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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  Fun to drive, electronics are a hassle - 2015 Audi Q5
  By Linda L Ross - March 14 - 4:44 pm

  This turbo SUV is a blast to drive. The leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter feel expensive. Does great in the snow with factory tires. Backup camera peeps when in Reverse if there is something in front of the car (so not helpful). Too many clicks to do simple things like change the radio station or climate control. Overly complicated electronics (I came from a Lexus RX). Put this engine in a Lexus and I would go back in a heartbeat.

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  Wonderful car but no Homelink - 2015 Audi Q3
  By dwightd - February 28 - 10:55 am

  We bought this car and love it. Great traction in the snow and quite happy with it. However their is no Homelink so if you want to sync it with your garage door it does not exist. How many high end cars dont have this option? We hear the company might retro fit this into the car. We will see and if they do it for cars already purchased.

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  Love my red a4 3.0 quattro - 2002 Audi A4
  By Andy Wessels - February 25 - 11:39 am

  Great car, super fun to drive. Plenty of torque at normal rpm range and lots of grip around the corners! Front seats are plush and comfy although rear seating is tight. Car is equipped with power everything mirrors, sunfoof, windows, seats, etc... This cars grip, power, and planted feel blew my mind when I first test drove it. Before i had a 2001 passat 2.8, and this thing just runs circles around that. Great car that i would recommend.

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  Awesome First Car - 2005 Audi A6
  By jvcbone919 - February 21 - 12:54 pm

  My father and I went a purchases this car at an auction. The car has been very great to me, we bought it in August 2014 with 130k miles. Ive been in a car accident with it in which I rearended a much larger vehicle at 45 MPH. Luckily I was super safe and I just had to replace the front bumper. The car has about 145k miles on it currently and it just seems to be falling apart. Plastic pieces in the exterior, the window regulator not working correctly and some oil leaking. It has been a very nice car and I am looking for a newer mode with less miles because I feel so safe in it. Also last note the quattro all wheel drive is amazing, you never feel like you dont have traction

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  lemon - 2009 Audi Q7
  By q7lemon - February 16 - 5:02 pm

  From the start of this new car i did everything audi, maintenance, repairs, parts. After 95,000 it star to ed falling apart. Not counting maintenance, brakes every 15000, tires every 25,000, i just spent $7800 on parts and labor. A car should last a bit longer then 100000 miles.

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  2015 s4 Stronic what a kick! - 2015 Audi S4
  By jygesq - February 5 - 10:10 am

  this car is fast, THIS CAR IS FAST, this car is fun!! The S tronic tranny makes this car a pleasure to drive.Acts like a MT without all the hassle.You can stay is D mode for all a round economy or pull down gear shift to go into S mode. In S the shift points are raised . You can also make car settings for steering, engine sounds, power, sport differential through MIMI.It can be reasonably tame or like a muscle car in disguise. The sport differential cost an additional $1100 ORDER it . It significantly changes for the better the way the car handles, and you can program it for different driving situations. Amazing sleeper car. Down side,the plastic trim on window frames scratches easily.

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  Incessant Brake Squealing - 2014 Audi A6
  By northatlcars - February 5 - 8:09 am

  I have admired Audis light and interior design for sometime. In May of 2014, I made the move from an MB to a 14 A6 TDI Prestige. I absolutely love the look of the car especially with the LEDs and black out package. The power is great and fuel economy is nothing short of impressive. My biggest complaint is the horribly incessant brake squeal. At 9200 miles I have already had the car in 3 times for this repair. First it was brake dust and I need to slam on the ABS to clear it. Seriously on $65k "German Engineered" car? The next time it was we scored the pads and added no squeal. When I dropped it off this time I said I dont want it back until its fixed.

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  Pocket Rocket - 2015 Audi S3
  By ssincl3 - January 30 - 1:05 am

  I really love this car! Gorgeous looking inside and out. Probably my biggest impulse buy of all time. I wanted a Golf R but didnt want to wait much longer. Got the Sepang Blue and everyone falls in love with the color. It has all the options included, makes me nervous to see it practically drive itself. Of course the downsides. I really wish it had a manual trans. My drive gets boring real quick with the DSG. Ill change as soon as one comes available. $50k car in 2015 with no Homelink, memory seats, data USB, boggles me. Interior storage also sucks. Glove box is a joke! All the items fall out when you open it. This message is for Audi but I DO encourage anyone to buy it. Its awesome!!

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  A4 1.8T Quatro - 1999 Audi A4
  By giventi - January 27 - 8:20 pm

  One of the most expensive car to maintain. It will eat your wallet. If you know how to work on this car go for it. It drives very solid and safe. AWD great on snow but when you have more than 6-7 inches of snow you are in trouble. Very low clearance. Almost every Audi made around that time have problem with cluster panel. Air bag light on. has bunch of very expensive sensors. If all the maintenance done regularly it is OK to buy one of them. Otherwise even if you get it for free prepare yourself for $3 to 4 thousands of repairs in couple years. Engine mount and tranmsn mnt collapsed at 110K mls. That shakes rear axle like hell. Front end have so many parts to replace. FORGET ABOUT IT!!!!!!!

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  I love my Audi TT - 2001 Audi TT
  By sydthekid - January 24 - 11:05 am

  Im very surprised by most of these reviews. Ive owned mine since 2008 and it was my very first car with 93,000 miles on it. Paid 11,000 for it. Its now at 174,000. Over the course of 7 years Ive replaced the computer, water pump, all hoses, all belts, 1 ball joint and a great deal of the rear suspension. Most of these things I replaced just to do it. The water pump did fail and Ive had many issues with the rear suspension. Over all this car has ran great for me and has been very reliable over all these years. I plan on driving this car until the motor blows up.