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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  2015 Audi A3 - 2015 Audi A3
  By Frania23 - August 11 - 3:34 am

  It was a 2015 leftover with 40 miles when I purchased it in June of 2016. Ive had the car for only 1 month but really love it. I am 50 and this is my mid-life crisis car and am really enjoying the drive. I transitioned from a soccer mom highlander driver (which is a great vehicle), to empty nester Audi A3 driver. Enjoying the ride!

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  Fun Little Car - 2006 Audi TT
  By Ryan - August 10 - 9:17 pm

  This car is incredible. It is fun to drive for both male and female drivers. The interior is slick and the upgrade stereo system is a must have. Do not consider this car to be more then a 2 seater. You can barely fit two small people in the back. Consider the back seat to be bonus space. It does come in very handy. For the size of the car, the trunk space is big. Youll be surprised how big it is when comparing it to a 350z or any other 2 seater cars. My girl friend took this car on a 5-hour trip and she was very comfortable and got incredible gas mileage thanks to the sixth gear overdrive. We have not run into any major problems with the car. So far it has 20,000 miles.

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  GREAT CAR!!! - 2006 Audi TT
  By Jay - August 10 - 12:45 pm

  Such a fun ride, though I must say after 1 week my battery died,,kind of a fluke I guess, but other than that its been tons of fun. Handles extremely well, twin turbo really kicks in at around 4500rpms.

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  Audi A6 - Best Luxury Sports Sedan Today - 2006 Audi A6
  By Mauricio Barberi - August 10 - 1:54 am

  Without a doubt, the Audi A6 is the luxury sports sedan that achieves the most compelling balance between driving experience, luxury, utility, safety and aesthetics. Every component of the vehicle--from the well thought out and purposeful controls and convenience features (Audis MMI runs circles around BMWs iDrive and Mercedes COMMAND) to the cavernous trunk, buttery-smooth engine and transmission, tastefully appointed interior and distinctive exterior design--works together to achieve a whole that is much more than the sum of its parts. I looked at the BMW 5- series, the MB E-class, the Lexus GS and the Acura RL and when the dust settled, the A6 had the clear advantage--the new benchmark!

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  Exceptional Car... Couldnt be happier! - 2004 Audi A4
  By Saundra - August 9 - 8:23 pm

  The A4 is not only great looking and fuel efficient, but it is FUN to drive. The 170 hp and almost 170 lb feet of torque pack more than enough power. I get compliments on my car quite frequently. I am a reformed BMW driver. I will never go back. Quattro (the AWD system) has given me newfound confidence when I drive.

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  My third TT is my "best buy." - 2005 Audi TT
  By CWK - August 9 - 7:42 pm

  This certified 2004 250 3.2 TT with DSG is my best buy. Price was right and warranty is for 5 more years and up to 100,000 miles. The DSG is perfect for my commute which includes the I-80 "parking lot" in Berkeley. Acceleration is brisk and fuel economy is good. My first TT was a silver 2000 180 TTQC. My second TT was a silver 2002 225 TTQC. It was a fine car,my bad left knee just got tired of shifting on my commute. This 3.2 TTQC with DSG is perfect for my present needs. I love the interior and exterior design of the Audi TT. Since I do not like the shield grille design change Audi is making on new models, I am pleased to own one of the original design models. Certified makes sense.

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  Interstate Comfort and Safety - 2002 Audi A6
  By David L - August 9 - 7:27 am

  The A6 is easy to drive and blast through the Sierra Nevada interstate system. As I let my 16 year old drive from Vegas to San Diego, it is a joy to let him learn to "operate" this vehicle. I feel confidence in Audi, and am looking at the new A4 2.0T for my next trip to the dealership. The CVT now feels "right" with my stop and go driving in town... but took getting used to. The MPG has been 22-26 without really trying. I am now a convert of the teutonic quality build of this A6, and will recommend it to all my best friends. I have had no problems with this car.

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  2004 A6 S-Line - 2004 Audi A6
  By Bill - August 8 - 8:50 pm

  Plush interior and sleek exterior make for the ideal sedan. I considered the Infinity G-35 and various BMWs, but chose the A6 without any difficulty. I am most impressed with the "fit and finish" of the Audi- the doors are solid, the trim is rich and well put together, but my above all, the design is unmatched.

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  A No Brainer!!! - 2005 Audi A6
  By First Audi, not last - August 8 - 6:33 pm

  Like everyone else here, I was looking for a luxury, mid-sized sedan. I considered the Infiniti-M35, the Mercedes E class and the BMW 5-series, however threw it out quickly because of the new design. Looks cheap. The A6 is luxury throughout, is a head- turner and performs great. First gear hesitates slightly, but the rest of the gears leave little to be desired. Overall acceleration is terrific. Considering the price was $10k less than BMW/Mercedes and $5 less than the Infiniti, it was a no brainer. For all the negative press Ive read about the MMI, dont believe the hype, its a great feature, extremely easy to use and not a distraction at all. Audi wins a new fan!!

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  Highly overated - 2005 Audi A8
  By David - August 8 - 9:15 am

  I have owned this car for almost 1 year. During that time the car has been back for repairs on numerous ocassions.The air conditioner is horrible. It takes 10 minutes on a hot day for the air to begin to cool off, until then a hot blower makes it feel worse. This is the same experience others with the same car say. The dealer says that "everything checks out fine". The car jumps when accelerating from a quick stop. The car has too many computers and there inherent glitches. The display pop up has been replaced, the center dash module replaced, and the navigational unit replaced. The car has a hard ride and is quite frankly overrated and poorly represented by their service people.