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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  Very Impressed... - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By rmitsuda - May 9 - 10:00 am

  I just picked up a 2002 Audi allroad quattro this week, and I couldnt be happier with its performance and elegant interior. Externally, its one of the best looking cars are the road - wagon or sedan. The car handles very well. The only drawback with the allroad is the poor fuel economy. Nevertheless, the car is amazing. After I had considered many SUVs (i.e. X5, ML 320, RX 300, GX 470), Im very glad I decided to get the allroad. Its aggressive styling, performance & utility made it the best option for my family. Rich Torrance, CA

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  Our awesome Audi A4 ! - 2002 Audi A4
  By J.S. - May 9 - 10:00 am

  Drives like a dream! So smooth and quite! If you are considering a new car in this class , you owe it to yourself to test drive the A4. We find ourselves going places just as an excuse to experience the fun of driving it. We love it!!!

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  A lot of car but a lot of money - 2017 Audi Q7
  By pensman - May 8 - 8:26 pm

  This is really an adult car and not a kid carrier. I went for the adaptive chassis which gives the Q7 amazing road holding. This car is loaded with technology. Audi should hold classes the way Apple does to familiarize the owner with everything this car is capable of doing. You have the ability to control all the cameras; that means you can get front, rear, side, and 360 degree views at will. The drivers seat is really a cockpit seat giving you access to heads up technology, and ability to control the dashboard display to meet your immediate needs whether it be fuel consumption or directional maps. The only real downside to the car is storage. The glove compartment is barely able to hold the manuals; and the center console might store a pack of gum. If you drop all the rear seats then you can fit in groceries or a set of golf clubs. I would urge you to purchase the extended warranty as everything in this car is digital or electronic, including the shift; and that will take a bit of time to adjust to. The only thing that still has a rotating knob is the radio volume on the steering wheel. Its a good that that through MyAudi online that you can view a number of instructional videos that help explain the cars technology. And when driving the car, be careful, because it is so quiet that you can and will exceed the posted speed limits. A great driving experience but it is an expensive driving experience when you have the prestige package.

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  Fast, Rough and Thirsty - 2006 Audi S4
  By Brian - May 8 - 3:31 pm

  One of the fastest cars I have ever owned (and I like fast expensive cars), a blast to drive for fun, but after a year I cant live with it anymore. A fifteen gallon tank and 15-18 miles to the gallon means filling up every other day. At 80 mph the car is turning 3200 rpm and while the suspension feels great on back roads, on the highway (where I spend too much time) the suspension makes small road imperfections feel like speed bumps. I know I wont get much sympathy here, but when talking on the cell phone on the highway, road imperfections make my voice warble, not good when talking to clients. A GREAT weekend car, but a tough daily driver.

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  Good buy - 2003 Audi A4
  By Mark H - May 8 - 3:17 pm

  If it werent for the annoying electrical problems (3 headlight and 2 turn signal burnouts) Id rate the reliability excellent. The A4 is fun to drive, has decent gas mileage and the quality of build is excellent. It handles wonderfully and even with the small engine, it has plenty of zip in all situations. I love the surefooted AWD especially in our Montana winters. Ill definitely buy Audi again.

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  First months of ownership - 2007 Audi S4
  By RX Express - May 6 - 10:32 pm

  This is my first Audi/German car. I was looking for a fun, safe, classy car that would accommodate my 6 year old twins. I looked at all cars under 60k. The S4 fulfilled all my expectations and more. I still find new features on the car, i.e. the way it channels rain over the car not on the side windows and the memory of seat, mirror and climate settings tied to the remote. The build quality is excellent. It is so solid. The speed is addictive. Cornering is phenomenal. Its limits cannot be safely explored on the street. I am a quattro convert.

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  Best In Class - 2007 Audi A3
  By Matt - May 6 - 9:45 am

  This fall will be two years in my A3 and this car is the best small car I have ever owned. Great all season driver!!

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  Fun Meets Practical - 2005 Audi A4
  By A Clark - May 5 - 10:00 am

  The minute I got behind the wheel of this car was the minute I fell in love. The drivers seat is so comfortable that if you didnt know you were in a car, you would swear you were sitting in a leather recliner. As for performance, boy does this car deliver! Not only does it excelerate with ease and give you that sporty engine rev but it also handles well on any type of road. The sport and triptonic features are so easy to use that they put the fun back in driving an automatic. As with all recent Audi styles, you feel protected on all sides without feeling like you are driving a tank. Not only is this car a joy to drive (especially at high speeds) it

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  So far, so good - 1997 Audi A4
  By jonah5 - May 4 - 10:50 am

  I bought this car new in 1997 and has thankfully been very reliable. Around 1997 I lowered the car with new springs and shocks but otherwise left it stock. Just changed the timing belt a year ago, but other than that no major mechanical issues. I changed the brake pads myself around 60,000 miles (the easiest and fastest brakes Ive ever done). The exhaust finally rusted out by the flextube so Ive installed a new Borla exhaust. Great drive, still feels full of quality, no rust, paint looks new after a wash. No regrets buying this car.

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  Pretty to look at, but dont buy it! - 2006 Audi A3
  By sfo_pete - May 3 - 11:53 pm

  Great car, but not a month goes by without the check engine light coming on. 2 air conditioning compressors, misfiring cylinders, wont eject CDs, 1 qt of oil every 4K miles, 2 coolant leaks, leaking turbo inlet and seals, and on and on... I will NEVER buy another Audi, what a giant let down!