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:

• 

  After a thorough search, this is what I found - 2014 Audi A4
  By darryl144 - June 22 - 6:29 am

  Just purchased a 2014 A4. The driving dynamics are amazing and better than the new BMWs. I have driven performance cars all my life and the handling of this car is sublime. The styling is subtle and elegant. The engine lacks the sonorous qualities of more performance oriented vehicles but given the plebeian power figures the car moves with an alacrity and agility that genuinely impresses credit the 8 speed Tiptronic transmission. Amenities abound and present themselves when you least expect them. Its like an Armani suit, the closer you look at the details the more beautiful touches you find. The A4 IMHO blends Power Elegance and Beauty like few automobiles ever have. Love this car!!!

• 

  Great Mix of Sport and Luxury. - 2015 Audi A3
  By sfast81 - June 19 - 9:10 am

  This car is great and well rounded. If you are looking for a all wheel drive vehicle with a luxury name that is also fast look no further! The 2.0 Quattro is the way to go. BMW has a sweet 2 series but its coupe only and no AWD. The mercedes CLA is nice but does not match the performance of the A3. I also liked that Audi installed a S tronic sport tranmission in this car not just a normal CVT Trans that is in the A4.

• 

  Two for the road - 2014 Audi A4
  By norwayboy - June 17 - 3:03 pm

  Within 2 weeks of buying our A4 we took it on a 5000 mile tour to see friends and family. The car handles like a sports car but offers as comfortable and quiet ride as a limo. Despite driving in several Western States with speed limits of either 70 or 75 mph, we managed a 31+ mpg figure and that includes driving over both the Sierra and Rocky Mountains.

• 

  front interior - 2014 Audi Q7
  By jm1938 - June 16 - 11:54 am

  Im frustrated with the layout of the center console: I have to take my eye off the road to use the radio/navigation MMI controls. Also the same with the cup holders as they are too far back. Voice control doesnt understand my commands or maybe I dont understand what to say. Radio knob is out of the way and when out of my usual territory it is difficult to find a radio station. The cruise control is visually difficult to see. I dont like the wiper system as when I turn them on the rear wipers seem to go on too due to its location on the stick. Vehicle has a lot of road noise. I thought Id get better fuel mileage with the diesel but am only getting 25 mpg on the highway.

• 

  HORRIBLE CAR MECHANICALLY - 2009 Audi A4
  By tc124 - May 20 - 3:12 pm

  I just bought this car 4 months ago and it has 60,000 miles on it. It is burning oil like you wouldnt believe. I took it in to the Audi service department and they said the first step is to replace the crankcase pressure regulatory valve and put the Audi software update on it, which cost $109 for that. Overall, the cost is $600. If this doesnt fix the problem, the engine pistons need to be replaced, so basically a new engine for $5,000. Audi needs to recall the 2.0 liter engines. Why would you charge 40,000 for a car and the engine goes out at 60,000 miles. Obviously, this is a faulty engine!

• 

  My new obsession - 2015 Audi A3
  By melillobm - May 20 - 11:05 am

  So Ive had my new A3 1.8T for a little over a week now. In short, this car is a great buy. This really is just the "smaller Audi," not the cheaper Audi as other luxury brands now have. Comparing it to my older A4, it delivers all of the same luxury and new tech! Im a car addict. I get a new car every 6 months. Ive driven a lot of new cars so I can give you a well-rounded review. I traded a 2014 Maxima for it. The technology in this car will blow you away, unless you drive a Tesla. It reminds me of the wonders of the 2000-2004 Jetta and Audi A4. Small and luxurious, with great acceleration for a 4cyl, great gas mileage, and amazingly spacious where it looks like it could never be.

• 

  All around excellent vehicle - 2013 Audi allroad
  By britqueen - May 18 - 11:00 am

  Ive had this vehicle for almost two years now and its been a very fun vehicle to drive!! I have the Prestige version and its fully loaded with blind spot monitor, rain sensing wipers, upgraded stereo. What I love most about it: Bang and Olufsen stereo..really sounds great, panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, power liftgate. What I dont like about it: seats arent the most comfortable, and the rear seat leg room. Also the options can be $$$ when you move up in trim levels. Other than that, the Allroad is very fun to drive!! I havent had any major problems with it in the two years Ive owned it.

• 

  Love it! - 2015 Audi A3
  By chitag - May 15 - 11:40 am

  Im a few weeks into my new 2015 Audi A3 after having had several VWs (Eos, Rabbit, and a Jetta). I love it!! I got white with black interior, premium plus, sports package, and bang & olufsen speakers. I didnt get the MMI navigation simply because I wont use it -- so why pay for it. I think the most surprising thing for me is just how fun the car is to drive. Its zippy especially in sport mode. Its definitely not "just another Jetta." The engine/transmission is completely different than VWs, and it really has a lot more power. Plus, with quattro, its all wheel drive. Its definitely worth the money. Its very nice all the bells and whistles you want and need.

• 

  Look somewhere else - 2013 Audi A7
  By spaquelet - May 13 - 7:38 pm

  "Brand new with 95 miles on it and it broke less than 24 hours after driving it off of the lot. O2 sensor was bad and an actuator (whatever that is) needed to be moved. Start-stop is very inconsistent. Plastic modeling near side mirror had to be replaced and whole car started to shake from defrost on 4/9. Cruise control is very poor (jumpy, not smooth). Climate control also acts like Jeckel and Hyde. Overall the car is worth about $40,000. The only thing going for it is that it looks great. Needs an economy mode as the computer often chooses a gear to low for economy. Audi has offered little help!

• 

  The Allroad makes sense... - 2014 Audi allroad
  By cheapseats - May 13 - 6:30 pm

  To begin with, I am a SUV refugee. I have lived in the Colorado mountains near Denver and got stuck driving SUVs to have snow clearance so that my vehicle wouldnt be turned into a snowplow at the wrong times. But I did need the space to haul road bicycles inside the vehicle in the summer during rainy weather along with baggage. Also needed power for climbing the mountains and good gas mileage for driving long distances without living in a gas station. This Allroad does it all with ease and style. This reminds me of my first Allroad of years past but this is truly a starship in comparison. Love this car and the handling is great compared to a SUV which is its true competition.