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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  Best LSP - 2005 Audi A6
  By GregA62005 - May 4 - 1:31 am

  For comfort and drivability this is this best luxury sports sedan.

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  Techno - 2005 Audi A8
  By John - May 3 - 11:13 pm

  The car has the style and luxury, of any other car. The exterior makes it look cheaper than it really is. The interior is very nice much like a mercedes-benz or better.

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  Dont Buy One - 2002 Audi A4
  By Denon - May 3 - 10:01 pm

  This car has been in the shop more than I have had it at my house. I am currently out of warranty and nobody wants to work on this car so Im forced to pay through the nose at the dealer. Every headlamp, side marker, tail lamp has burned out twice sinced Ive owned the vehicle. The vaccuum hoses have busted, the w/s wiper motor burned out, the cd player quit working, the computer went bad, it eats tires like crazy and the list goes on and on. Besides that it is a great vehicle? Prior to this vehicle I owned an Acura and traded it in at 90k miles and never had any issues except for replacing the tires. I will definitely go back to the Acura line and would not recommend Audi to anyone.

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  Buy this Car - 2005 Audi A4
  By PLD - May 3 - 6:55 pm

  Just passed the 1K milestone and everything in this car is better than anticiapted. Great performance PLUS good fuel economy. I absolutely love the navigation system, its the best Ive ever seen. In fact, I was reluctant to have the system but I was won over by the time I drove the car home fom the dealer. The interior of the Audi is superb and very sport-driver friendly.

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  hunk o junk - 2003 Audi A4
  By Robert Pelton - May 2 - 10:00 am

  the car broke down within 24 hours. An apparent problem that Audi is aware of but prefers to have it done as warranty work rather than recall

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  My Electric Blue Beach Buggy - 2005 Audi S4
  By Steve Morris - May 1 - 2:07 am

  The Audi S4 Quattro soft-top is a beautifully manufactured machine. I think that the degree of attention to detail both fom both an ergonomic and design standpoint are about the best in the business. I have owned Mercedes Benz, Porsches, including a Turbo Carrera, a 1987 Maserati Quattroporte, GTO, Morgan +4, BMW Z3, but this Audi SA Cabriolet is the most "together" car I have ever owned. The 335HP V-8 coupled with the smooth 6 speed shifter is a joy. Sure, not Ferrari fast, but driving in Los Angeles is more about responsive on-tap acceleration and Quattro manuverability. The electric covertible top is a piece of enginneering beauty.

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  Read This First - 2017 Audi Q5
  By First & Last Audi - May 1 - 1:04 am

  My wife has always wanted an Audi. So when our 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Lease ended we "Upgraded" to a 2017 Q5. The vehicle is a disappointment! I wish I could take it back. What we Lost: Remote Start, Touchscreen Infotainment with larger screen, Heated Steering Wheel, USB ports, and half our Trunk Space! You cant advance songs from the steering wheel, the volume knob is on the far side of the gear shift, & its a 2 step process to lower the air power. Another annoyance is the wiper blades cant be raised, so cleaning ice and snow off the blades is a chore. Plus, you have to pay for 10k, 20k, and 30k maintenance or spend another $900 for their Audi Care plan. Yes, its gorgeous and it handles well in the snow, but the infotainment system is overly-complicated. Ive learned my lesson... Looks arent everything. Its "luxury", but totally impractical.

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  COOLEST CAR ON THE PLANET! - 2005 Audi A4
  By Leslie - April 30 - 2:12 pm

  I replaced my Miata with the A4 convertible. Not just a step up, but 100 steps up! I compared it with the BMW 300 serier and the Mercedes. No comparison for me. The creature features are over the top on the A4. I want luxury inside with a luxury exterior & price & ride = you dont all that with the BMW or Mercedes. The interior is beautiful & functional & comfortable. Can you tell I love it!

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  Beautiful on the outside... - 2001 Audi A4
  By Carole - April 29 - 4:28 pm

  I loved this car when I purchased it and up until about a year and a half or so ago. Since then, I have had nothing but major engine trouble. The repairs are exceedingly costly, and it is often difficult to find a shop that will work on the newer Audis, due to their intricate design. I have had to replace just about everything in this car, and am now looking at selling the vehicle. Beware of the type of oil your shop uses if not using synthetic the engine can seize up. Its too bad this great car had to go south so young! I hear similar stories from other Audi customers at my dealership. I would not buy another one.

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  My Audi - 2002 Audi A4
  By tbrander - April 29 - 1:23 pm

  This car drives like a dream it perfectly mates the driver to the road in a seemless interface. It is a pleasure to drive. I look for excuses to get in my car and drive on the weekends. My wife loves it because I am more likely to run erands for her. The problem she finds is that it takes me much longer to return home than it used to.