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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  Vegas5 - 2009 Audi A5
  By Vegas - February 21 - 11:48 am

  For the money, one of the best cars I have owned. I have received so much interest from other drivers whether driving it or walking up and people stopping to inquire. Driving impression for such a heavy car is terrific and well balanced. The all wheel drive and 19 inch wheels no doubt compensate. One reviewer complained about the steering. I dont see it. I have not heard rattle, squeak or shutter. The fit and build quality is tremendous. Plus, youre not seeing yourself coming down the road in a 3 series. The v6 has great power. The V8 blows you away, but so does the gas. Great car.

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  problems - 2017 Audi Q7
  By dawn - February 20 - 10:17 pm

  I love my Q7, but Im having problems already and have only owned it since the end of June. The hatch has a tendency to not to want to open and it makes a screeching noise when it does open. You have to try and pull it up enough to shut it so you can try and open it again. Ive had it in for a fix and all they did was a master reset. What good is that really going to do?? Ha, nothing, as it is happening again. Im pretty sure the pre sense is not working. Ive had a couple close calls where it should have and it didnt work. But they tell me it is. Ive just started having issues with the key remembering my settings. I have had to push the button several times now to get it where I have it set for me. Im wondering if I made a mistake buying this Audi. :( I got rid of my explorer because I was constantly bringing it in for the same problems they couldnt seem to get fixed right. I dont want to have to be doing that again!

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  02 A4 1.8 QM5 - Polar - 2002 Audi A4
  By mikegar123 - February 20 - 10:00 am

  WOW - Ive waited a long time to own an A4 and I finally purchased the 2002 B6 platform. Simply awesome. Interior -no other company does it better. The exterior is sleek and sporty. The added safety and performance of Quattro make this car the best bang for your buck automobile in the Entry Sports sedan market.

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  If Steve Jobs makes cars, it would be A5 - 2008 Audi A5
  By Darth Vader - February 19 - 9:57 am

  I am an "early adopter" of the A5 in early 2008. After nearly a year of ownership, the car is holding up well. I have had no mechanical problems except a burned-out LED light that was replaced and have noticed no rattles in the car after 12,000 miles.

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  My First (but not last) Audi - 2006 Audi A4
  By Tae - February 19 - 4:56 am

  I had to choose between a 06 Infiniti G35 Coupe 6MT and an 06 Audi A4 6MT Q. I test drove both and fell in love with this car! Mine is a Black with Ebony interior, Premium package, Tech package with Bluetooth, S-line package, and a sunroof. Drive is very stimulating, handling is extremly responsive (the S-line is well worth it if you are not going to mod the car), power is plentful with lots of torque for a small engine. Brakes are adequate with great stopping power. The 2.0t has virtually no turbo lag. It feels as strong or stronger than the older models 3.0 V6 (but with much better fuel economy). Definitely get the Quattro. I live in San Diego and the twisties are amazing with AWD.

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  One of the best wagons available - 2009 Audi A4
  By rollwaveroll - February 18 - 7:12 pm

  I swapped a Tundra pickup for this wagon and love the car. Best combination of size, performance, and practicality on the market. Wonderful handling and when the turbo kicks in, breathtaking acceleration. Lots of features and techno gadgets even in the base model. As can be expected from Audi, top notch interior build although the gray metallic plastic around the instrument panel seems cheesy, why didnt they just use the aluminum trim like in the rest of the car. The radio controls take some getting used to and the steering wheel audio controls frustratingly dont let you scroll among preset stations only. This car is a looker and gets lots of attention, a top choice among wagons!

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  Not so good! - 2001 Audi A6
  By Mayo - February 18 - 12:26 pm

  I looked at Audis for a long time and finally bought it! Almost 2 years later and boy what a mistake!! I was trading in a Jeep so I could get better gas mileage and its not a big improvement. I get about 18-20mpg & thats 75% highway and rest city. I have had to replace many parts and of course they are EXTREMELY expensive to fix. The car rides nice and looks good but be prepared to spend a lot to fix it when it breaks! For supposedly being a German performance car it doesnt handle that well. 2.7T has good power most of the time but there is a decent delay if you try to accelerate quickly. I wont ever own an Audi or foreign car again, this one ruined it!

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  Poor quality in a pretty package - 2002 Audi A6
  By Donna - February 17 - 7:01 pm

  Attractive design wrapped around a nightmare of ongoing expensive repair bills for items I have NEVER had break on any other car I have ever owned! Keeping up with regular maintenance does not help avert the $1500 to $2000 bi-monthly repair bills that begin when the car hits around 75K miles. This has convinced me to NEVER buy another Audi - good looks and style are not worth much when you frequently get stranded on the roadside with a dead car and have to face towing cost AND a couple of thousand dollars of repairs. Not worth the premium I paid for poorly engineered mechanics :-(

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  BEST Car ever owned - 1998 Audi A6
  By WJ - February 16 - 11:07 pm

  I bought this car with 7000 miles on it and about 9 years later it has 229,000 miles on it and drives the same as it did when i bought it. The interior and exterior far surpass any car of its age on the road.

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  Love it - 2007 Audi A6
  By dschoen - February 16 - 10:21 pm

  I had an Audi A6 2.7 2000 which I loved and was very much the sports car. The A6 3.2 2008 is not as sporty but is a great car to drive. The sound system is the best Ive ever owned. The gas mileage is unbelievable with in city averaging over 21 and highway over 30. The car is great car for trips and would highly recommend it to anyone.