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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  Pure Satisfaction - 2002 Audi A4
  By D - December 27 - 2:33 am

  I love this car!! After owning it for 4 1/2 years, I still feel the same as when I purchased it new. It has the sports suspension which handles very well. This vehicle is the first automatic transmission I have owned, therefore, having the CVT transmission has been wonderful. There is no hesitation when going through the gears upon acceleration and is smooth as can be. The seat is comfortable and the ride is quiet. The stiffer sports suspension is exactly what one expects from BMW. This car has had NO electrical or engine problems and is very reliable. A new dealership which opened closer to my home (after owning my car for 2 years) is top notch offering car washes, and prompt service.

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  Audi Q3 great fit for working mom - 2017 Audi Q3
  By Divina Perez - December 26 - 4:29 am

  Great if you need a smaller SUV, with style and luxury.

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  Road Machined - 2007 Audi S4
  By Road Machine - December 24 - 4:20 pm

  This is my second S4 a black on black automatic sedan with carbon fibre trim bluetook parktronic premium sound navigation and front heated seats. The car is sensational - even better than the first. The combination of the handling with the steering wheel controlled tiptronic transmission is fantastic. The navigation is a first for me and is a fascinating feature as in the bluetooth cell phone feature which is a must option in my view. This is a great road and highway vehicle it comes close to handling as well as my 2004 40th Anniversary Porsche 911 coupe with short shifter, sport exhaust and H&R springs. The AWD with snows makes for year-round fun in the northeast. In short, worth the $$.

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  Great - 2006 Audi A3
  By J. Kreg - December 23 - 5:15 pm

  Vehicle has been great! Engine has excellent acceleration with 250 horses and automatic transmission shifts almost like a manual. I have 18" rims and my windows tinted and it has been a head turner. Great for younger people, if they can afford it. Only dislike is the size. I need more room in the back, but then Id have to go on to an A4 right? Better gas mileage also.

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  One year and 22,000 miles later - 2006 Audi A4
  By Dpark - December 22 - 9:16 pm

  Ive had my A4 now just over a year and have put 22,000 miles on it half of which were driving back and forth fom DC to NY in lousy winter weather. The car is so good, the only reason I will ever own another is if and when I splurge on an S4. I had heard mixed reviews about the last generation of A4s reliabilty. Well, I have not had a single problem. Handling, traction, steering and control are out of this world. I often travel and end up renting other cars its amazing how less secure I feel in them compared to the A4.

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  A8 for life - 1998 Audi A8
  By Steve - December 22 - 4:31 pm

  Yes I did buy a used A8 with 85k miles and started with tires, checkup, belts- waterpump-timing chains with my Audi machanic of 15 years. I started to drive 100+ miles daily and never stopped. This car needs to drive to stay fit and clean. If you do a lot of short trips and cannot open this beauty up on the highway then this is not the car for you. I now have 122k on my second year and other than a few pesky oil or water drips from the water pump side of the engine, the car is a 10. I drive fast (80-90+) when on the highway but city driving is also just fine. Good mileage in the 20-23 mpg depending on speed but the all around average is 21.

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  Audi 90 Quattro - 1995 Audi 90
  By Matt S. - December 22 - 10:43 am

  The Audi 90 Quattro is a pleasure to drive. I drive a combination of interstate (about 26 miles) and city driving (about 4 miles) daily. The high quality interior is very comfortable. Fuel economy stays right around 23 mpg. Many people mistake the car to be much newer than it is. As far as problems, my fuel pump went out at around 95,000 miles. I fixed it myself for about $200 (pump and filter). Highs: Quattro models are unbeatable in the wet/snow. Quality, comfort, safety, handling. Lows: Parts availability, Audi dealerships dont really seem to care about their used car owners (except the parts department) My verdict: Quality ride that inspires confidence no matter the conditions.

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  Fun, but ughhh - 2001 Audi A4
  By JCA462 - December 21 - 11:14 am

  The car is nimble and quick with great features, but as far as reliability is concerned, I cant give this car a grade better than a C-. Ive owned the car for two months and have already encountered electrical problems one being the central locking module which is expensive to replace, but was fixed free of charge from where I purchased the car. The engine just seems sketchy to me. It idles high at start up and blows some smoke from the exhaust at times, but not all the time (like during the test drive *angry face*). Random squeaks and ticks have become common, but its a different one each time I drive the car. None of the sounds continue for more than one or two drives. Its a nice car, though.

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  Pleasently surprised - 2017 Audi A4
  By Krishna Bellamkonda - December 21 - 6:07 am

  I had a 13 BMW 320i with Dinan Stage 1 and M Sport(with 6speed manual). It was really a fun car, with enough power and great dynamics. Since I was getting older, and my wife needed an automatic and was sitting in traffic a lot, we decided to get an automatic with more linear power(read I6/V6). Shopped around for Lexus IS350 and BMW 340i. 340i was good, but moving from manual to automatic, I didnt find the transmission react fast enough for my tastes. IS350 with its 8-speed transmission was also not as responsive. So I started looking for vehicles with dual-clutch given faster shift times and better response. Audi A4 is one of the few cars in the market with 7 speed DCT in the price range and new 2.0T motor is torque rich and in fact I found the vehicle better than sportier S3. Also even the base trim(Premium) has the Android Auto/Apple Play combo negating the need for nav package(mine has Convenience package, which is a must-have). And Quattro with rear-bias is another feature worth paying for. All in all, I got almost 5K off sticker on a brand-new vehicle which is a way better deal than BMW 328i(RWD), Lexus IS300(AWD) and Acura TLX-V6 SH-AWD which are way out of Audis league in terms of responsiveness and ride quality. Handling is little better in BMW, but everything else is dated. Previous Audis never impressed me, but this vehicle is quite a revelation and definitely worth considering if you are in market for entry level sporty-luxury sedans. At least until Lexus and BMW move to next generation, Audi seems to the best all-rounder in the segment.

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  S Line package and 4.2 V8 are AMAZING - 2007 Audi A6
  By Jeff Lock - December 21 - 1:13 am

  This car does everything well. The technology integrated into the vehicle and build quality are superb.