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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  A5-Star Rating! - 2008 Audi A5
  By HermanH - June 27 - 6:12 pm

  Having never owned a luxury car, this is my first and it did not disappoint my idea of what Audi luxury (or any other manufacturer for that matter) is all about. It is also my first production coupe ownership as well (if you dont count my replica kit roadster.) The exterior of the car is in a class all its own. It takes some sports car queues and blends them into the coupe in a way no other manufacturer has done as of late. The main attraction are the LEDs. People stare, point, stay glued to their rear-view mirrors. The stance from the rear is elegant yet very strong with the 255 wide tires! Interior is simply first class for me. My first leather interior. I love this car.

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  Surpurised by lack of quality - 2007 Audi A3
  By Colorado - June 27 - 4:19 pm

  This is a great, versatile car. It offers a fun to drive, economical vehicle that can also hull a large amount of equipment, especially with the rear seats folded down. I dont think any other car on the market has all of this. I purchased the S-line with just about every option available. I cant imagine living without rain sensing wipers now. Which leads to my dilemma. I will have to replace this car before the warranty runs out. I have had three major issues with the vehicle with a total down time of well over a month, and this within the first year of ownership. I hate to say it, but I cannot recommend this car based on its poor reliability.

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  The Incredible R8 - 2008 Audi R8
  By R8Heaven - June 25 - 12:51 pm

  Audi got this car right! The fact that this car is mentioned in the same breath as a Porsche 911 Turbo and other high end sports cars says a lot about a car that didnt exist 2 years ago. The R8 drives like it is on rails and sticks like paint. Be prepared to be stared at in the R8 and watch as little kids point at it. The engine sounds awesome. I have considered many sports cars but $ for $ there is no better one out there. Probably why there is a 2 year wait for it. Do whatever you can and get one

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  From a twin turbo convertible - 2008 Audi R8
  By tomdfw1 - June 25 - 10:10 am

  Picked up my R8 this week after having deposit down for a year. I traded in my 04 911 turbo convertible. While I do miss the convertible, the Audis exclusivity and sense of driving is second to none. The build quality surpassed my expectations and the sound when driving the car is amazing. I let a friend drive it and when I heard the car coming down the road, it sounded like a hurricane blowing in. Amazing. Everywhere one goes it captures a crowd and the looks of this car make it the best looking car on the road in my opinion. I have always been a Porsche guy, but am thrilled.

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  Love Hate Relationship - 2001 Audi A4
  By mwg - June 24 - 11:04 am

  I bought this car new in 2001 - has the sport package, put in chip, it drives fantastic when it is not being towed to the mechanic. I have 4"thick file of repairs and tire changes. It chews up tires every 20k miles regardless of brand and consistent tire rotation. At 90k miles the engine blew. Fortunately Audi replaced it after I provided documentation of oil changes every 5k miles. I have replaced wheel bearings, tie rods, timing belt, hoses, sensors, the turbo at 160k, battery, alternator etc. If it wasnt paid for and if I did not love to drive it so much it would be gone. I cant find another car with the same combo of performance, mileage, utility,AWD, and class.

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  Audi A8L - 2006 Audi A8
  By soobie23 - June 22 - 8:41 pm

  Car has been flawless through almost 2 years of ownership. Love the stealth factor, car is totally amazing. Friends refer to it as the James Bond car, for all its gadgets and features.

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  Liked my 2014 Q5 so much - I leased another! - 2016 Audi Q5
  By Ingolstadt Fan - June 22 - 1:00 pm

  I had a 2014 Q5 Premium Plus 2.0 lease that was up for renewal recently. In over 30 years of leasing vehicles Ive NEVER leased the same vehicle twice as every one of them seemed to have some quirk or flaw that made me want to try something different. However, in this case I ended up leasing the a newer version of the exact same Q5. Why? because I test drove everything else out there and could not bear to part with the Q5. Superb all around car and hands down the best engines on the road today. After 36K miles on the 2014, zero flaws and the exterior and interior still look it came off the showroom. My new 2016 is even better, if thats possible. There is a reason this SUV consistently gets 5 star ratings.

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  Fun with or without sun!!!!! - 2004 Audi A4
  By Tracey - June 22 - 10:00 am

  The Audi A4 1.8T Convertible is worth every penny paid for! While it may not have the power of the BMW, it sure does possess the style, handling and comfort of its German counterpart. The car is nicely equipped when the Premium & Sport package is added. It is a blast to drive and performs well....catching the eyes of many on lookers as it passes em by!!!!!

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  Frequent repairs - 2004 Audi A4
  By iscalise - June 22 - 9:32 am

  I bought this Audi new, within the first year had to go back to the dealer 3 times for faulty airbags. Almost problem free since then, except a few minor issues: non-working headlight cleaners, burnt lights, filter problems. It just came out of warranty (>4 years) and the A/C compressor died, dealer wants to charge $2000 to replace it. Im thinking of trading it since repair costs for this car are exorbitant. Drives very well in snow though!

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  What a Gem - 2006 Audi A3
  By Larry Marks - June 21 - 12:18 am

  I traded in my 2003 530i for a certified pre-owned A3 with 36,275 miles on it. I couldnt be happier. It is a phenomenal vehicle, and all for under 30k. It all starts with the engine. The 2.0T is a great powerplant, and I love the short throws on my 6 speed manual transmission. The low end torque really gets the car going. The steering is very responsive and the ride is very stable. It is such a blast to drive. It is a coin flip between this A3 and a 323i as the best driving cars I have ever owned. The quality of the interior build is much better than the BMWs I have just come out of (a 323i then 530i). The fuel economy is not bad (25mpg for me) for such a fun car to drive