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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  Redefining the Pocket Rocket! - 2007 Audi A3
  By dmeyers - August 27 - 4:19 pm

  What a blast to drive! Short story – I needed to trade in the 330CIC and get something a little more practical as I was losing my winter driver (16 yr old got her permit) and my wife wouldn’t dare part with her MDX. After a lengthy search I decided to go back to Audi (have owned 3 in the past) to drive the A4. I noticed the A3 and it was love at first stomp on the gas peddle! The DSG is unreal (paddles are fun), pick-up (turbo lag? NOT) is explosive and car is extremely comfortable. Gas mileage is great (30.5 on a recent road trip) & the creature comforts are nice (open sky, cold wthr, premium pkgs.

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  A blast to own! - 2002 Audi TT
  By Chris Spida - August 26 - 11:22 pm

  This car caught my attention when it first came out. It was always a dream of mine to own one and now I do! I cannot go anywhere with out getting a compliment on the car. People always love the red interior and want to ask questions about the vehicle in general. If get the opportunity to own one of these beauties be prepared for a lot of attention, especially outside of affluent areas. However, there is a down side. There have been a number of problems with the drive train on the car and Audi of America has been less than helpful at some of the turns. Be prepared to go through some hassles. But if you can take it in stride it will pay you back!

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  Good Car, but.... - 2006 Audi A4
  By Jeff Matthews - August 25 - 6:11 pm

  Overall, a very nice car. Powerful, solid frame, handles well. We have the technology package with bluetooth and memory seats, etc. We have enjoyed the car except for one feature: the adaptive headlights. These are Xenon headlights that move as the front wheels move. A neat idea, but weve had continuing problems with one headlight cutting off when it gets sufficiently dark for the "auto on" feature to work. Unfortunately, and despite a good effort, they have been unable to correct the problem and we are getting our money back through the states Lemon Law. I would recommend the Audi A4, but not this adaptive light feature.

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  Better than my Lexus!!! - 2006 Audi A4
  By sandy - August 25 - 2:43 pm

  I just love this car!! The quality is outstanding. I use the audi and my husband now has the Lexus R300. I got the better car if you ask me. The bose sound system is pure quality. The only complaint I would have, make the seats a little wider. Other than that this car is awesome and fun to drive... very fast.

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  New SUV is worth the wait! - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Diablo69 - August 25 - 11:41 am

  Handles like a sports car, or at least better than my previous Infiniti FX, and the FX is SMALLER. Brakes are powerful. Luxury features are everywhere. Engine sounds sweet and its powerful. MMI system is very logical and easy to use. I cant wait to take it skiing!

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  Those who "get it" love it. - 2006 Audi A3
  By TampaA3 - August 23 - 10:15 am

  Best car I have ever owned, period. The A3 is one of the best cars on the road and yet you will be hard pressed to find one next to you at the stop light. Most will not understand this car and just write it off as a "wagon" but the people who "get it" drool over it when they see it. I have enjoyed driving this car so much that I often go for drives just to enjoy it. I bought my 2.0T before the 3.2 was available. I have not driven the 3.2 for fear of wanting to upgrade. The power is more than sufficient in the 2.0. I got almost every option on the car except Nav which does send the price way up but its still a great car and a good value.

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  Fun Car! - 2001 Audi TT
  By Kris - August 22 - 4:13 pm

  This is a great car. My first convertible. The power roof is easy and quick, I can drop it down or put it up easily at a stop light. I have also had an issue with the squeak/clunky noise that a couple other reviewers noticed but it hasnt caused any major issues. I have had a couple expensive repairs with the water pump and oil gaskets and such. but its been basically very reliable. and its a beautiful car! My favorite is the baseball leather interior, makes the car stand out from all the other black leather-clad interiors of comparable cars.

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  A4 - 2004 Audi A4
  By colo4474 - August 22 - 7:07 am

  Fun car to drive and handles well. Audi and VW can capture drivers on the appearance and handling alone.

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  3 months & 10000 miles later! - 2006 Audi A3
  By AudiSoCali - August 21 - 3:43 pm

  Ive only had this vehicle 3 mos. but have managed to put it through its paces around so. cal. The car is everything I expected it to be. Practical, sexy, fun to drive. No cost maintenance has saved me a lot. The DSG is smooth and effortless, yet aggressive. The new 2.0 FSI engine is awesome. Even grandma would feel like Schumacher behind the wheel. Props to Audi for making an affordable, luxury, performance, "hatchback"!

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  Smooth and Refined - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Nick - August 20 - 9:44 pm

  I bought my Audi Q7 to replace my Honda Pilot. I needed the extra towing capacity and I wanted a luxury SUV. The Audi Q7 did not disappoint me. The inside is typical Audi, comfortable, quite and well thoughout. The controls are all first rate and the cars performance and handling are top notch. The mileage is averaging about 16.3 mpg in mixed driving. If you select the sport mode on the transmission, it makes a huge performance difference, but it does hurt your mileage. All in all probably the best SUV on the market today.