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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  Superbowl commercial got me - 2009 Audi A6
  By go badgers - February 9 - 10:42 pm

  Yes Jason Statham made a sale. Black/black premium plus. This car rides significantly better than the 2008 A6. The dealer had a new 2008 for 10k less. I felt it bucked back and forth over "normal" Wisconsin winter roads. I couldnt have driven one. The 2009 handled the same roads much better. Im only a few hundred miles in so far but its clear this is an amazing vehicle. Never harsh over potholes and has higher lateral limits than Im willing to test so far. The supercharged v6 feels strong but Im still in the break-in period. Love the mmi integration with my iPhone. All of my music and Bluetooth built in. Quattro AWD is impressive.

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  Audi misleads on A-6 - 2009 Audi A6
  By Wayne Capinegro - February 9 - 7:58 pm

  I ordered a 2009 A-6, 4.2, Garnet Red, and according to the Audi website the car was to have the S-Line interior. When the car came it had the plain interior without the more comfortable sport seats. I was then told after the fact that the S-Line was no longer available. Obviously the website was misleading. I have owned 2002, 2006, and 2008 A-6s. I will never buy another Audi because of this deception.

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  Certified Used - 2007 Audi A3
  By Bluesmaster - February 9 - 4:58 pm

  I bought this A3 with 7000 miles and it displayed very little wear. After driving it for a month in icy and snowy conditions I am very impressed. The stock all season tires get the job done but the fronts are worn a good bit. There are no rattles and the s-tronic transmission works very well. Handling is excellent and the mileage is decent considering the power and weight, about 20mpg in mixed winter driving. The A3 tends to be very touchy when accelerating from a stop, its jerky and hard to achieve a smooth getaway. The brakes are excellent. Overall, Im very pleased with the interior quality and look of the A3. I drove the 2.0 turbo and I feel the V6 is considerably better.

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  Worth It - 2004 Audi A6
  By audi happy - February 8 - 9:56 pm

  Bought the car for my wife and we both love it. The ride is great, and the cabin is first class. When I walk by it I cant help but stare at it. Had one problem bad brake light switch caused alarms, but $100 fix. Now Im looking for the A6 4.2 V8 for me. Mercedes are so bland and BMWs are ugly. If you want a great car that makes you happy every time you drive it, buy Audi.

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  Excellent Ride - 2009 Audi A4
  By Wdan - February 8 - 11:51 am

  Went from an 06 A4 2.0 Quattro to this. This is the 06 all grown up. The ride is tremendous and smooth. Very quiet in the cab which is great for blue-tooth calls. Handling is superb. Handles even better over 90 as all German cars should. Excellent off the line. Sport mode is stellar with the v6. Light package makes you feel like a rock star as you turn heads.

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  Glad I bought the 4.2l - 2000 Audi A6
  By Paul - February 8 - 8:29 am

  This is my 5th audi. The 4.2l is a rocket on wheels and my favorite so far. Engine has been maint. free other then the standard timing belt / water pump change ($800) at 80K. Break pads last ~40K. Minor non-driveability repairs. Window switch ($110) 2x failed, 5 min DIY repair. Front end torsion squeaks (>$1000). Expensive oil changes ($80). Center display is getting dim. Most fun daily driver I have ever owned. Unique body and interior of the 4.2l sets it far about the mundane 2.7Ts. Great in the snow. Almost as fast as my 911. Find a non-dealer Audi mech., I havent met a dealer yet that will let me out of the service bay for <$1000 of questionable repairs.

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  Design ERROR - 2007 Audi A3
  By PKWadkins - February 7 - 10:39 am

  Have an A4, love it, decided to get an A3. Worse mileage than our truck, turns 3000 RPMs at highway speed, cant even make 10MPH in 1st gear. TERRIBLE design point. Weve contacted Audi, they blame everyone else (dealer, etc) - but it is the worst design I have seen in 30 years of buying cars. Lighter than the A4, same power (V6), smaller, and about 10MPG worse than the A4 - blows my mind. We wont touch Audi again - due to Audi USA refusing to discuss, acknowledge, suggest fixes (ie, different gear ratio in the differentials). By the way, Im an engineer, have extensive auto experience...

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  Great handling...poor reliability - 2003 Audi A4
  By Oliv - February 7 - 9:30 am

  Ive owned this A4 for 2 years now and I am still not sure about Audi. I really like the car handling in all conditions. The Quattro system is excellent in all conditions. However, the engine power together with the auto transmission feels short on acceleration ability. Gas mileage could be better (23 mpg overall) for a car this size. I was disappointed with the reliability of this car but even more with the ability from Audi dealerships to find the issues. They replaced the throttle assembly 3 times (!) before thinking the issue could come from somewhere else (cracked plastic cover that messed the ECM box). I also had to replace the steering rack (leak) and two noisy wheel bearings (rear).

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  awesome - 2003 Audi A4
  By Joel Fernandez - February 7 - 2:00 am

  I took my time to pick up this car. I had a 3 series 97 bmw and was a diehard bimmer owner. Then it came time to buy another car. I tried the new bmw 3 series, the Infiniti G35, the Nissan Altima, and the Audi A4. I kept on going back to the A4, because I loved everything about it. From its sporty looks, to its great performance, as well as its comfort. Theres no beating the price for it also.

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  A GREAT CAR!!! - 2003 Audi A4
  By ChicagoAudi - February 7 - 2:00 am

  What an excellent car!!! Although it doesnt have the 200+ HP, it sure drives like it does. I recommend this car to anyone. Also, excellent service from all the dealerships.