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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  Audi excellent vehicle - 2006 Audi A4
  By cesar - May 24 - 4:25 pm

  Ten days after getting my car I drove from Florida to Canada, I didnt have any problems. I enjoy driving this car so much that it only took me two days, I only stopped to eat and for fuel. This car is the best. BMWs are also beautiful cars but I like this car more because it shows more prestige and is more elegant. I cant wait for the B8 model.

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  Well satisfied - 2007 Audi Q7
  By 72804 - May 24 - 4:12 pm

  Had a steering column bind, would not adjust. Audi replaced column, works fine now. Mileage is better than I expected, 19.4. Find the cup holders some what clumsy to use. The Bluetooth is great. Had a 2005 Touareg that had front sensors and memory exit seat, miss both of those. Overall well satisfied.

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  Most solid Audi yet - 2007 Audi Q7
  By JohnD - May 23 - 12:45 pm

  Great build quality, this is a really solid vehicle from the heavy feel of the doors to the look and feel of the interior. This is my 4th Audi in a row but first SUV so I really looked at all the options. I think the Audi offers more class, refinement, and style than the rest of the crowd without any serious flaws. If you are not a snob but insist on German engineering and styling, the Q7 comes highly recommended.

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  Very smooth ride - 2006 Audi A3
  By Matthew - May 23 - 4:50 am

  It has the same engine as the A4 with a smaller, lighter chassis, so it is quick. I feel NO turbo lag at all -- amazing! I got the premium, cold weather and open sky packages. Seat heaters are great and premium makes this feel like a higher end car. I dont recommend the BOSE radio - not impressive during test drive and not worth it at $900. Im an audio guy but the standard one is really about the same. Ride is quite stiff even without the sport packages tight suspension - you decide if tighter is better. Audi has a bad reliability reputation, but this model is not new -- its been around in Europe for quite a while. Overall, a very refined machine.

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  My God, this thing is FAST!!! - 2006 Audi A3
  By fitz91701 - May 22 - 11:10 pm

  I traded an 02 Kia Rio Cinco for this A3. I have DSG and Open Sky as my only options, Lava Gray Pearl on Gray Cloth. Went on road trip from LA to Sacramento (and back) and it purred the whole time. 85 on cruise control and stil got right at 30 mpg (even with the grapevine). This car is worth every penny. It is the fastest car I have ever driven and I havent seen a single other one on the road yet. The only reason I gave it a 9 on comfort is because the center cosole seems huge, and it has the impression of being "tight". I should also mention that Entry and Exit is EXCELLENT (not climbing out of the Rio or a Honda - ie. not too low to the ground). I really love this car

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  Dont call it a wagon - 2003 Audi A4
  By notawagon - May 22 - 2:00 am

  An absolutely wonderful machine, and a wonderful buy. The avant is a perfect balance of sportiness, luxury, utility, safety, and fuel economy for the job.

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  The Greatest Sleeper - 2007 Audi A3
  By Haywood - May 21 - 10:43 pm

  I traded an 04 R32 for the A3 and havent been disappointed yet. It has good performance and is fun to drive fast or slow. DSG is just great.

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  the real TT review - 2001 Audi TT
  By TT in hawaii - May 21 - 10:00 am

  FYI: TT stands for "Tourist Trophy" Out of the many choices i had (S2000, Boxter, SLK 320, and Z3 3.0) the audi proved to be the winner. Nothing beets the all wheel drive quattro system, in no other car, i have i felt so incontrol (everychance i get, while in the pouring rain, ill speed up, rather than slow down. Let her rip. To hear the turbo spoon and the exhaust roar, makes others wonder, "Is that stock?" Audi seems to be the hidden treasure in the automotive industry. But all it takes is one test drive and youll be sold.

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  Good, if you can find a maintained one - 1996 Audi A4
  By J Wood - May 21 - 1:53 am

  I bought this from a good friend of mine. There were all the service records from new until 89k when I got it. Now at 107k I have replaced the cat converters ($100 - I got universal ones - they work FINE!), the alternator ($165), and the plugs and wires ($130). Thats it as far as maintenance. Now, if you want to keep this car affordable do the easy stuff yourself! Taking it to the dealer is a horrible idea - theres nothing magical about an Audi. I have spent hundreds more in extra modifications, but they werent necessary -) If I could do it over again though I would get a 1.8t or the 30v 2.8 (98 and up). The 12v in the 96 and 97, while reliable, is pretty slow.

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  Love my car - 2000 Audi A4
  By Happy4 - May 20 - 9:21 pm

  I bought my Audi new from the dealer and have enjoyed driving it for the past 6 1/2 years. I love the responsiveness of the engine, it is zippy and just a blast to drive. I have a stick shift. It has great traction on the road and in the snow. Repair-wise, I have not had anything terrible happen to my car. I had an electrical problem at about 2 years old, but once it was repaired, Ive been fine ever since, and I got a new radio out of that deal! I have not experienced problems with the brakes wearing out or anything like that. Now that I am over 60K miles I take it to a reliable local repair shop that is more convenient and less expensive. This is a great little car. Best car Ive ever had.