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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  Lemonade on Wheel - 2003 Audi A4
  By Lemonade Vendor - December 6 - 9:21 am

  First of all, this is the worst car Ive ever owned. Second of all, the worst car I ever owned...now you got my point. At 57k miles replaced the CVT transmission ($8K), CV boot 4x, headlight every 3-6months, it goes on. Never will ever buy or own an Audi again, worst than Yugo and Id rather drive a Pacer.

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  Superb Car! - 2005 Audi A6
  By NJA6fan - December 4 - 5:30 am

  After 115,000 miles in our 98 A4, we drove most of the available all-wheel options and chose the A6. We have been extremely pleased. The car handles beautifully, as if its magnetically connected to the road. The acceleration is strong, yet we get decent mileage (low 20s). The interior is luxurious and very comfortable. MMI allows custom control over virtually every aspect of the car, yet is not so complicated that you feel intimidated. An excellent job!

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  Superb Car! - 2005 Audi A6
  By NJA6fan - December 4 - 3:16 am

  After 115,000 miles in our 98 A4, we drove most of the available all-wheel options and chose the 2005 Audi A6. We have been extremely pleased. The car handles beautifully, as if its magnetically connected to the road. The acceleration is strong, yet we get decent mileage (low 20s). The interior is luxurious and very comfortable. MMI allows custom control over virtually every aspect of the car, yet is not so complicated that you feel intimidated. An excellent job!

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  My Audi A4 - 2004 Audi A4
  By THECITY - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Excellent vehicle. I keep coming back to Audi, my fifth one over the last 20 years. Never lets me down and cant beat the handling.

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  Hofmeier Review - 2004 Audi A4
  By Hofmeier - December 3 - 2:00 am

  We love out Audi Convertible. It has a great ride...plenty of get up and go...it is exactly with a sporty convertible should be.

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  Still in the honeymoon phase - 2016 Audi A6
  By Robert Howard - December 2 - 6:01 pm

  So far really enjoying the A6. Its the right size, looks terrific, a comfortable cruiser and the materials inside and out are top notch. Its really too early to comment about things like reliability, maintenance costs etc., but both my wife (the primary driver) and I feel good about the purchase. The A6 replaces a Q5 which was our first Audi and the ownership experience was stellar.

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  Awesome A4 2.0T Quattro S Line - 2006 Audi A4
  By KeithB - December 1 - 11:30 pm

  This is truly an awesome car. It is a blast to drive the 6 speed manual on the country roads over here. Today I went for a drive and enjoyed 35MPG. Responsive engine, German engineering and handling for a reasonable cost. Cant beat it!!! Oh... I forgot to mention we can buy 98.6 Octane petrol here (Shell Optimax) and that cant hurt.

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  Amazing Auto - 2006 Audi A4
  By Gary Loper - December 1 - 9:00 pm

  Im an American living in Germany. The Autobahn is made for driving. The A4 is made for the Autobahns. Plenty of power, the new 2 litre turbo has more than enough power. Handling, when you get on the mountain passes, you really need it. Thats something that my SUV did not have. I would recommend this car to anyone.

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  Wow and simply amazing - 2008 Audi S6
  By sshah - December 1 - 3:27 pm

  Purchased this car Friday and have not stopped admiring what this car is capable of and how much fun you can have in a sedan. Tested M3 M5 but for the price, refinement and handling, hands down this the car is the best. Its a Lambo in a sedans clothing and the grunt the engine make when its pushed is awesome. Plus you have quattro stabilty and handling.

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  Great car, poor execution of technology - 2009 Audi A3
  By TimmyB - December 1 - 1:09 pm

  I just picked up my car last week. Having driven VW for over 15 years in the 80s and 90s, I knew exactly what to expect. The engine is amazing, the S-tronic (DSG) transmission is fabulous, mileage has been great right out of the box. I am left scratching my head trying to figure out how a $34K car can be missing so many things that were on my $23 Kia three years ago! Auto headlamps, auto-dimming rearview mirror, integrated garage door opener, remote starting available (its not!). Also, no memory positions for seats & mirrors. These are items that you shouldnt even have to talk about in 2009! A great car highly recommended IF you can deal with these oversights from Audi.