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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  Buy something else - 2015 Audi A3
  By awdadict - May 20 - 6:17 am

  Nice little car with decent performance, however, the transmission required replacement after 9300 miles and 8 months of ownership. Manufacturing defect or not, this is an unacceptably low level of quality. I traded the car in on a different brand of vehicle immediately after the transmission was replaced. At least the repair was covered under warranty. Also, the mixed city/highway gas mileage is overrated. I consistently got near the bottom of the range, without hammering on the accelerator all the time. I got good mileage on long trips, though.

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  I love it, but I hate it too. - 2004 Audi A4
  By lagdh - May 16 - 3:00 pm

  This car is fantastic... When it works. For all the two years Ive had it, I dont think it has worked properly for more than two months of that time. Theres always some problem which is hard to diagnose, the problem which then ends up being expensive. This is not to say that it isnt a great car, it certainly is. The Quattro AWD is spectacular in the snow and sticks to the road in summer as well. Performance needs improvement though --- Theres very little low-end torque, and there just needs to be more horsepower to propel this 3,500 pound car. Overall Id say dont get this car over 100,000 miles, itll just frustrate

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  How Ended Up with the Audi S3 - 2015 Audi S3
  By cheetah77 - May 12 - 6:47 pm

  I did not set out to buy an Audi & I dont care about having a "prestige brand"...in fact Id prefer not to have it. However we needed AWD, fast (300ish hp), high quality, cargo space, fun, cool looking, DSG type auto transmission car. Audi is the only one building that and its the S3. Considered S4 but MPG too low Golf R has too little cargo room but nice car. S3 combines amazing refinement, quiet ride, taut but comfortable euro sedan ride, throaty exhaust when punched, great looks, good MPG, driver assistance that can be shut off, & much more. The 2015 S3 is dual personality and you decide which one you want: rip roaring sports car or a easy driving luxurious touring sedan. Amazing.

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  Better than 2015 Golf TSI, Worse than 1997 Golf - 2007 Audi A3
  By mnedolt - May 4 - 10:43 pm

  Bought a used one that had 100 K. Owned for 3 days and I am impressed. First I regretted of having bought such a small car (low ceiling) but, the rear seats are actually roomier than many other compact cars. Price was about half of the cheaper new compact cars, so I am saving quite a lot. Perhaps I will end up using up all these savings repairing this car. But, the car is so lovely that I dont mind doing that.

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  Great car, except for the lemon thermostat. - 2011 Audi S4
  By audis - May 4 - 8:30 pm

  Beware: The thermostat in the 2011 Audi S4 is a very well documented faulty part. Google it. Audi finally agreed to cover 10% of the $1200 repair as I was slightly over the 50K mile warranty. If youre okay with that, buy one. Its a great looking fun car.

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  Truth in Mpg 44.2 - 2015 Audi A3
  By dilbert1463 - May 1 - 8:12 pm

  With a 100 mile a day commute I need safety, mpg, comfort, and highway manners. The A3 is a top safety pick plus. The TDI is delivering 49 mpg on the highway. At 61" it fits and feels great, just dont sit behind me. On the highway the 236 torque is there to merge pass and keep up without screaming downshifts.

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  The worst fuel consumption by far for similar cars - 2015 Audi Q3
  By danidin - April 28 - 7:15 pm

  I Had the 2015 Q3 premium for 6 months now and so far I realy dont like it ... I had a VW 2012 tiguan Previous to this car and I miss it very much !!! The car was in 3 different audi service to confirm My Audi Q3 2015 only does 17MPG Test was done by realy life scenario Confirmed by Audi america ! I Can provide formal documentation

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  Truth in Egineering? - 2015 Audi A3
  By RS Yasuoka - April 27 - 6:10 pm

  Unbelievable but the transmission had to be replaced. Car was not even driven off the dealer for a week. I had picked up the car on Sunday, driven it to work for a week and tooling around on Saturday when I notice the engine light came on followed shortly by a yellow warning message that the cars reverse gear may not be working but the car was considered drivable? Say what? I realized the car would not move past 3rd gear and started a high pitch whine in the transmission. Short story, the car was placed on a flatbed tow truck (Quattro) and take back to the dealer. Monday afternoon I was told car needed new transmission and that it had to be shipped in.

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  Puts a smile on your face every time you drive it - 2001 Audi S4
  By stefanv - April 18 - 6:32 pm

  I bought this car about 7 months ago and I have loved every minute of it. The car sticks to the road around turns and has that awesome acceleration! It is so responsive that it feels almost like a go kart. A lot of people talk about how expensive the repairs are on this car, which is true. My oil pan cracked about a month ago. The dealership charged about $1,000 to replace the oil pan, and replace the cam shaft tensioner valves. I am a car enthusiast, so in my eyes this car is worth the extra money for repairs. As some say you have to pay to play!

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  Highly recommended - 2006 Audi A4
  By jasonppn - April 17 - 5:56 pm

  Many people complain about expensive maintenance. If you are like me and do your own maintenance, there is very little you have to do or pay. I have an OBD II computer that I use whenever the check engine light comes on (not often). I bought it with 55,000 miles on it, it now has 87,000. Ive had to replace a coil pack (easy fix, $37 and 1 hour of my own labor), divertor valve ($150, 2 hours labor), and that is all. To change your oil, it is handy if you have the Audi tool ($100) for cartridge style oil filters (youll have a mess if you dont), but you can make your own pretty easily out of a hose and the right diameter bottle. The car drives absolutely beautifully, couldnt be happier.