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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  Silence is Golden ? - 2007 Audi Q7
  By rreich - March 10 - 1:54 pm

  My Audi Q7 has been the nicest drive for handling, comfort and acceleration! but the electronics have failed since about 3 weeks after I brought it home. When it doesnt work, it doesnt work... no GPS, phone,radio, CD, iPod, nothing. And this was at the same time the steering column got stuck in the down position. While setting my preferred settings I lowered it, it stayed there for a month or so, the service dept fixed it but the rest is a on going mystery!

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  A Beast - 2008 Audi A4
  By mba - March 10 - 1:01 pm

  The car is just gorgeous, and a blast to drive. Went for the throaty 3.2 over the 2.0, and Im glad I did. Not only for the engine, but also for the equipment thats standard instead of optional. Its fast and handles like a dream. I actually want more snow.

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  Love the car... few issues - 2007 Audi Q7
  By schwartzps - March 10 - 10:54 am

  I absolutely love my Q7. I will warn you though of a major design flaw. If any of you ever drink a liquid while driving, beware. I spilled the smallest amount of coffee and it shorted out part of my electrical system.This little spill will cost you close to $1000. If you notice, the buttons are directly in front of the cupholders. What was Audi thinking? Now when I have my coffee or water, I put a cloth over the control panel!

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  The Perfect Car - 2008 Audi S8
  By nperence - March 10 - 5:20 am

  This is the perfect car for someone who needs a large sedan. It has loads of space, a huge trunk, its performance is quite astonishing, yet its appearance does not give it away as blatantly as say an AMG Merc. The quattro makes it possible to drive in any weather. The car also has two personalities: a tame, comfortable luxury sedan and a sports sedan with high-revving (up to 7000 RPM redline) shifts in S mode. Finally, it has the best interior I have ever sat in and its MMI is much simpler to use than either BMW or Mercs systems.

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  Perfect City Car Compact Luxury. - 2008 Audi A3
  By Noah - March 8 - 10:25 pm

  After years with an A4 Avant, this has not been a step down at all! I figured I would be sacrificing space and luxury for MPG and the convenience of a compact, but not really the case roomy interior and meticulous detail (I could live without the carbon fiber trim look, however). Way easier to park in the city, better mileage, and far quicker than the A4. Overall, if you dont need the Quattro I cant see a reason to get a new A4 Avant when this option is out there.

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  Refinement and Invigoration in One - 2008 Audi A3
  By JW - March 8 - 10:04 pm

  Just purchased my A3, and after driving about town a bit now, I can say with certainty that this is a unique ride. Just like BMWs seem to combine refinement with performance, this car does the same, with a bit more raw feeling, less cush. If you are even thinking about a BMW, or one of the many alternative, do not let the A3 slip your list, this car is great! Its like play toy that has all the creature comforts you could want.

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  Best and only small luxury hatchback - 2006 Audi A3
  By Ralph - March 8 - 1:06 am

  Great fuel economy, a huge upgrade in performance from last years A4 base models. An automatic transmission that has better performance than manual and better fuel economy. Thats quite a feat. Interior build is excellent. Great value too, no disadvantage vs. the A4 in space.

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  Fun to drive factor! - 2008 Audi TT
  By Dennis - March 7 - 2:09 pm

  My new Audi replaces a 2002 TT 225 Quattro 6 speed manual. I almost expect to have minor electrical and mechanical issues, but its a compromise when driving this great road going car. The new TT has only a few hundred miles, but it is easy to see and feel the differences. It is a better appointed interior, and the DSG has become very smooth in its delivery. The gusty exhaust note is what I listen to most when I drive, though the basic factory stereo sounds great. Bought the car for Quattro and when I had a FWD A3 for loaner, it was apparent I made the right decision. Ill check back after I get through the self imposed 5k mile "keep the RPM under 3500) break-in period. Easier said than done

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  Good Car, Average Reliability - 1997 Audi A4
  By Timlars - March 7 - 9:52 am

  This car worked well, but we had a number of small issues with it. The drivers side window repeatedly slipped off the track, the transmission has been not shifting as crisp as it should. Its a good car if you get on that has been taken care of. Handles well, but there is a lack of power. AWD system works great in MN winters. Would buy this car again, but make sure the timing belt has been changed!!! If it isnt, you can bend a valve and it will be $3000 later before it will be back on the road.

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  My beloved mechanical trainwreck - 2003 Audi A4
  By ironlion49 - March 6 - 6:36 pm

  I love this car. I also hate this car. Bought it with 43,000 miles on it, and 5k later had to replace the clutch (of course not under warranty). Since then, traction control cpu has failed (dealership fails repeatedly to fix it), THREE ignition coils have failed (one on vacation)... the list goes on. I cringe when the car so much as shudders now- it feels as though the things just waiting for the worst possible moment to break. Styling is great, fuel economy is decent, interior comfort and design is stellar. Turbo lag is ridiculous- the power delay is embarrassingly pronounced. The mechanical issues are too much. This has soured my opinion of Audi- my next car will not be an Audi.