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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  Jetta with the name Audi on the grille - 2008 Audi A4
  By WB - January 1 - 3:57 pm

  I have an 04 Jetta and im completely unhappy with it, probably because I have owned volvos before. I have had this car for about 4 days now and when I get into the car, I feel like I am in the Jetta. The console is still small, with the small cup holders underneath, the ignition jingle never stops until both the driver and passenger have thier sealt belts on, and just all the little things about the Jetta are in A4 that would make you skeptical to pay $41,000 for it. The turbo charger has a delay when u push on the accelerator. I do have to say though, that the seats are comfortable and the styling outside is excellent.

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  Not a bad car - 2007 Audi S8
  By edward - December 31 - 8:40 pm

  I wanted a car that was good in the snow but also had good performance, this fits the bill.

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  Smooth TT - 2001 Audi TT
  By Smooth TT - December 31 - 5:12 pm

  My Audi TT is joy to drive! I purchased my TT in Mar 2006 with 36,000 miles. The handling is amazing! The turbo lag takes getting use to however, once you master the intricacies of driving the TT you will truly enjoy the full driving experience.

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  Love my S4 - 2001 Audi S4
  By DaveP - December 31 - 2:45 pm

  This car is fun to drive, plenty of acceleration. Great in the snow, and better than expected MPG for a V6 Turbo.

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  Happy TT Driver - 2008 Audi TT
  By FLKUW - December 30 - 8:26 pm

  I am a previous 2003 TT roadster owner and I was very happy with this car. However, the improvements of the 2008 made it a car I had to have. I was reluctant to give up my turbo to the v6 but I have to say I have not missed it much. This car still has quick pickup and speed whenever I need it. I love the optional navigation, ipod interface, and bluetooth. I also love the manageability of the cars computer view on the console. I shopped for many months before purchasing a new car and it came down to the Z06 and the TT. Yeah, some V8 corvette lover is laughing at me right now but bang for the buck I got the better car. I have been an owner of both cars and in the end best car won.

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  A great ride - 1998 Audi A4
  By coloradoquattro - December 30 - 10:35 am

  The Audi A4 has been the best car that I have ever owned. It is the perfect balance between performance and economy. I regularly get 30 mpg, but it certainly doesnt drive like an economy car. The turbo gives it power at high altitude that you just cant get with a normally aspirated 4 cylinder engine. Quattro all-wheel drive keeps it on the road in all weather conditions. It has provided 165,000 miles of trouble free driving with only routine maintenance. I havent abused it, but I dont baby it either. Never a dull moment.

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  Easiest $60K choice Ive ever made! - 2008 Audi S5
  By S5 Chicago - December 29 - 1:59 am

  To be a first time Audi owner with a 2008 S5 is the best car experience Ive ever had. The car is absolutely stunning from any angle and light setting. I have soccer moms looking at the car at stop lights! Not very easy to get used to I might add. The performance and V8 sound more than equal its stunning looks. Interior Fit and Finish are Audis best, and the MMI is easy to use and informational. The Bang & Olufsen stereo is amazing, but its usually muted since I love hearing the V8 engine noises inside the cabin, and also with the windows down.

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  Enjoy it, but.... - 2000 Audi A6
  By sdem - December 28 - 8:03 pm

  We bought our Wagon 4 1/2 years ago and weve really enjoyed the styling and room it provides. As mentioned previously, the engine could have had more power but the Ttronic gives you the ability to get creative on the road. Great for hauling and it still looks great but the cost of minor problems is a bit much. we have 81k and im debating selling or trading in just because i worry about whats to come. again, i love the german styling, but my japanese vehicle is 3 years older and i feel safer on long trips in it rather than the audi.

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  Be Careful of Automatic Transmission - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By connveteran - December 28 - 7:19 pm

  The ZF Automatic Transmission is known to have MAJOR problems in this car. Audi apparently was aware that the 2001-2004 Allroads had bad transmissions but never did a recall The first thing to go is Reverse Gear. It slips when going uphill backwards. Reverse might be okay on level ground but not on inclines/hills. Its a very costly $4,000+ repair and you cant replace it with a used transmission because that one will also probably go bad. It must be rebuilt. Audi changed the transmission in 2004 or 2005 because they were that bad.

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  A6 Quatam Leap.... - 2016 Audi A6
  By audinorcal - December 28 - 5:54 am

  Great, simple, muscular and "light catching" design with an interior that will stunningly surround and sooth you. The precision and quality of the interior and its fit are truly reflective of exceptional thought and engineering. The car holds its grip on the road and curves; rides with extreme comfort, and acceleration when needed is precise and perky. You wont ever notice when the 8 speed tiptronic transmission is shifting. If you are into a lot of tech, you wont be displeased. And if you are an average person, you wont be overwhelmed. The infotainment system in the center console is very driver-oriented and one you get familiar with everything it does (and you probably wont get that far, it does so much!) you barely need to take your eye off the road to navigate the system. The driver display (between the gauges) is awesome and easily and efficiently keeps you, the driver, oriented as to a variety of systems in the car (including the radio, media, navigation, fuel consumption and so many other things), all easily accessed by the steering wheel buttons. Fuel efficiency is great, especially with a car with this much muscle. Although I am not a speed demon and am past the age of wanting to take the car next to me at the stoplight off the line every chance I get, I can attest to this amazing six-cylinder engines ability to get you from zero to sixty in 5.2 seconds. Its an amazing car, amazingly and thoughtfully engineered in every detail. I know that the Japanese inspired and designed luxury brands are great, but they just dont seem to have that Germanic edge that the Audi brand possesses. I drove a lot of other cars before I got behind the wheel of a 2016 A6, and I was sold before I even pushed the start engine button. And if you are looking for real quality in this category, you will find the A6 3.0 Quattro to be a car of real comparative value to other cars in the $60k-$70k price range.