsche so everything is high performance, even the brake fluid. Thus more maintainance. It costs to go fast. I recently test drove a Mercedes S430 and as soon as I got back in my A6 4.2 it was far superior in road feel and handling. This is a double overhead cam V8 with 5 valves per cylinder. Ferrari is the only other car company with this sofistication. So if you want a mundane sedan this is not for you. This car is a race bred sedan down to the low profile tires.

• 

  Pleased Overall - 2008 Audi A4
  By SF - August 5 - 6:50 pm

  Really pleased with my lease of this car after one year. Only one issue with a brake light sensor after 1 year of ownership and the dealer fixed it right away. Highway mileage is fantastic, but pure city driving gives poorer than I hoped. But overall, power and handling are the best! This is the funnest car Ive ever driven. Trunk space the best of all convertibles I tested.

• 

  This car rocks - 2008 Audi A5
  By Kenneth Durocher - August 5 - 6:13 pm

  This car is the best handeling car I have ever had the pleasure to drive. I purchased an A5 not the S5 after I had driven both. I could not justify the price difference. I ordered it with the s line package and could not be more pleased. This car is rock solid and handles great. Highly recomend taking a test drive.

• 

  Sports car station wagon - 2000 Audi TT
  By Rich - August 4 - 11:53 am

  This car continues to be fun to drive, even after eight years of ownership, the longest I have ever owned one vehicle. What I love most is that for me, it is the perfect compromise between sports car performance and practicality. I have driven it at Sears Point, the most fun I have ever had in two days. I would highly recommend attending track events with your Audi, it was a total blast. On the practical side, I love the outdoors and can stuff camping gear, and a foldable 14 foot kayak in the back (with the seats folded down) and still have sports car performance on the way. There isnt another coupe with this versatility on the market.

• 

  Highly Recommended! - 2008 Audi TT
  By ABG - August 3 - 9:26 pm

  This is a nice little car. Convenient as the size allows easy parking everywhere. Gas mileage is acceptable, not as good as the 2.0 version. Interior is outstanding (enhanced leather interior), the rear seats work well with my 2 children (ages 9 and 6) for short rides. The suspension feels a little harsh (I dont have magnetic suspension), which might be a deal breaker for some. However, no car is perfect and this one is not the exception.

• 

  Sports Car plus - 2008 Audi A3
  By philsoc8 - August 3 - 8:50 pm

  I wanted a sports coupe, but couldnt live without a backseat and some cargo space. The A3 completely fits the bill. Great engine amazing transmission handles like its on rails. Small size makes it tossable and zoom with an efficient engine, but the A3s real secret weapon is the practical space. Audi doesnt want you to know this, but the back seat in the A3 is bigger than that in the A4. My kids love it! True, it is not a bargain, if you price things on a per-inch basis, but if you value things because of how good they are, not just how big, you will love this car.

• 

  Fun to drive luxury - 2008 Audi A8
  By Harbormaster - August 3 - 4:21 pm

  This is my 3rd A8 and by far the best. They have all been agile, manuverable cars but this seems to have that little extra "punch" that makes it better. The navigation system along with all the elaborate computer driven choices for comfort, etc. is the most user friendly of any of the luxury cars today. The car delivers 26-27 mpg at a steady 70 mph and I average about 18 in the city. Ive had this A8 just 4 months so far and have not been back to the dealer except for the first 5000 mile service. Im a happy camper.

• 

  Car is too popular - 2006 Audi A3
  By Dug - July 31 - 1:13 am

  I purchased a brilliant red with DSG, Sport, Convenience, Cold Weather, Stereo and Xenon packages. These cars drive like they are on a track. It is great to have a car that drives really well, gets good mileage and you can fit equipment into and onto. DSG shifting is a real piece of technological achievement. Interior is perfect for my family of three plus our dog.

• 

  great car - 2006 Audi A4
  By mikeinmemphis - July 28 - 3:20 am

  I have an 06 S-line quattro six speed. Great car. Quick, agile, weather-proof. Exquisite interior. The only thing that wold have made it THE perfect car is maybe a 6 cyl. instead of the turbo 4. An Avant would also be a great alternative to a gas- guzzling SUV. A fantastic car with few compromises. I saw a S-line with the new graphite package and it is absolutely a killer looking ride.