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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  Great Blend of Fun and Fuel Economy - 2011 Audi A3
  By drivetime99 - September 9 - 9:13 pm

  I recently bought an A3 TDI and have enjoyed the first 2k miles. 35 mpg with fairly aggressive mixed city/hwy driving. I like not having to baby it to get good mileage. The car is very stable and composed at highway speeds and in the daily S. Florida rainstorms. If you test drive it, look for two things. 1) Diesel motor tick. It has such a quiet cabin that you may not hear it in a test drive. Youll hear it in your driveway though. Make sure it is not an issue for you. 2) Its truly an automated manual transmission it "catches" when coming to a slow stop, just like a manual does. Those not used to manuals may not like the feel. I love it though and am very happy with the purchase.

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  2011 Audi S4 Premium Plus with S Tiptronic - 2011 Audi S4
  By bdknights - September 9 - 7:44 am

  I just purchased this car as a CPO with 7700 miles on it. It is Meteor Gray with black/red interior. Options include the Nappa leather package, Bang & Olufsen stereo, Pirelli P-Zeros, and iPod connection. The performance of the vehicle is incredible at every level. I sold a 04 BMW M3 and 02 Porsche 911 because I needed an AWD vehicle. The S4 performs equally or better than both of those vehicles. Power is instantaneous and shifting is smooth and controlled. Interior design is well laid out with easy access to controls. The MMI system takes a little getting used to but overall it functions well once it is learned.

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  Sporty car, great interior, great for family - 2012 Audi A6
  By timct - September 5 - 6:40 am

  This is my first German car and am very happy so far. I compared the new A6 to 535xi and Infiniti M. The A6s interior was by far the best of the three - very comfortable seats, awesome high tech features, and enough room for 3 kids in the back. MMI/voice system works much better than the BMWs version. Great fuel efficiency on highway, much better than 28 mpg rated. One of best features is adaptive cruise control, which works amazingly well. One downside in this particular vehicle was that it was built and sold with a "2.0T" badge on rear and was also sold without the appropriate rear view camera chip, both items which the dealer will address. Braking a tad longer than on my 10 MDX.

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  Love my Audi! - 2010 Audi Q5
  By 33egg - September 4 - 4:19 pm

  First time Audi owner and absolutely love the Q5. Great gas mileage, about 27 miles on highway with premium gas. No problems with the vehicle to date. Excellent paint job and easy to keep clean. Highly recommend this vehicle.

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  Transmission problem on new car - 2012 Audi A4
  By rybalko - August 25 - 2:35 pm

  Car just has 400 miles on it, and first time I found the problem with the trasmission when stuck in traffic. I feel a strong bump when remove a foot from brake and push a gaz pedal. I took it to a local Audi dealer in Norwell. They said that this is a characteristic of a new 2012 A4 transmission and that this is how this new transmission was design, which sounds like BS. Supposed to take it back to Bernardi Audi, where I got it from to see what they can found. Otherwize it runs OK.

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  Wish I had never bought an A4 - 2011 Audi A3
  By hadalotofcars - August 24 - 6:01 pm

  Unfortunately, I bought a 2010 A4 CVT (no CVT for me anymore). I was so dissatisfied with the car we traded it with just under 1000 miles for a Jetta Wolfsburg turbo. A little over a year later, the VW was traded for a CRV and we bought an A3 outright. It was a bit of a gamble - driving to Atlanta from Orlando to pick it up - but well worth the journey. We bought it certified with 4K miles and turned around and drove it home. A little fatigued we didnt fully appreciate the long trip (and the road noise is a little, I stress little, much) but now that were back home were tickled. The manual is responsive, the steering firm, the look is mature but not pretentious. This is a drivers car!!

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  4 wonderful cylinders - 2012 Audi Q5
  By geezer113 - August 24 - 2:29 pm

  The 2.0T knocks the socks off most V6s. Off the line and anywhere in the RPM curve. The 8 speed transmission is a huge part of this performance, but I love every sound this car makes and driving it is a pure pleasure. Highway miles are exactly as promised at 27mpg, and road noise is minimal. Go for the 2.0T and never look back. The panoramic sun roof is amazing and rolling over uneven pavement provokes zero body noises. This is a solid car.

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  Replacement for my Beloved Audi Allroad - 2011 Audi Q5
  By reddingct - August 17 - 4:09 pm

  After driving (and loving) my Audi Allroad for 6 years - I was looking for a replacement. Didnt expect to convert to the "Q" but after looking at my alternatives outside of Audi I became a believer. Had looked at the BMW X6 (great drive but too expensive for what you get) as well as the Volvo XC70 (only Allroad alternative...but not) and new Porshe Cayenne (no GTS) - but kept coming back to Audi (this is my 6th). I finally sat in a Q5 and realized what a good fit it was. Roomy interior (no kids so back seat doesnt impact me) - and enough storage. I opted for the 3.2 engine as I highway drive and need the power. Inside quality/design/technology are pure Audi. Ride is smooth and quiet.

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  Expectation Fulfilled - 2012 Audi Q5
  By wogbe1 - August 16 - 8:09 pm

  I custom ordered a White/Cinnamon Q5 2.0T Premium Plus for my wife, which we took delivery of on July 30th. The car has meet our every expectation for comfort, utility, handling, and ride quality. The only thing missing is the backup cameras computer chip, which we were told is months behind in production from the Japanese supplier due to the tsunami. Despite an ok power rating of 211bhp, the car is very torquey. So, off-the-line acceleration and passing power are excellent. We got the B&O sound system, which sounds excellent and was worth the extra $750. My wife says that driving it feels like wearing a comfortable pair of jeans. When shes happy, Im happy.

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  German Engineering?..i get it now. - 2007 Audi A3
  By mikers6 - August 16 - 4:41 am

  As a 40 year old driver, i have had alot of vehicles, mostly American, some Asian. I purchased a 1 owner 80,000 mile 2007 A3 2.0T. It is the best car i have ever owned. for those of you driving arround in American or Japanese cars...you are really missing out on "real driving" this entry level Audi runs circles around the big 3s flagship cars. Fun to drive, reliable, quick, and Quality, Quality, Quality. I will now only consider European cars. And Audi is the best bang for your buck in quality, luxury, style and covers every need. At 80,000 now 95,000 miles it is mistaken for brand new by people on the street. No problums doing 50-70 miles 7 days a week. I LOVE THIS CAR!!