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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  Nice car but get extended warranty - 2005 Audi A4
  By peaceandloveca - August 31 - 12:48 am

  I have a 2005 Audi A4 Convertible 3.0. I LOVE MY CAR! The only thing is that when you have issues, its EXPENSIVE! I bought my Audi with 60K miles on it in 2008. Yes, quite a bit of miles on it already, but it looked brand new. I paid $23K out which incl a 4 year/100K mi warranty. I had to replace the transmission computer but that was covered under Audi warranty (just for CA I was told). No coverage - looking at almost $2K! There are too many electrical "gadgets" on this car NOT to have an extended warranty unless you buy new. Other then a blown fuse that controlled the top and trunk (only $2.99 for a pack of fuses) and the start of a coolant leak (yikes) no issues. I currently have 77K mi.

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  A3 Tire noise - 2006 Audi A3
  By Irv - August 30 - 12:47 pm

  I love the car, however, at 7500 miles I complained about tire noise. The dealers response was to replace the tires. I felt that this answer was inadequate. Am I supposed to replace my tires every 7500 miles? Audi obviously knows about the problem on the A3 but refuses to do anything about it. This has soured me on the car. I will never buy another Audi.

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  Fabulous car! - 2001 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By jonfin - August 29 - 2:00 am

  This is one amazing automobile! It is fun to drive, corners as well as our Mercedes but has many more creature comforts. Even with a bit of turbo lag time, this car can beat anyone out of a stop signal. On a highway, the ride is peppy, and very comfortable. The car is a rocket going up a steep hill. Its just a kick to drive!

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  Wickys - 2004 Audi A4
  By Wicky_A4 - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Great car. This is my first Audi and I love it. I am already planning to which Audi I will buy next.

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  Awesome, almost perfect, Audi - 2009 Audi Q5
  By Elle - August 28 - 9:13 pm

  This car looks and handles great. It is fun to drive, has plenty of cargo space, and has a great sound system. I came from a Mercedes with every bell and whistle imaginable and with this car, dont miss it. I agree that the side mirrors are too big and take getting used to. I do also agree the the shifting of the gears when breaking can be a little jerky- I may just need to get used to it.

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  Simply well done - 2008 Audi A3
  By phaetonboi - August 28 - 5:24 pm

  It was at the Atlanta Auto Show that I fell in love with the Audi A3. My current car due end of its lease was a 2006 VW Touareg. A wonderful SUV yet it was not something I would ever get again unless diesel was offered. Simply put, small engine pulling around a heavy car. Out of all the cars I saw that day, I decided the A3 was the one. Next day I leased a metallic grey pearl, open sky, premium package, and s-tronic automatic. The 2.0 engine, I believe, coupled with a flawless DSG will allow this car to drive well beyond 100,000 miles. The Open Sky, while novel, and great if rear passengers are present, is very hot in the summer.

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  Safe & Solid - 2006 Audi A4
  By audilover - August 28 - 3:51 pm

  Well balanced road manners. The quattro system is amazing in the snow. Very stable on wet roadways. Full size spare tire is a plus. Very comfortable seats. Heating and a/c controls are too complicated. Fit and finish inside and out is of a very high quality. My A4 came with every available option. I have put 98,000 miles on it since I purchased new in 04/2006. Maintenance can be expensive. I get 30mpg average city/highway. Have gotten 36mpg on a long trip. Adaptive xenon headlights are ok but kind of gimmicky. Had to have them replaced under warranty. Timing belt requires replacement at 110,000 miles. I just had mine done at 90,000miles. Cost was $1,600.

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  Highly recommend - 2017 Audi Q5
  By T Rubio - August 28 - 1:00 pm

  We owned 2016 Q5. After only a few months we were in a serious accident & it was totaled. Safety features became obvious & we bought another one. 2017.

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  Great Choice - 2009 Audi A6
  By NewAudiFan - August 28 - 12:44 am

  After years of rotten service from Mercedes, I switched to Audi and I am thrilled. Superior quality, supercharged engine that really takes off and the large sedan handles like small sports car. I have owned 2 Mercedes, a Porsche and a Lexus and this is the best by far. Im looking forward to Seattles rain and snow!

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  Best In Its Class - 2009 Audi Q5
  By Bignewf - August 27 - 1:40 pm

  I traded in my 2004 VW Touareg V8 with 125,000 miles. I love this new car. It drives like a dream, a sports car feel with the high ride of an SUV. The interior is simply elegant (I got the Cinnamon brown leather and deep blue exterior), premium plus with Navigation and 19inch wheels. My closest choice was the Volvo XC60, which is also a great car, but the MMI system on the Audi is just, well, cool. The volvos nav feels very old school and clunky. My only criticism of this car is that when the back seats fold down, there is a gap across the cargo area that a dogs feet could get caught in. Also, the MMI phone system is a dial rather than buttons and plugging in for voicemail is a pain.