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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  Great Choice - Go with the 2.0 - 2015 Audi A6
  By magiann - April 17 - 11:01 am

  This was my first Audi and so far, for the most part, its been great. I opted to go with the 2.0 over the 3.0 and I dont regret that decision in the least. As the other reviews state, it gives you more than enough power. It doesnt have the same "sound" of the 3.0, but trust me, the zip is there. Plus, the gas mileage is much better. The interior has a few quirks, but the materials are top notch. One thing to note - the breaks squeak in cold weather. Audi is aware of the problem and has no fix for it. By cold weather, I mean below 20 degrees. For a luxury car, I find this rather annoying.

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  Audis "Baby S" is a sweet little gem! - 2015 Audi S3
  By Peter Baek - April 8 - 10:56 pm

  I recently traded in my 14 Audi A6 Prestige (which was a great car) for a 15 S3 Prestige. There is certainly no doubt the S3 is a heck of a lot more fun to drive! Power delivery is excellent...although there is a small bit of turbo lag (esp. in regular "D" mode). I think a 7-sp DSG (like in the S4) wouldve been better. Grip is outstanding and the car handles like its on rails. Braking is outstanding as well. I didnt get the 19" wheel and performance package because I live in Chicago where the road quality can be hell. Some of the cons for me are the lack of storage spaces (for sunglasses, etc), no memory seat settings, no built-in garage door opener, and no heated steering wheel.

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  My favorite Audi yet - 2015 Audi A3
  By tlutzy - April 4 - 7:41 am

  I am a fan of Audis because of their design (elegant and innovative), quality (fit and finish) and general reliability (I have not experienced some of the problems with Audis that other owners have). The 2015 A3 is my eighth Audi and fast becoming my favorite. While I had to get the prestige and sport packages to have the car equipped the way I wanted it ($$$) it is well worth it. I love the styling, minimalist interior (think uncluttered but functional), intuitive MMI with handwriting recognition, and power (think fun to drive, agile and fast).

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  Looks good but constant minor issues - 2009 Audi A3
  By seattle1984 - March 31 - 5:49 pm

  My 2009 Audi A3 driver side door does not work with the fob. The other doors work fine. The shop says the door lock actuator needs to be replaced total cost $750! The low oil light keeps on popping up. I have not gotten an estimate and will wait until my 105k maintenance. The car looks and drives well. Also, the MPG is pretty good even on Premium gas. However my old and ancient Camry seems to have less constant minor issues.

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  It Makes Me Smile - 2012 Audi Q5
  By optionsf - March 31 - 1:14 am

  I have shopped for an SUV for three years, awaiting the Jeep Cherokee, then opting for the AWD Nissan Rogue. When I couldnt get the color and version I wanted on time, I found a 2012 Q5 very lightly used for the same price as these new cars...only12k miles. Today I took it on the infamous run to costco and found myself smiling...when the back gate opens automatically, when I stashed the wine bottles in the compartment under the rug, when I got in and turned on the Bang & Olufsen upgraded sound, and when the turbo kicked in and I shot past another car uphill. The build quality is excellent and this 3 yr old feels tight and solid. After my last Nissan Murano, it feels like a sports car

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  First week of my new love - 2015 Audi S4
  By carguy211 - March 28 - 9:20 am

  Now I have to say I am a car guy and like fast sporty cars. Did a bunch of research in my price range and lean more towards sport that comfort. Traded in a 2009 G37 that I had really liked but I am already in love and over that. This is my first German car and after looking at dealer inventory and not seeing exact features I wanted I looked at it and ordered it from factory my way. I couldnt be happier with the way my exterior, interior and sport options turned out. This car rocks literally with Bang Olfsun and rides like its on rails. The acceleration and drive handling are superb and its just fun to drive. I keep it in dynamic mode because its responsive and fast. Awesome car.

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  2nd owner of this wonderful vehicle - 2006 Audi A4
  By Jan Chambers - March 24 - 9:59 am

  I bought this car with 45K miles on it as a 2nd home car for Arizona. I had an A4 convertible in NJ, a 2007, and loved it. I love this car too. Great pickup and go, been a great car (now with 67K miles on it). Car looks almost new as I get it detailed inside and out every year in AZ. The only problem are the cloudy headlights which Id like to get remedied.

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  Love the TDI, Skip the MMI package - 2014 Audi Q5
  By p_auyeung - March 20 - 1:44 am

  Fun car to drive. The diesel engine is amazing, especially on long journeys. The acceleration is fantastic, very good for road trips as well as battling the everyday commute. The MMI is total crap. Voice recognition doesnt recognize much, and the navigation takes far too long to start up. Ive given up using it. The stereo system is a bit on the quiet side, even with the B&O package.

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  Horrible Service - 2015 Audi A3
  By rickykim714 - March 18 - 3:09 am

  Bought a 2015 Audi A3 a little over a month ago. Great car, but having problems with the navigation MMI already. Tells me that the car is somewhere I am not, and doesnt catch the speed traps which all other Audis do here in Korea. Took it to AUDI KOREA service center twice and they cant figure it out. Basically told me I am out of luck. This is of course AFTER taking my car our for a 44 km joy ride and unplugging the black box so there would be no evidence (expect for my empty gas tank). I just hope Audi Headquarters finds a solution to fix the MMI because the AUDI KOREA dealership and service center are incompetent and horrible. Please hire employees that know how to fix their own produc

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  1st time Audi Owner/Love the TDI - 2015 Audi A3
  By dann902 - March 14 - 8:07 pm

  My last 2 vehicles have been BMWs. I was open to other German automakers and very interested in a diesel vehicle because of the fuel economy. I was also looking at the 15 328d, but ended up with the A3 as it was more affordable (also smaller). My last vehicle was a V8 550i with very poor gas mileage. Now with my new A3 TDI I am getting 45-48 mpg on my commute to work. The interior is very simple but elegant and uses high quality materials. I got the sport package and the sport seats are very comfortable. I am very happy with my purchase because I accompanied my goal of finding a vehicle that is very practical, fuel efficient, a luxury brand, and not too expensive. I highly recommend the A3