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:

• 

  FUN TO DRIVE - 2006 Audi A3
  By sandy - November 3 - 4:01 am

  My A3 is an excellent ride. I drive 60 miles to work one way and it is all freeway. The vehicle handles and performs well. I feel safe on the road. I have averaged 32 mpg on the highway. The car is responsive and when the turbo kicks in I can easily move through traffic. The hand brake could be in a better position. The car should have a compass. Get the deluxe package and 17" wheels.

• 

  Great car - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Tomas - November 2 - 2:28 pm

  Perfect handling, - feels like a sports car. 0-60 in just 7s. Car itself doesnt feel like a big car. First when I saw it I thought, - oh my God it is too big, but after test drive I fell in love with it.

• 

  The worst car I have ever owned - 2005 Audi A4
  By clark alley - November 2 - 12:58 pm

  The A4 Audi Cabrolet was a disaster from the start. Between the cars computer problems (brake and the accelerator not coordinated correctly, windows not closing as designed, timer not resetting, top not going down or up, etc...) Audi is a bad choice for a car of your dreams. Not only did Audi fail to fix the problems, Audi 1-800 # was useless: they sided with the dealers on most everything. Audi would not let me meet an Audi Rep to go over my concerns. They blame almost everything on owner abuse. There are too many other things that didnt work to mention. Think twice before you buy an Audi, unless you have deep pockets and enjoy the mental stress of dealing with a bottom line company.

• 

  I Love This Automobile! - 2003 Audi A4
  By SAS - November 1 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a 2003 Audi A4 Quattro with the following equipment: Premium Package (including drivers power seats); Xenon headlights, Bose sound system and the Cold Weather Package. Exterior Color: Brilliant Black Interior Color: Parchment (Beige) Leather List Price: $32,285 Purchase Price: $30,285 I also received 1.9% financing for 60 months. As the dealer was unable to locate an existing vehicle with my requested specs, I had to order it from Germany. It was ordered on 1/20/03 and took delivery on 5/1/03. It has 411 miles on it after 3 weeks time.

• 

  06 A6 4.2 - 2006 Audi A6
  By computire - October 28 - 9:00 am

  The car is tight, responsive and handles well. However, the engine is a little loud. The drawback to this vehicle is the brakes which are much too touchy. Difficult to glide to a smooth stop. The controls (radio,t emp, phone, navigation) are very handy and easy to use.

• 

  Simply awesome... best of the class - 2006 Audi A8
  By TTaylor - October 27 - 11:29 am

  Getting straight to the point, I have owned BMW 7 series, Lexus 430 and Mercedes S series vehicles.The Audi A8L is undoubtably the most complete car I have ever owned (compared to the others). Yes, you lose a little performance to the BWM (very little, almost hard to notice), the perceived elite status of the Mercedes (notice I said perceived...but not realized in the ownership experience)and the softness/comfort of the Lexus. Now for tag line, if you want completeness, with very little compromise to the perceived strengths of the other three purchased the Audi A8L. The true and most complete athlete of the class. I may own an Audi A8L for many years to come.

• 

  Nice appearance, very poor reliability - 2003 Audi A4
  By mk4_turbo - October 27 - 10:00 am

  Not yet 10000 miles after 6 months, and already these things are broken: - 1 front speaker - Left electric seat - Right electric seat Also left front window makes a lot of noise when activated And a lot of noise inside; a lot of parts are loosened

• 

  My A3 has arrived. - 2006 Audi A3
  By germancarFAN - October 27 - 8:53 am

  In May, I ordered a 2006 A3 2.0TFSI 6SPD M LavaGry/SportPkg/Xenon/RearSide Airbags/Cold Weather PKG/ - Since then I was constantly scanning this forum trying to assure myself I made a good choice. All was confirmed when I picked it up from the dealer today. This car is tight! Torque is strong and readily available throughout the revs. I cant wait until I break the engine in and I can let the car pull through 5000 to the redline. I love the dash at night and the Xenons truly light the way! Ordered a Set of 18" 9 Spoke S4 wheels wrapped in Pirreli P-Zero NeroM&S tire. Theyll handle the torque!

• 

  Great Car - 2000 Audi S4
  By Jon1121x - October 27 - 8:41 am

  This car is by far the best car I have purchased. I knew I wanted to go towards German Automotive, but I had no idea the excellence I was getting myself into with buying this S4. All my friends a drowning in their envy. I love this car.

• 

  Audi A6 - 2016 Audi A6
  By Pk - October 23 - 11:44 pm

  Nice car