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:

• 

  Former Wrangler Owner - 2003 Audi A4
  By saramarie - March 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought my A4 and immediatly drove it the 1600 miles home. The car was so comfortable my passanger and I barely noticed driving over 8 hours a day. It handles wonderfully in rain and snow. I got the premium package and cold weather package for around 28k, great deal!

• 

  Ultimate Snow Car - 2001 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Roberto - March 19 - 4:13 pm

  I have lived in Colorado Ski Country for 47 years and have driven Jeeps, Landrovers, Ford Explorers, BMWs and ugh, yes even a Mercedes. The Audi Allroad with Michelin snow tires is the finest handling snow car in the world! Really!! I drive from Denver to Leadville and to Aspen every week during the winter and navigate multiple 11,000 and 12,00 foot passes all winter; even during the height of three and four foot snowstorms. Trust me, this car has saved us from serious injury at least twice. However, as I approach 90,000 miles, Im getting very nervous that my 100,000 warrantly is nearing its end.Only serious problem has been the hydraulics. Theyve been replaced three times on warranty.

• 

  Basic and Bold - 2006 Audi A3
  By Slax - March 19 - 12:56 am

  After three trips to the dealership, test drives of the manual, DSG, Base, Sport and Premium packages, I came away with a base model with 6-Speed MT and Open Sky. In the end, the base model was such a great value, I couldnt justify spending thousands more for a couple more bells and whistles. This was after driving the Saab 9-2X (they would have had to pay me to buy that one) and Volvo S40 (good value and affordable option pkgs, but not even close on the "wow" and driving fronts). If you are looking for something in the $25-30K range, you HAVE to at least drive this car. If they dont have the exact one you want, you can order it from the factory through the dealership like I did.

• 

  Im in love... - 2017 Audi Q5
  By Kimberly Matthews - March 17 - 7:58 pm

  My Q5 is gorgeous -- inside and out and I can hardly wait to drive it every day! It is such a pleasure to drive. Absolutely love the panoramic sun roof! Please note that I have only owned this car for one month so I cannot rate its reliability or maintenance costs (I left it on the default rating of OK or NA). However, with regard to everything else it is a perfect fit for me. I wanted a smaller SUV that was not a gas guzzler but was capable of towing my horse trailer but was also a little sporty. I have not towed with it because it was a CPO and no tow package included. Manual says it can tow up to 4500 lbs and the reviews say the car tows easily. (My aluminum 2-horse trailer weighs 2000 lbs and my horse weighs about 1200 which means I can tow with 2 horses in the trailer which is perfect!)

• 

  Awesome Audi A7 - 2016 Audi A7
  By Steven Quickstad - March 15 - 8:37 pm

• 

  First Sedan in 20 Years! - 2017 Audi A4
  By Sandy Hughes - March 15 - 12:46 am

  In 2011, I was beginning to look around for a new car, I liked what I drove, but no longer needed a mini-van or a crossover. Test drove a BMW and a Ford. The Expedition wasnt any thing special, and the BMW salesman was so snooty that wouldnt have bought a soda from him. My husband suggesting looking at the Audi dealership. I wasnt too thrilled, he had a 1985 Audi when we first married, and it wasnt very reliable. Imagine my surprise when I test drove a 2012 Q5. It was fabulous, never had any trouble with it, decent gas mileage and was fun to drive. After 4.5 years with my Q5 I felt like it was time to trade it in while I had a lot of equity in it (Retained its value very well ) The new A4 was just starting to be talked about. I test drove one of the first ones my dealership got, and feel in love. It handles exceptionally well, I can zip around those land yachts! I am equally impressed with the gas mileage - about 30 mpg in mixed trips. It is a different feeling getting in a car lower than a SUV, but I have gotten used to it. Very pleased with this model.

• 

  Dont buy this car - 2000 Audi A4
  By Dede - March 14 - 7:20 pm

  I bought my Audi A4 1.8T in 2000 new. Over the last 7 years of ownership (and 69,000 miles) I have had to replace different sensors on the engine 7 different times, the last, just 2 weeks ago at $700 for two oxygen sensors. Just 4 days later I was in Audi service again for a hose that needed to be ordered, and a total of $170 would be needed. I was so mad I sent my Audi to the used car auction. I also had to replace brake pads every 11,000 miles. I thought this was also unreasonable. I averaged between $800 and $1,000 a year for maintenance and have decided this car is not worth owning.

• 

  Sharp car that is fun to drive - 2007 Audi S4
  By DKGESQ - March 14 - 2:54 pm

  Bought this car a few months ago and really enjoy the V8 power on tap and the crisp handling. This is my first Audi and I have been very impressed. The gas mileage is below average, but I knew this going in and I dont think the car should be penalized for it.

• 

  Best Car I Have EVER Driven - 2008 Audi TT
  By WillieJ - March 13 - 6:25 pm

  I drove this car today at work and I have to say its the best car I have ever driven in my life. Its really solid, stable in the corners, pretty good ride for a sports car with performance tires. The exterior design is exceptional. Plenty of interior room for me, being 61"

• 

  6 months and going strong - 2007 Audi A3
  By George Ohio - March 11 - 6:49 pm

  After 6 months and various trips and weather conditions the DSG A3 keeps going strong. With regular DSG manual shift mode or "S" auto mode we see 24-26 MPG regularly. Unsolicited guests comment on the smooth shifts and strong acceleration. 80 MPH comes too easily on crowded highway jaunts with minimal road noise - keep an eye on the speedometer in Ohio. Snow saw the traction control readily as the wide Pirellis floated and spun. May need winter snows if really interested. Quattro would be nice with the 2.0T. Saw the "check engine light" after a severe temp swing but several key starts apparently reset it before the dealer got a shot. Near 7000 miles and no warranty returns. Fun and sporty.