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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  This is my 2nd Audi.. - 2009 Audi A4
  By KarlS - March 12 - 5:09 pm

  ...A4, previously owned 2007 2.0T Q sport/Sline/Ti. Current car (2.0TQ prem+ w/sport pkg) is what I was hoping for when I 1st purchased an Audi, slightly better performance than before, much better handling, much improved seats (highly recommend sport pkg option). Feels like an adults vehicle. Complaints: only re plastic dash piece (hope for aftermarket cure soon) & wish it still had a full size spare - minor stuff really. Very anxious to see how this is chipped, 2007 was a big difference, 2009 promises to be better. Bottom line, I love driving this car... so does my wife.

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  What a piece of junk! - 1999 Audi A6
  By cdubya - March 12 - 12:45 pm

  Looks ok, handles ok... it is gutless off the line. Endless problems, the Yugo I had in college had better reliability. Leaks oil - dealer cant find the cause, engine smokes from oil leak. Eats brake pads and tires. This is NOT a supposed luxury car... I now know its a step or two below most American made cars and nowhere near a well built, reliable Japanese vehicle. My ego said buy it, my brain said,"NO" - well the ego won and now Im paying. What a piece of junk! You fooled me once never again... back to the 4Runner. Which was only good to me.

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  Summary - 1997 Audi A4
  By Turk - March 11 - 4:10 pm

  Here is my two cents after putting 50K on my A4 which I purchased at 120K. Very reliable engine, manual transmission (same OEM clutch at 170K), no major electrical problems. What has failed, cruise control, driver side heated seat, thermostat. I believe overall it is a very reliable car, sensors that I have replaced along the way are just the same on all cars these days, all made by BOSCH and it doesnt make a difference which brand you drive. In terms of interior/exterior design, ergonomics and build quality Audi is never any less than other Germans and maybe much better in some of these areas if not all. The up side is because of its reputation here in USA, you can get them much cheaper!!

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  Traded S5 - 2009 Audi Q5
  By Michelle D. - March 11 - 11:03 am

  My wife and I traded our S5 in on the Q5 and honestly the quality and build is the same. Weve owned the Acura RDX and Toyotas Higlander in the past this vehicle is by far superior. We have owned BMWs before and looked at the X3 we are glad we waited. This vehicle gives us some of the performance we enjoyed in the S5 without all of the attention we got in the S5,we get some but not as much.It also gives us the comfort of the S5 with greater cargo space. You forget youre riding in a SUV. Weve only had it a couple of weeks, well stick with Audi.I miss the B&O :( .

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  No need for SUV... - 2001 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By pomcul - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car in in 2001... fully loaded with 6 speed manual. I had very little bugs with it, the only thing I replaced was the bushing for the front seat... After 40k miles the car runs as smooth and as fast as the day I bought it. I chipped the car and it produces 310 HP and really dont have any turbo lag... the engine feels like a 4.2 V8 without the weight. I will keep this car for another 5 years, its just that good!! Hope you will have the chance to enjoy this car... Good driving....

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  500 miles so far.. - 2004 Audi A4
  By sdradioguy - March 11 - 10:00 am

  .. and I LOVE it. I was going to get the TSX, until I drove the quattro. Im about halfway through the break-in period, so Im still trying to treat it gently. But its so hard to restrain myself. I do not find the car to be at all underpowered (having most of the torque at 1950+ rpm helps). The ride is firm on the highway, but not punishing around town. Its super quiet. And the fit-and-finish inside and out is incredible, even in the trunk. Now Im crossing my fingers my first Audi will be a reliable one.

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  Nice ride - 1990 Audi 100
  By pcelias - March 10 - 10:41 pm

  After 19 years, the car looks and drives nice. What helps is that the suspension was lowered by about 2 inches, giving it a very tight ride (albeit a bit harsh at times) but man can it corner! Gets me about 20 mpg on average mixed around town driving, up to 25 mpg on solid highway driving.

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  Best of the Bst - 2009 Audi A4
  By Medfather - March 10 - 8:00 pm

  After owning BMWs and Mercedes (2 lemons in a row), this is my 1st Audi. It is awesome! Very comfortable, wonderful variable steering, great electronics. I am impressed by the 4 cylinder turbo quick acceleration, especially when down shift to the "S" mode (passed 5 cars on 2 lane country road-WOW!). We take it on the Interstate every weekend while our BMW 330 sits in the garage. Gas mileage is 24 around town and 27-30 on highway, depending on how I drive. The 2009 A-4 surpasses my expectations.

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  Amazing - 2008 Audi S6
  By S Man - March 10 - 5:19 am

  This car is absolutely amazing. The Led lights are stunning. The white and red interior dashboard displays are amazing. The sport seats are very comfortable and keep you strapped. Everyone that sees this beautiful and yet understated beast knows that there is something very special underneath the hood. I might as well replace the stock hood with a transparent hood to see that Lamborghini derived V10 beauty.

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  Best possible winter car - 1999 Audi A6
  By Nelson - March 8 - 5:38 pm

  I just purchased one of these last summer after my 1988 Jeep stopped working, and this has been a far superior Colorado winter vehicle than anything Ive ever driven in the past, including an Explorer and my Jeep. The bad news: I have spent almost $4,000 in repairs since I bought it in June. The coolant fan tends to burn out on these around 90k miles, and I purchased mine at 93k. However it is now a solid car that I should at least get another 60- 70k miles out of. Dont purchase these if you cant afford the repair bills. However, if you can, these are some of the best. Winter safety was my primary reason for making this purchase, and it easily outperforms local favorites Subaru and Volvo.