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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  The Dream Car - 1997 Audi A4
  By Chris Hernandez - August 26 - 5:53 am

  From the first day that I test drove the Audi I fell in love with it. Performance, luxury and comfort were all as promised. Its very fun to drive and exterior is a work of art. Thanks Audi for making great cars year after year.

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  I bought it not knowing what it needed... - 2005 Audi S4
  By Finn Quinlan - August 24 - 8:11 pm

  Let me start this review by saying wow. This car is literally awesome and every ounce of performance and style is there. Im 66" and with the seat all the way back lol i have great leg and head room in my avant. I think the design is honestly pretty poor on the interior side because when i have my seat back all the way and the passenger is getting comfortable with the seat but not all the way back. The back seats literally have no leg room. I think if they had given just 4 inches of the back seats and moved them back about 4" it would be fine. The trunk is still huge anyway. I bought it as my first car at 17 years old, i know now that Ive bought a gem and i love the car extremely. I bought it with minor cosmetic problems but i knew that when i bought it for a steal. So far since Ive had it, Ive driven it for 6 fun-filled and gas guzzled days and then it broke. It was leaking anti freeze and had almost no oil in it, had in known that before i made the purchase, id own a sedan s4. Even with that, i love the avant and would never trade it for a sedan ever. Never ever. Im already rebuilding the entire engine so hopefully after this the car is in mint condition which it should be and ill drive it till the wheels fall off.

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  The best luxury sedan - 2016 Audi A6
  By imran saeed - August 24 - 11:45 am

  If you are looking for a sports sedan, than this is it. I have test driven all the German sedans (mid size) and the CTs, and this is by far the best. Fit and finish is exemplary. Ride is excellent and the transmission some how knows what you are thinking. I can go on and on, but really, if you are looking to purchase or lease one, you will not be sorry.

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  Dont Do It - 1998 Audi A4
  By RJ - August 24 - 7:47 am

  I loved driving this car. After a while, things started going wrong. Swing arms, tie rods, wheel bearings, speed sensors... this car cost me thousands over 4 years - just to keep it on the road!! Quattro is amazing and this car is extremely fun to drive. Beware, though, because it will cost you a fortune in the long run. I will never buy Audi (or European for that matter) again. Audi has destroyed my faith in "German engineering" - or lack thereof.

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  A Great Automobile - 2006 Audi A4
  By Neil - August 22 - 7:44 pm

  My beauty is Moro Blue with beige interior. Options include premium pkg, technology pkg, sport pkg, vavona birch trim, Bose XM stereo. This is my second A4, the first was an Amulet Red 2002 1.8T w/manual shifter (I miss that color, wish it was still available). So Cals stop and go traffic necessitated my first automatic in 27 years. Although I miss a manual at times, I love the CVTs seamless shifting. After 17 months of truly enjoyable driving, this car has been flawless and it seems to get better with each mile driven. The car adapts to your driving style and fits like a glove. I love passing those monster SUVs getting 12 mpg, while Im averaging 35 mpg! This A4 is a great automobile.

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  Tempest In A Tea Cup - 2007 Audi A4
  By Sean - August 22 - 3:30 am

  Being a previous owner of a Passat, I was not particularly excited about taking delivery of this car. I was a BMW zealot (and still have a late model bimmer parked next to the Audi) but got excited, very excited about driving this car! The Quattro is a godsend - much better than X-drive. The fit and finish is superb. The creature comforts well matched. This car is a winner. Its dichotomous nature is aptly suited to both the executive who thinks he could drive in a rally and to the retiree who likes a sport tuned suspension with the confidence of knowing they have all-wheel ability. One will not be disappointed with this car. Enjoy and cheers.

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  A true sports wagon - 2008 Audi A4
  By Keith - August 21 - 12:02 pm

  Looked for a wagon (not SUV) with some style and performance, settled on the A4 with 6-spd and am extremely happy so far. This car is as fun to drive as my 325i (and much more than my CLK430) and can carry stuff to boot. I have had no reliability issues after 3 weeks. I know this isnt the final word, but no horror stories. So far I get about 25 mpg around town (suburbs, not city) and more like 29 hwy, a little less if I feel like having fun. It is not really a lightweight car so this seems acceptable. Interior is very quiet and comfortable, my first 5-hour road trip flew by. Cant wait to see what quattro can do in the snow.

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  Audi Q5 2.0 - 2017 Audi Q5
  By CANDICE MARR - August 21 - 2:37 am

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  Drop the 3 and the C, go for an A! - 2004 Audi A4
  By Gato - August 19 - 9:06 pm

  I bought my A4 Ultrasport used with about 36000 miles, and since June Ive added another 2500. I drive all over the the Southeast and I love it, good gas mileage balanced with good performance. I do agree though it lacks in low end torque, nothing a light ecu upgrade cant solve. I want to design cars, so Im pretty critical when it comes to automobiles. After driving a E320 for a while, I joined the Audi revolution. In my search, I drove 3 series models, IS 300, C320/230 K, and the T5 Volvo S40. In the end I found the Audi was the best. Cheaper upkeep than the other Germans, and better build quality than Volvo and Lexus. Join The AUDI revolution!

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  Excellent Automobile Experience - 2002 Audi A4
  By jasonturboA4 - August 19 - 4:40 pm

  The 2002 All-new Audi A4 design is spectacular. At first, it looks and feels larger than the older body styles (2001 and beyond.) The hp has been increased and I can definately tell the difference. I bought the 5 speed (cause of the sportiness) and it really performs! The 1.8T is all the power you need, unless you need more top end speed (130+.)