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:

• 

  should have dumped my bmw long ago - 2006 Audi A3
  By Dick - March 18 - 11:06 am

  After driving a BMW 3 series for 4 years and believing it was the only car to drive, what a breath of fresh air. I have discovered that thru brain washing of myself that there is a far better alternative regardless of how the magazines continue to rate the bmw. The little A3 out performs handle and is by far more fun to drive, and equipping the Bmw with the options I have on the Audi.....I save about $9,000. This truly is a great automobile.

• 

  3 Audis in 2 months...This is the best! - 2008 Audi A6
  By K.Anderson - March 18 - 9:59 am

  I have a fully loaded Q7 and love it for its size and looks. But my husband has wanted another Audi so we went out and got a fully loaded A6. Could not be happier with it. After being pleased with Audi we went out and got another one a R8 for the power. But out of all of the cars we like the A6 the best for its looks and power and all the stuff you can get on it. Such as Keyless go (we payed extra to get that installed) Navigation, backup camera, and sensors, the blinds in the back, wood steering wheel.

• 

  No compromise car - 2002 Audi A6
  By Michel Aubé - March 17 - 4:03 pm

  Its a no compromise car, it has power, control, style, comfort and safety. Purchased it 82,000 miles, only rode 1,500 miles with it so far but I never experience anything like it. A co-workers owns two A6 with the 2.8 engine, the oldest has 200k and the other is at 150K. Since I take care of my cars I feel confident that I may keep it for a while. It give me about 24/25 MPG if I keep the speed under control which is okay for an AWD. Better than my Durango and slightly less than my Subaru H6 LL Bean. But these cars are not in the same league compare to the Audi.

• 

  Our Sunday Car - 2009 Audi Q5
  By Brandon Smith - March 16 - 1:43 am

  My wife and I just purchased the Q5. It was quite a trade up from a Toyota Corolla. The interior styling is far superior to its Mercedes and BMW competitors. All three trims are great, and the Prestige is amazing. All three trims have the same engine - which has all the power wed ever need. It has all the bells and whistles.

• 

  Stunning & Solid - 2009 Audi A5
  By Drew - March 14 - 4:43 pm

  After 8 months, I am still thrilled with the car. I have never owned a car that got so much attention from so many people. It has enough power to make it fun to drive, and the Quattro all-wheel drive is fun to challenge in corners.

• 

  A great sport sedan. - 2014 Audi S4
  By Paul Abry - March 14 - 1:27 pm

  I continue to be amazed with this car. Its been driven on track by a pro race driver who was wowed with its ability to hold the road - among other things. I love the acceleration both from a stop and when needed to get by something quickly. With the back seats down there is an amazing amount of space. Ive had 8 landscaping timbers plus hundreds of pounds of soil and fertilizer in the car with the trunk closed! Only caution would be that its not for four adults. Not much space or comfort in the back seat.

• 

  Great Car for the money - 2009 Audi A4
  By huntm2000 - March 14 - 12:45 pm

  I am a 7-time BMW owner and was hesitant to compare the new Audi A4 to a 2009 BMW 3 series, but was surprisingly pleased with the build quality, performance, and amenities you get in the Premium Plus package and decided to go with a new 2009 A4 vs the BMW 328xi. I have only owned my new Audi A4 for a few days now, but am very pleased with the build quality, ride, and performance of this car. Anyone is the premium sport sedan market should take a serious look at the A4 before making a decision.

• 

  disapointing A4 - 1998 Audi A4
  By ex-audi-fan - March 13 - 5:23 am

  I love my car, but this machine has cost me plenty of headaches and thousands of dollars to keep it running. So far Ive replaced several major parts in the engine that should have lasted the lifetime of the vehicle. I expected Audi to produce more reliable machines.. this one is not.

• 

  multiple oil leaks - 2000 Audi A6
  By e.tuirner - March 12 - 11:25 pm

  Dont get me wrong I love driving my Audi A6 2.7. But dont let me park in your driveway. I have the valve cover gasket changed three times last year and once this year, it leaks oil out of any and every place possible! The dealer told me that there are over a thousand places that the leaks could come from. I still love driving the A6 and if I could stop those oil leaks, I would be on top of the world. And why cant someone make better gaskets for that darn Audi. And so what if my check engine is always on, it reminds me that I have an engine for now!!!!!!!

• 

  Going Strong - 2008 Audi A4
  By texascoaster - March 12 - 9:32 pm

  I leased this A4 last May and it continues to get better. This is my first Audi and it will not be my last. I have had a great experience with Momentum Audi in Houston and have had no troubles with the vehicle at all. Im getting amazing gas mileage, up to 26 in city and usually 32/33 on highway.