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 Car, Expensive to Maintain - 2001 Audi TT
  By TT - November 29 - 11:30 am

  Great car, fun to drive, looks great, but there have been many repair issues, far more than I would have expected for this level of car.

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  A FANTASTIC SUV - 2007 Audi Q7
  By ILoveMyQ7 - November 29 - 10:25 am

  I have had my Q7 for about a month now and I love driving this SUV. I got the showroom model so it comes with 20" wheels and alloy rims. The A/C controls are a bit difficult to figure out at first, but once you get the hang of it you will find its usefulness. We have rear climate control, the Bose sound system, power tailgate, Bluetooth, 3rd row seating, and of course the MMI (navi) among few of the features.

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  So much fun to drive!! - 2014 Audi A4
  By Leigh - November 28 - 4:20 am

  I purchased a used 2014 Audi A4 premium plus quatro about a month ago. So far, I love it! I specifically wanted a manual transmission, because I just love shifting gears. This car is a blast to drive and shift! I previously owned a VW Passat, which I was pleased with, but have really enjoyed a slight "step up" to the Audi. The car handles very well, I love the side assist (blinking lights when someone is in your blind spot and your blinker is on), the auto-sensing wipers (never have to touch the wiper level!!), and the overall feel of the car. It is very "sturdy" and quiet. My Passat was really noisy, so this was a great change. I also love the push-button start and the push-button parking brake (no more difficult parking brake to wrestle with!) My VW had the old-fashioned remote key lock and unlock, and I love that with my Audi, I just have to reach for the handle - as long as the key is in my purse, the car will unlock for me. No more searching for my keys in the bottom of my purse!!!!! Now for the disappointments: first, even though I have the premium plus, there is no back-up camera. I knew this before I bought, but was told by the salesman that I could easily add one from Best Buy for about $250. I looked into it (before purchasing the car), and it looked like he was right. However, when I went to BB to get the back-up camera, I found out that these after-market accessories cannot be added to a factory-installed monitor without a VERY expensive adapter (like, over $1,000)! So... now I have to live without a back-up camera. I also dont like the radio selection on the steering column. Instead of just pushing a button to move from one preset station to the next (like in my VW), you have to roll a little knob to select the station, and then push the button. Its almost impossible to do this without looking at the dashboard. It takes my eyes and attention off the road. Also, Im disappointed in the bluetooth voice command. In my VW, my phone book contacts from my phone were automatically recognized by my car. All I had to say was, call Samantha Anderson (or any contact in my phones contact list), and it dialed the number. With the Audi, I have to actually pre-record a voice tag for Samantha Anderson and input her number, or it wont recognize and call. I was really shocked by these downgrades. The Audi is supposed to be a step up, and it is in most ways, but definitely some technology oversights that are surprising. Some other features that are very important to me: a very big trunk and seats that fold down (very easy to maneuver), seat memory, seat heat, and a rockin sound system!! Although there are a few technological features that I would change, I LOVE the A4!!!!

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  Just Awesome - 2007 Audi A3
  By Mark80scu - November 27 - 4:30 pm

  Bought the car with DSG, premium and open sky. Red exterior, black interior. The car looks hot, people stare at it all the time. Great performance, great pickup. The mileage has been great so far, going to tahoe from the bay I avg 29.3, coming down I did 28.5 (i was going a little faster). Im 63" and fit well, dont have a whole lot of head room, but its not an issue. Wish the trunk was a little bigger so my dog could fit a little better (great dane mix), but folding the seats will take car of that. Too bad it doesnt come with quattro in the 2.0T. I would highly recommend this car, it just puts a huge smile on my face everytime I take a turn or press the accelerator.

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  My A4 - 2006 Audi A4
  By Amanda - November 27 - 11:38 am

  I had been looking at the A4 for 2 years before I made my first purchase. It has been an overall positive experience and I highly recommend the vehicle to any consumer.

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  Class and Style - 2002 Audi A4
  By quattro4life - November 24 - 10:00 am

  I looked at the A4 and the IS300, but went for the A4. Ive run up about 1500 miles so far and it drives great. Handling is precise and firm, road feel is just right (with sport package), and power is ample for my driving (dont know about you, but not many chances for 0-60 driving). If design and looks were the only element, this car would be above all else. The only thing Im not sure of at this point is the reliability. Heard its improving, but will wait to see. Overall, A4 is all I expected and more. The A4 exudes class and quality. Go out and drive one and youll see what I mean.

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  A FINE CAR! - 2002 Audi A4
  By DUANE - November 24 - 10:00 am

  I had been in the market for a reliable, safe car for my daughter and found an 01 A-4, 1.8 Turbo. She loves the car! I then decided to look at the 02 Quattro 6 cylinder for my wife. Weve already put 12,000 miles on the car and would consider it by far the "funnest" vehicle weve ever owned! My wife does most of the driving of the Audi, and she enjoys the comfort and solid feel. (she washes the car weekly with a diaper!) I think shes pretty safe in the car, and thus far, its been reliable. Only negative is we were promised "free" service for 48,000 miles. They neglect to tell you that this doesnt include synthetic oil ($33 per change.

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  2005 Audi A6 Q - 2005 Audi A6
  By aga6Q - November 24 - 6:28 am

  Except for a trunk latch and a cd player replacement, no problems at all. This is my fourth Audi and its simply as good and reliable as my last two lexuses, but they handle like true german performance cars. Also nothing can compete with quattro in bad weather. We live in so Fla and still love the quattro in the rains we get here.

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  Great for Wisconsin weather - 2006 Audi A4
  By AJ - November 23 - 11:24 pm

  This car is great for driving in snow and very snappy weaving through busy traffic. I cant wait to try the S4.

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  One of the Best Choices Under 30K - 2006 Audi A3
  By JJB - November 23 - 4:10 pm

  Ive been driving my A3 for a little over a year. The handling is amazing with the sport package. DSG is cool for lazy feet, but not for me. Bottom line: there are a lot of cars out there in this price range. More importantly, there are many above this price range. A GIAC or REVO for this car, and it will hang with the M3s and STIs of the world. However, with the A3 you also get practicality and comfort, which those cars do not have. AND, Im getting 36 MPG highway!