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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  One classy ride - 2002 Audi A4
  By superstation - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Door shuts like no other, if ure used to closing Japanese car doors, ud have to close this cars door a couple of times. 4 Heated Seats, individually variable. Steering is precise and on-track.

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  Many to choose from, but only ONE to buy - 2002 Audi A4
  By GrayMatter - May 13 - 10:00 am

  It came down to the Audi A4 1.8t, BMW 325i, and Mercedes C240, with the same order in price, cheapest to most expensive. 1.8t ran about 30k loaded, 325i 37k loaded, and C240 over 40k loaded. What made it easy was the fact that the A4 trumped the rest of the competition with its beautiful and classy interior! Im sorry, but the C-Class is quite cheaply made interior wise, and the Bimmer was looking more and more dated. Very solid ride, typicaly Teutonic. Must see in person, very muscular and athletic looking, handles like its on rails.

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  Hands Down... This is Audis Best Yet! - 2005 Audi A6
  By One Happy Owner - May 13 - 3:35 am

  This is my third Audi dating back to 98 and now the all new 05 A-6. Ive never been let down but honestly always lifted up with how much Audi seems to fine tune the already finely tuned vehicle. This new A-6 is truly a masterpiece. I test drove the 530 and 300 series cedes and theres just no comparison.The Beemer may have had a slight advantage with steering at slower speeds but that was absolutely where it stops for comparisons sake. You just cant match the quattro with anything. Audi is lightyears ahead of any all-wheel competition and the comfort and solidness you feel is really unlike any driving experience. The MMI is such a breeze and so functional too. Way to go Audi. Very Nice

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  Audi A6 - 2002 Audi A6
  By Rayden003 - May 12 - 11:45 pm

  I have read some Bulletin Board comments regarding some reliability problems with the Audi A6. My experience has been completely opposite. It is the most reliable and well-built car I have owned. My last car was an Acura TL, also a very reliable car, but the Audi came out ahead on almost every detail. Bought it new in 2002 and after 42,000 miles have never had a single problem.

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  Love is this... - 2005 Audi TT
  By Mansoor - May 12 - 9:40 pm

  After I got this car as a gift from my parents I was excited. They had to suffer because on weekends instead of going home, I take long trips to unknown places in Texas. I just love how I can trust this car in the middle of nowhere. No one can take it from me. This car is a magic on the empty highways on middle Texas. I am taking this car to Seattle from Austin, TX in two days and looking forward to the fun I will have. Just a delight, you will love how the world looks from the inside of this beauty. Believe me, you will fall in love with this car even if you dont want to.

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  Constant Improvements - 2005 Audi A4
  By Ronald S. Ross - May 12 - 4:40 pm

  My fifth Audi...solid, thoughtful in small touches, far more torque than expected. I am delighted. having owned an A6 and two allroads plus an S4 Avant, this car is a delight for much less money.

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  Fun to drive by excellence - 2005 Audi TT
  By bernard mollet - May 10 - 1:41 am

  Very powerful, fun to drive, very exclusive design, one of the best third car you can imagine to drive on the sunshine

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  Best car Ive owned - 2005 Audi A8
  By Bo - May 8 - 1:08 am

  This is easily my favorite owned car- beautiful from every angle, performance to beat sports coupes, luxury that would stun a king. I just smile every time I look back at the car, which is often.

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  Wow and Wowee... - 2002 Audi A4
  By triangleguy - May 7 - 10:00 am

  This car far exceeded my expectations and everything Id read. I didnt think Id go for one but when I drove the 02 Passat and then the 02 1.8T, I knew that the Audi was for me. Tighter, smaller, quicker, and, yeah, more money. Dont believe what everyone says that the Passat is a better value: drive both to see what suits your driving style, etc. best. Dont get me wrong: my 99 Passat was terrific but this is car is "Wow!" The quality of craftsmanship in this car is incredible.

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  So far, exceeding all expectations and then som - 2014 Audi A4
  By G. Beck - May 4 - 6:54 pm

  This is one fine example of German automotive engineering and technology. In the month Ive had it, its delivered everything it promised, and a lot more. Cant say enough good things about this car. Handles wonderfully, no matter what mode its in. I prefer sports mode because it suits my driving style best, but ordinary Drive mode is nice when just cruising on the freeway and getting 30+mpg. Im averaging 29 miles per gallon, city and freeway, much better than expected and far exceeding what my V6 Honda ever got, even with cylinder deactivation. Accelerates very smoothly, just a hint of a pause and then it kind of "jumps " off the line and up to speed seemingly instantly. Feels much faster than what is written, and probably is. Definitely under 6 seconds to 60mph, but thats not what they say. Very happy with the transission and wouldnt have got the car with a CVT, so it was a Quattro or a different make. A bit hard to find in my targeted budget range, with the trim and color I wanted, but persistence, hard work, and determination paid off....and the willingness to travel over a hundred miles. Kudos to Circle Audi of Long Beach for sending me a Uber ride to get there, and treating me well at the dealer. No "over the top" selling with these guys, straight to the point and excellent product knowledge, whats you definitely want in a salesperson. I laid out my specs to them, they found me the perfect car right away and got me the kind of deal I was happy with. Such a great deal I dont want to say what it is, and its a certified pre-owned Audi with some warranty, always a plus with a used car. Thought I would miss my old car, and I do a little, but Ive found a new love and her name is Audi Quattro. Im hooked and as long as maintainance is low and the car remains dependable, Ill be in Audis for the foreseeable future. All the car reviews of this car were spot on, and maybe even a little underwhelming for this car. I cant really say anything negative about any aspect of the vehicle, only that the steering is a bit too soft at times and combine that ease of steering with how well the car moves and you have to be very careful not to change lanes by mistake because you turned your writ a half centimeter...its that precise and easy to turn. Sport mode firms it up a bit, but still very effortless and I like more of a road feel in my hands. I like to drive, not be driven by my car. This car has both available, which is nice. Electronics were simple to learn, navigation is so precise its scary, and nothing feels cheap and not corners seem cut, to save a few bucks and annoy the consumer. Im a big fan of companies wh "tighten all the bolts" and arent lazy, and cheap, about quality. Nothing rattles, and exterior noise is virtually eliminated. Engine has a nice little growl to it thats not over the top, but just loud enough to tell you that its no ordinary 4 cylinder under the hood. No sound of the turbo at all, which is really amazing, you really dont know its there until the toque really kicks in and speed jumps up pretty fast. I have to really pay attention, or I may be getting speeding tickets because you definitely dont feel the high speed, and 65 doesnt feel all that different from 100....not that Ive ever gone that fast, but to illustrate.... Thanks Audi for a fine automobile. Im very happy with it so far.