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 to drive and practical - 2001 Audi A4
  By Christian - February 6 - 9:50 pm

  This is one of the rare fun to drive and practical cars out there. The extra cargo capacity comes in handy when its time to go to the mountain with the kids...

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  allroad...allright! - 2005 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Luis Ruiz and Molly - February 6 - 4:13 pm

  My wife and I purchased an 2003 allroad with 31K miles. This is my second Audi, we have an 98 A4 in the family. Our two bulldogs love the cargo area, and my wife adores the seat warmers. I love the 40-60 MPH acceleration, although sometimes from stop-start is hesitates a little. We are really happy with the car eventhough we have owned her for only three days.

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  Fantastic Car - 2006 Audi A6
  By Brian - February 2 - 9:02 pm

  This is my second Audi. The new A6 is outstanding and fun to drive. So far it has been picture perfect.

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  Fun car to drive - 2003 Audi A4
  By adnan - February 1 - 2:00 am

  This is one of the best cars that I have driven. I had to choose between Acura 3.2 TL type s or Audi A4 and I picked the A4.

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  Wonderful Saloon - 2005 Audi A6
  By Alexandra Caras - February 1 - 1:08 am

  This is a beautifully executed automobile- I looked at the 545i Sport and the E-500 4Matic, but the A6 4.2 just blew the competition away. It has the most jewel- like interior of the bunch, the best, most timeless style, and the most comfortable cruising, yet slightly hard-edged, performance. Great features- nice extras like power start and electric glovebox, and wonderful navigation and MMI systems.

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  Happy in Hampstead - 2003 Audi A4
  By robrr44 - January 29 - 1:49 am

  This is one solid car! The handling and responsiveness are unmatched. The stock 1.8T is a little lacking in the power category but that was solved with $300 and a chip upgrade performed by my local performance shop. I obviously bought used but have since put on 18,000 miles with no problems. My only gripe is with the electrical system as I have replaced at least 5 bulbs in the past 9 months. But they are DIY and dont cost much so worth the performance, handling, and style of this pure performance machine. BMWho? This wont be my last Audi.

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  absolutely loving it ! - 2016 Audi Q5
  By ethlu3 - January 28 - 7:16 pm

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  Awesome Car - 2007 Audi A8
  By Brian Luedtke - January 27 - 4:40 am

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  tight ride - 2006 Audi A6
  By linco - January 25 - 6:36 pm

  This Audi is refined yet subtle. Those around you cannot appreciate this cars ability. Wolf in sheeps sheet metal.

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  Ds S4 - 1994 Audi S4
  By Dcasanovas - January 24 - 11:46 am

  I have owned my pearl white 94 S4 for two years now and couldnt be happier. Prior I had owned a black 94 S4 which I also loved and I believe was instrumental to my survival of a serious accident. Based on that, I purchased my current S4. It is fun to drive, comfortable and, for a turbo charged car offers great gas mileage (I have gotten 500 miles/tank on long distance- highway drives). While my vehicle currently has 191,000 miles (it is my daily driver) and I realize I will need to purchase something newer at some point I will never get rid of this car.