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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  audi allroad - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By tomallen - March 11 - 10:00 am

  Bought one of first in area. Love the six speed as it turns the wagon in to a sports car. Excellent handling for such a big car. Of course, wish the mileage was better, but we have averaged 20.3 in 15000 miles, burning plus grade. Used off road with pumps cranked up. Handled rocks and ruts quite well. Second Audi, the first being a 1996 A4. Can not say enough about innovation and quality (how far Audi has come in just a few years!) Audi always has been innovative and now it has the quality to boot., and is one of best marques on road, including BMW and Mercedes.

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  Fun to drive. Poor to maintain. - 2008 Audi A3
  By Jay - February 20 - 8:59 pm

  We bought 2008 A3 in 2015 with only 27000 miles on it. It is FUN to drive! It feels like a race horse wishing to run! This thing is made for highway driving. Its ability to accelerate and maneuver is the best I have ever felt. That said, it is annoying to drive in city. The least little bit of pressure on accelerator causes it to jump, sometimes too far too fast! It is very uncomfortable / awkard to get in and out of, and I am an average size American guy (58, 200 lbs). The worst aspect is the inability to find qualified, reliable mechanics who are willing to work on the vehicle. I have owned Ford, Isuzu, Honda, and Toyotas. I never had an issue with find qualified mechanics with those brands. Here, it took awhile to find one outside of a dealership. Audi has a management software that few mechanics have access to, and I live in south Florida, not middle of nowhere Montana, North Dakota, etc.! Also, due to low profile, going over any railroad tracks or potholes can be annoying at best, or expensive at worst. We went over one, and fractured the radiator support, which needed to be replaced. I saw later that it was made completely of plastic! How cheap! A front-end structural support made of plastic, how cheap on Audi!

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  Unsafe at (Low) Speed? - 2005 Audi A4
  By Jack - February 18 - 9:36 pm

  Odo @ 9,730 mis. when I "subleased" car from friend, who reports repeat instances of exiting hiway where engine revs too high while attempting to decelerate. My 1st day with it became keenly aware of major safety issue: posts at 4 corners of the cabin are too WIDE. Impact on field of vision most pronounced at low speeds as it takes longer for blind spots to clear, esp. if object is moving in same direction as spot: while driving <6 mph in grocery lot (turning R after stop) I almost ran into LARGE pedestrian who, though I had looked R- L-R, was invisible until I was facing him, and when leaving almost tagged a woman and the baby stroller she was pushing!

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  Great car, but why a cassete player? - 2004 Audi A4
  By lfrancisconi - February 4 - 10:00 am

  Great car! I just wonder why they put a cassete player in this car. It does not make sense. It has been like 3 years Ive seen a cassete tape for the last time. If you have money to buy this car, having a cd should not be a problem. Audi should offer that as an optional for those that want a 2004 car with with a 1970 audio system. Overall great!

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  Practical Performance - 1999 Audi A4
  By Eric Hunter - February 4 - 9:30 am

  I had been a VW owner since 1982. I decided to move up to the Audi because of the All Wheel Drive. The car is solidly built. The engine is very smooth and powerfull. All weather handling is superb once you shed the stock rubber. The interior is a bit cozy for a six footer, but everything is within reach. Rear seat room is very tight. The trunk is cavernous for a car its size. I would recommend this car to anyone who needs to go anywhere fast in any weather.

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  NAVIGATION SUCKS EVEN MORE WITH USE - 2017 Audi Q7
  By Patrick OConnor - January 25 - 2:01 pm

  The navigation system is poor and confusing. You have to manually change state location even if have driven there. The electronic handbrake can be activated while car is in gear - very dangerous. Map/ Navigation systems poorly described. Manual describes all options, not what is available in that vehicle - very confusing. After 6 months, the confusion between map and navigation systems remains a major, stupid problem.

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  ricks review - 2002 Audi A4
  By ricky - January 23 - 6:03 am

  i recently purchased a 2002 1.8 T A4 quattro and the car is over all solid! transmission is smooth as silk and has semi comperable steering to 3 series BMW (with sports package). the only thing this car lacks it pick up 0 - 60 in 7.2 is a little week but the car is much less then other cars that can pull better acceleration times.. im sure the 3.0 can hold its own though. but ihavent driven it yet.

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  A Stylish Rocket! - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Mr Fussy! - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Have had the allroad about 4 months now. So far so good! Great styling, performance, handling and stopping power. Suspension a bit bouncy on rough surfaces, but manageable. Seems to be built like a Swiss watch, fit and finish is outstanding. Anxious to see how it does in snow (live in Colorado). A real blast to drive in the mountains, it really flies up the passes. Suspect it will not do as well in snow as my Subaru Outback, however, tires on Audi are very wide. Turbo lag a definite annoyance.

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  3.0 quattro 2005 A4 - 2005 Audi A4
  By mjrupkp - January 12 - 10:00 am

  LOVE this car! traded in sebring chrysler convertible that i "thought" I loved. NO COMPARISON!

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  Great Car - 2006 Audi A4
  By Mike - December 30 - 5:36 am

  This car is very fun to drive. It handles well. Great interior/exterior fit and finish. Seats are firm and comfortable. Controls and instruments are easy to read and user friendly. Performance is a bit unresponsive when first starting up from a stop while in Drive.