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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  A RUSH TO DRIVE THE 2004 S4 - 2004 Audi S4
  By danslucky2 - February 11 - 3:06 am

  I looked around for a hi-power engine stuffed in a small car. The M3 came only in 2 door/stick shift and the AMG didnt have the sporty looks and ride. The S4 has awesome power. I can hardly touch the gas pedal and this baby leaps forward. Cornering is easy to stick as all 4 wheels deliver gobs of power to the road. The ride is stiff (I prefer in a performance car) but so stable and smooth. This car doesnt wake up until at least 80 mph+ and it rides better as you go faster. Have had the S4 to 140 mph out in the country and felt like more power was available. Recaro seats are comfy for long rides. And of course, the rumble of the pipes catches the attention of folks nearby. Awesome car!!!

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  Excellent - 2003 Audi A6
  By Cheeps - February 10 - 3:18 pm

  This is by far the best car I have ever owned. The quality and workmanship blows away Mercedes and BMW. We only visit the dealership for scheduled service and car washes.

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  Best interior in its class - 2017 Audi A3
  By Charles Sacks - February 10 - 11:25 am

  I own this car less than a month so ratings for some items are N/A. No memory seats combined with smaller door openings make getting in and setting up a little inconvenient. The AWD eats up 2-3 CF of trunk space. Car is very well made. Layout of controls is very logical - European logical, and that is a good thing. Best feature - Virtual cockpit. All my nav, media, and car info can also be displayed and controlled independently in front of me in addition to the Nav screen in the center. The center Nav screen retracts into the dash which is better than the more expensive BMW, and Mercedes which have an afterthought I-Pad glued onto the dash. I recommend this car

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  best in class - 2001 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By d cerone - February 10 - 10:00 am

  I have never owned a car that was as much fun the first day as it is today! Pure enjoyment from almost every aspect, except the small pre-turbo lag - what a gas this car is. But speaking of Gas, please make sure you have plenty of cash with you at all times. Mileage is not the best, really its not good at all! From day one everyone has been interested in what the car is and does, I am super happy with my Allroad!

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  Worst car we have ever owned - 1999 Audi A6
  By ezondag - February 10 - 12:34 am

  We purchased our 1999 Audi A6 with 3,000 miles on it (it was a dealer demo). We drove it to 69,000 miles and had to make the following repairs: recalls new fuel indicator 2x, blinker system, new radiator, waterpump, break discs 2x, front rocker arms. Some of this work was done under warrenty. At the last oil change ($62) we were told the transmission was leaking and it needed new torsion arms or something (again) The repair bill would be $1,700. I own a Toyota with 266,000 miles on it and never repaired any of the above. We retired the Audi and bought another Toyota. We saw similar Audis on Ebay, selling for $8,000!

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  Sweet Ride - 2005 Audi A8
  By sst75 - February 9 - 10:34 pm

  My 2005 Audi A8 is a dream ride. It is smooth, powerful, and has great acceleration. The back seats have tons of room. The interior is exquisite.

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  This is unbelievable - 2005 Audi A6
  By Carnutty - February 9 - 8:03 pm

  The 2005 Audi A6 4.2 rocks my socks. I love the way it drives and feels. And the A8 engine is great in a smaller car. It goes 0-62.1 mph is 6.25 seconds. You gotta give Audi some real credit there.

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  Wow! Nice Car! - 1997 Audi A6
  By NMiller - February 9 - 3:05 pm

  I picked up my 1997 Audi A6 with 93,000 miles on it. I changed the timing belt and water pump (now ready for 75,000 more miles or whatever Audi recommends), rear calipers (hand brake portion rusted), popped in 6 CDs in the CD changer, and thats it. The sun roof needs to be rebuilt ($500), but it works OK if you dont go all the way to the rear. This car screams in snow! Wow! I went over 105,000 miles on recent trip to the Appalichian Mountains, got a flat tire, and didnt even know it on the hard turns, etc., for about 25 miles (not recommended). Afterwords, the tire was ok. Highly recommend HS Michelin all season tires. They are a great match!

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  It has a Mind of its Own - 2004 Audi A8
  By Rich - February 8 - 5:32 pm

  My 2004 Audi A8 is equipped with all the electronics, short of making you coffee in the morning. The only problem seems to be that it will work when it feels like it. I have had the vehicle back for the upgrading of the navigation system. The following are a short list of poroblems that I have experienced with this car: the auto trunk open/close is not working the car will lock itself the seats do not adjust to the entry key being used the interior lights will not work in the auto position (they just stay on) the doors will not open with the remote key all the time the seats seem to adjust by themselves.

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  Audi A6 - 1999 Audi A6
  By jim - February 7 - 8:22 pm

  My 1999 Audi A6 is a pleasure. It is smooth, quiet, and handles well on winding roads. It is a bit sluggish from stops though. It has comfortable seating in the front and rear. Its fun to drive in the snow. What a great looking car.