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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  ALLROAD Built for the road - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By mhebert - July 6 - 10:00 am

  I traded my BMW X5 for my Allroad, and I enjoy driving my Audi more. It has better road feel and the acceleration is comparable. I just finished a 1400 mi. road trip over 5 states, mountain passes, under many different road conditions, and I can report that there are very few autos that can match the performance, comfort, and utility of the Audi Allroad. It is one of the best cars I have ever owned!

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  One Bad (Awesome) Audi - 2001 Audi A6
  By grahamj3 - July 6 - 2:03 am

  I love my car. I have owned 50 cars in the last 10 years (everything from a 5-series Bimmer to an Expedition) and this is by far ny favorite. It has style, speed, and AWD.

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  Replaced Brakes & Tires @ 18K - 2007 Audi Q7
  By JPE - July 5 - 9:32 pm

  I just spent almost $2000 to replace the brakes & rotors and the tires on my Audi Q7, which is only two years old and has only 18,000 miles on it. I called the Audi dealership, and they said I must "drive the car hard." They also said they see plenty of Q7s that need brake replacements at 18K. Im a middle aged housewife--not a teenage speed racer who slams on the brakes Im more like Driving Miss Daisy. After reading many reviews, I have found out that many other owners have had to do the same "routine maintenance" during the course of their leases. Unfortunately, the $500 maintenance package that I bought when the lease started only covers oil changes. Luxury Jiffy Lube.

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  Love this Car - 2009 Audi Q5
  By GreatCar - July 5 - 8:56 pm

  This is my first Audi and my first cross-over vehicle and I am thoroughly impressed with this car. Looked at a lot of different cars and nothing seemed to have everything I wanted until I drove the Audi. Very good power for a V6, handles well and has a very smooth ride. Great interior, good cargo space and the sunroof is fantastic. Ive owned 2 Acuras, a 325 and 525 BMW and a Mercedes (which Ill never buy again), and this car meets and/or exceeds those. Better value for the $$ than the comparable X3 or X5 or Lexus or Mercedes. Better features than the Acura RDX. Really happy with the purchase and I highly recommend the Q5 for anyone looking in this class of cars.

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  Q5 3.2 v6 - 2009 Audi Q5
  By vp - July 4 - 2:44 pm

  I just bought 2 days ago. Engine is smooth on acceleration. A family of 4 can comfortably seat. I am having a blast. I love it.

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  My first and last Audi - 1998 Audi A4
  By Once A Mistake - July 4 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Audi new in 1998 after comparing it to the BMW. To me, the Audi "felt" like a more sturdy car. Needless to say, my Audi has been anything but sturdy. A design flaw keeps the front-end of my car flapping in the wind most of the time. My salesman has never seen or heard of this problem. The service people see it all the time. I pay to have it fixed - at least twice a year. Friends laugh when I get out of my car and pound my bumper back on with my hand. A new warning indicator lights up every other month. Audis response? $$$Ca-ching... I paid my car off 6 months ago. Now my monthly payment goes to repairs.

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  Cannot go wrong with A4 - 2002 Audi A4
  By art55 - July 4 - 10:00 am

  Practical, comfortable and safe sports sedan. This is my second Audi, and I am definitely "hooked" on the brand. Strongly recommend for consideration if you are looking for entry level luxury sedan.

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  Sweet machine - 2009 Audi A4
  By radman21 - July 3 - 2:43 pm

  This is my third A4 in four years, passing them on to the kids or trade in on lease. The 2009 Prestige is one sweet machine. Better performance than than older (2006 and 2007 A4) with more torque and horsepower with highway mileage 33 mpg level road at 65-75. Also looked at BMW with AWD but run flats and many thousands more $ just not worth the difference, (and I have had BMW 3 series in the past). Great cruiser at 90 mph and around town. It is bigger than older A4, as big as I can tolerate. $37900 with 0.9% and 1 k down a great deal, than 4200 off MSRP, I will buy it rather than lease.

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  Bull in Sheeps Clothing - 2009 Audi Q5
  By lumumba - July 3 - 1:52 am

  With Audi drive select you can change its driving properties quite nicely. With the ADS and the S Line tires and wheels (Michelin Latitude Sport). It will stick with the best of them. Comfort setting for potholes works well. Prestige package is worth it. Pricey, but a very nice ride!

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  Loved it--but too many problems - 2001 Audi A4
  By Loved it - July 2 - 1:26 am

  Traded my mom an IS300 for it in 9/04 w/ 24k. I just sold it w/ 97k on it. Steering feel & accuracy was great, superb handling & brakes, great road feel & heavy weight. I had a manual trans and sport pkg so it was a blast to drive. Felt expensive & used great materials/assembly. But always in the shop, I had 21 repairs in the 4.5 years I drove it & it needed another 3 repairs (2 of which I previously replaced). Every year the ignition coils needed to be replaced & the engine "sludged" up (repaired under warranty). Lots of road noise and wind rush. Lots of features and thoughtful touches throughout. Great MPG. Uber expensive to fix and maintain (and Im not cheap either).