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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  Fun to drive, always gets me home! - 1998 Audi A4
  By TT3 - January 21 - 5:20 pm

  I bought this A4 new in 98 and the weak points Ive found are wheel bearings and the lower door trim moldings. The engine is as sweet as the day I bought it! Driving with Q is the only way Ill drive from now on, it never fails me. I treat my cars well and find they in turn treat me well. I have replaced two wheel bearings in the 165,000 miles Ive driven, did them myself. One wheel has been replaced but that was my fault and I just replaced my 3rd door trim molding, seems Audi got cheap making these. All in all Id give this car a solid "9". It drives in ANY weather and has better traction no matter what the conditions. Im just about to order a 2007 A4 if that tells you anything.

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  My First Audi - 2006 Audi A3
  By rickbrown - January 21 - 3:10 pm

  From the beginning, when the salesman showed me this Moro Pearl Blue A3 in the parking lot, I fell in love.The car had just come off the truck. The salesman & I both had to "unwrap" the vehicle. It was like opening a gift. Then there was the test drive. I had previously drove a manual A3 and like it OK, but this fully loaded automatic was quite impressive. I wanted a manual stick but after driving the A3 with the Triptronic transmission & shift paddles on the steering wheel, I was sold. The Quattro version wasnt due out until the fall, but I wasnt going to wait. The only little complaint is that the headlights are too bright for the oncoming motorist at night... they all flash their brights.

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  Great fun drive - 2002 Audi TT
  By VTN - January 20 - 5:52 pm

  Gets looks everywhere. In love with the turbo.Tremendous fun to drive. No comparison with the others. Very reliable and trouble free.

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  What? This has a back seat and hatch? - 2007 Audi A3
  By Bezor - January 20 - 10:50 am

  Torque steer is nearly absent, dive/squat is absent. Nice power, but could probably use another 30hp. Good pulling power down low for a turbo. Turbo lag is absent. DSG needs to be revised so that it holds the gear at redline in manual mode. Brakes are intially soft which dosent inspire much confidence. However, the car is extremely well balanced for a front wheel drive car and is very, very fun to drive. Rear cup holders are useless and frail. Otherwise the interior is very thoughtfully organized. Needs MP3 aux. input in base stereo.

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  Damn Good Car - 2003 Audi A4
  By Aram Aram - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my dolphin grey for about 8 months and have 23000 miles on it already. Every mile is a pleasure to drive. I have premium and sport package, the car is great. I wish it had a few more horsepower though.

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  Best Bang for the Buck! - 2000 Audi TT
  By Fun Hatch - January 18 - 10:08 am

  I loved the design aspect of the TT. Ive been through a few frustrating repairs, but overall I have greatly enjoyed this car and will be purchasing a new TT when the next generation makes it to showrooms. I would easily recommend the TT to anyone, with a side note of expensive repair bills, but its German... all German cars are expensive to repair.

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  Great car, but... - 2004 Audi A8
  By Great Car - January 17 - 6:15 am

  This is a great car, but you will get to know the service manager on a first name basis. An extended service policy is a must or you will go broke. A dream car to drive on long or short trips. I will purchase another A8L when my extended service policy runs out.

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  Great Everyday Fun - 2001 Audi S4
  By DriveALot - January 16 - 7:35 pm

  I was looking at replacing my 3 series BMW when a dealer friend suggested that I would get more car for my money with an Audi S4. Boy, was he correct. Ive driven the car almost daily for over 5 years and it is always fun to get behind the wheel. Ive had no major repairs and its always a kick when I engage the turbos. Ive taken long trips and the seating is comfortable and the trunk space very adequate.

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  Unexpected satisfactions - 2005 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Allebahnen - January 15 - 4:40 am

  Allroad is continuously giving me unexpected surprises and satisfactions. The build quality, performance and fun to drive. Fuel economy can be improved using higher gear thanks to the incredible wide torque band. Three gears are available for most situations. Can drive as a luxury saloon in an elegant atmosphere, but also as a sporty touring wagon with the exceptional overtaking acceleration, then it turns also a SUV-like vehicle. In short, all in one for every situaion and condition. Its expensive but its worth. You can find the reasons in almost details even in invisible sections. Looks like even a master piece of craft work.

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  Great car as long as there is not a problem. - 2016 Audi Q5
  By Len - January 14 - 9:24 pm

  This is our third Q5 in a row. When the car was 2 days old the backup warning system failed and I backed into a mailbox The dealer told me the system sensors needed a deep cleaning, which they did, but would not repair a small dent. I complained to Audi, they said it is up to the dealer because that would be covered under the warranty. The dealer said Audi refuses to pay for the damage. During the next six months the GPS would freeze and the MMS system would simply not turn on at times. I complained to the dealer again this times they told me there was an update to the software due to problems that Audi was having. The dealer and Audi Still refused to take responsibility for a failed system. This will be my last Audi not because the Q5 isnt a good car but because Audi does not back their vehicles like other companies I have dealt with in the past.