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:

• 

  full of tech - 2017 Audi Q7
  By spud - April 29 - 10:48 pm

  a very nice car, perhaps a little overwhelming in the technology it offers. Drives well, smooth low speed manners, very nice handling (within the limits of a short test drive). Feels like a hell of a lot of vehicle, though I would be somewhat concerned about maintenance costs when out of warranty - theres a hell of a lot of mechanical and electrical equipment in the car.

• 

  Can be improved... but still great overall - 2017 Audi Q7
  By JL - April 26 - 4:29 am

  Recently made a switch from 13 BMW X5 50i to a 17 Q7 Prem Plus. Great car with lots of updates in tech and safety. Comfortable and quiet. While the engine has the punch in dynamic mode, it lacks in auto mode due to the tranny not shifting when needed. Going up a hill or trying to pass a vehicle requires a brick foot. Granted, I came from a turbo-charged V8 but expected more from the tranny which probably would make up the difference. The auto-start/stop isnt great when stopping - as if I am slamming on the brake b/c the engine shuts off before the car comes to a complete stop. The middle-rear seat cushion does not appear to be fixed in place as it shifts slightly - probably bringing it in to have it checked out. The tire jack tools have no where to be stored and sits in the trunk. One would think a small storage compartment can be built in somewhere for it. As some others have mentioned, when the phone is plugged in to USB for Carplay, you can no longer use the blue tooth function and have to go through the Carplay menu to make calls. I have not been able to hit the manufacturers gas mileage of 19 city/25 highway/21 combined. So far locally I am getting 15 mpg or less and 20 mpg on highways. This is less than my V8 X5 which was consistent 17/21 mpg. For the pros, lighting for the vehicle is great inside and out. Drive is very smooth and quiet; curious to see if that changes when the run-flats are worn in. It would seem Ive been more critical than happy so far... I am just starting to get comfortable with the changes and hopefully it will get better over time. Overall, I am happy with the vehicle. Lets hope it is reliable and will last and retain good re-sale value.

• 

  Extended warantee? - 1998 Audi Cabriolet
  By dbalch - April 22 - 2:00 am

  Fun car when the top will go down (all the way) & when it isnt in the shop.

• 

  Audi at its Finest - 2017 Audi Q7
  By T Wigglesworth - April 20 - 5:06 am

  This is the first Audi weve owed and love it! We’ve been loyal fans of Mercedes and Range Rovers over the past few years and were looking for a 7 passenger vehicle as our kids are in various sporting activities. We are only a month in and really impressed with the gas mileage. Spacious vehicle, comfortable ride and handles the road well. I will admit I do like the body style of the older versions as I like to sit up a little higher similar to an SUV, but so far, no other complaints.

• 

  ENTER YOUR OWN RISK!!! - 1996 Audi A4
  By Laz - April 14 - 2:00 am

  Never think of buying a 96 Audi A4.I have spent 10K for repairs of this car until now.Thanks God mostly paid off by extended warranty(feel sorry about them).Transmission/clutch very poor (replaced-still uncomfortable)Tie rod ends replaced and many other mechanical problems occured.Just the biggest pain I ever had in my entire life.

• 

  A4 IS ONLY GOOD FOR 80,000 MILES - 1997 Audi A4
  By JOJO - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Ill never buy one again!! 0 - 80000 miles the A4 ran perfectly. On its 80000m birthday huge problems. Major oil leak hear, broken gasket there, usual timing belt replacement, cracked heating pipe under there, electric switch on transm failure, etc., etc., etc. In a 3 month period, I averaged close to $3k in car repairs and it has never run the same. Dont plan on keeping the A4 for longer than 5 years, unless you want it in the shop for 4 weeks each year while the dealer complains it cannot get parts from Germany or back East. Goodbye Audi, hello Infinity, Lexis, Honda.

• 

  Smooth but not powerful - 1998 Audi A6
  By Jake C. - April 9 - 2:00 am

  So far the car has been very reliable. I enjoy the smoooth ride but it could use a little more power. Bose sound system is great! Large trunk.

• 

  Not a bad car - 1996 Audi A4
  By dro - April 9 - 2:00 am

  The overall has and still is very dependable. There have been no costly or major defects in the 6 years I have had the car.

• 

  Wonderful Blend of Performance and Lux. - 2002 Audi A6
  By lliaw - April 7 - 3:00 am

  The 2.7 Turbo is amazing with strong boost coming from way down in the rpm. It is so smooth that I had to constantly look down at the speedometer to prevent speeding tickets. The only complaints I have about the engine is that the sound is a bit mute and lacking a bit of excitement for me while some other might consider it refined. The throttle respond is also a bit strange. Its nice to have 6 gears with sporty handling in a car as large as this. I regret not ordering it without the inexpensive sport package which include sport seats, wheels, steering wheels, and suspension. The standard leather seats are too wide so I tend to slide around during corning.

• 

  Almost perfect.... - 2002 Audi A6
  By Arrt - April 5 - 2:00 am

  Excellent value, smooth ride and well appointed interior. Luxurious in an understated way.