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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  Fun drive - 2006 Audi A3
  By Rick - August 13 - 3:39 am

  Car is fun to drive. The turbo engine needs a slight more power, nothing a chip upgrade wont fix. Front wheels due seem to spin a bit, but after some driving time you learn how to minimize the spin.

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  Excellent car with minor negatives - 2009 Audi A4
  By Mobilehavoc - August 12 - 6:36 am

  Ive had the car for 3 weeks and 600 miles of driving so far. I got the Premium Plus trim with Navigation and Im really loving the car. It has the exterior looks, interior styling/finish and performance that make it the true triple-threat. For a V4 turbo, it delivers a consistent torque through the RPM range making it a pure joy to drive coupled with the excellent all- time quattro AWD. The interior is Audi at its best with an excellent MMI system - for all intents and purposes is the same interior of the more expensive A6/Q7 models. Everything is designed to make the drivers job as effortless and enjoyable as possible and I have no regrets whatsoever in purchasing this car. Recommended

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  Great car - 2005 Audi A4
  By michelle - August 11 - 4:08 pm

  This car is really great and I would recommend it to anyone. It has great acceleration. I love merging onto the highway beacuse I can always get in. Its really fun to drive and gets pretty decent gas mileage.

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  Very very pleased - 2006 Audi A6
  By Jim Hughes - August 11 - 9:39 am

  Bought the 2006 A6 to replace a 1997 A6. A quantum leap in technical sophistication, comfort and fit. Seating very comfortable. Highway noise almost non-existent. Great acceleration and manuverability. Only two minor manufacturing flaws, neither performance related. The MMI is easy enough to use, but it is distracting. I live with a lot of wide open spaces, but with hundreds of satellite radio stations to choose from, you get distracted. The on- wheel controls do not remedy this because of a lag in activating the tuning dial - the lag means you have to look away from the road to see where you are. The doors are very heavy, which I equate with safe. I would happily buy this car again.

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  06 a6 - 2006 Audi A6
  By obee - August 8 - 4:26 pm

  At 6000 miles its been fun and no problems. The 5000 mile service was friendly and thorough. The mileage has been a pleasant surprise as its constantly above 30 mpg on the highway.

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 2014 Audi Q5
  By Russell Andrews - August 8 - 11:33 am

  I dont have anything negative to write. Best value Ive ever owned in my 54 yrs of driving. Go nonstop from Syracuse to Beaufort,SC (14 hrs) and my wife and I are not worn out by the trip... very comfortable and accommodating.

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  Stunning - 1999 Audi A4
  By Strike_Eagle - August 8 - 8:36 am

  First I want to get one thing out of the way, Its an Audi, some repairs are going to be expensive. If you want cheap, this is not the car for your. On a better note, This car is absolutely amazing to drive, I have the Sport and Cold weather packages as well and let me tell you, make sure yours has the sport package. This vehicle grips the road like a magnet! Winter driving with the Quattro system will not leave one disappointed, Truly is the ultimate snowmobile. Also do not be fooled by the performance specs... while not a sports car, the 1.8T engine has plenty of get up and go to make even a grown man giggle like a little kid.

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  Mature and Sporty - 2006 Audi A3
  By Pete - August 8 - 6:46 am

  I chose the A3 because I was looking for a car that was mature (not a boy toy), functional (can I fit a large screen TV ?), and sporty (fun to drive). The A3 is a perfect match. The DSG is fantastic - but took some getting used to as I would tend to forget I was in manual mode. My only regret was not getting the Sport model, because the suspension is a little softer than what I am used to, but then the ride is more luxurious as well, and I did ask for a mature ride. Im getting about 22 MPG in mixed driving, but think Id do better if I quit playing with the paddles. At first I didnt think Id want the Open Sky roof, but now I am very happy I got it.

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  Awesome! - 2006 Audi A4
  By Joel - August 6 - 9:45 pm

  My 2006 A4 exceeded my expectation. Great pick-up, terrific handling, oustanding standard Audi symphony sound system. This is my third A4 and the very best experience of all!

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  Flawless - 2006 Audi A3
  By heyoka - August 6 - 9:46 am

  Most fun you can have in a car that has comfortable seating and decent luggage room with excellent fuel economy for the level of performance. DSG is the best transmission, manual or automatic, on a mass-produced car, and FSI is the most advanced readily available non-hybrid engine.