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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  Third Time is NOT the Charm - 2016 Audi A6
  By bruce s. - August 17 - 1:25 pm

  This is my third A6. I loved my other two and actually went to a new dealership for the third and had a wonderfully helpful sales person. The third one is the best looking of my three and I was so ready to love it. I hate it. Literally, the worst car I have had since my first BMW 7 series. I bought the prestige model with all the technology packages including the heads up display and driver assist. Truly, almost nothing works right. I cant input addresses into the GPS, the brake assist never works, it rattles like the frame is not welded onto the frame, the phone system and voice activation never gets names rights and I constantly loose calls that I am able to keep when driving the same route in my wifes Mercedes. I have been on the phone with Audi Experience no less than 20 times. I have been through endless fights with service where I can demonstrate what is not working, take screen shots and they admit they cannot fix it. The regional service rep was going to call his software guy in Germany except the guy was on vacation. I think I will need to look into lemon law protection as this is intolerable. Going back to Mercedes or BMW. They are totally clueless. I went from being a loyal Audi fan to hating every day in the car. Buyer beware!

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  This car is a trap! - 2002 Audi A6
  By Clin - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 2.8 avant in 1999. In the first 36 months, it worked fine. But only a week after the warrenty expired, the water pump broken, and cost me $1000 to fix. I had heard this kind of case before I bought the car, but I didnt pay much attention. Be careful, this car could cost you much more than you expected.

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  No lights! - 2006 Audi A4
  By Debbie - March 22 - 5:07 am

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  A bit afraid - 2006 Audi A3
  By Peter - October 4 - 5:30 pm

  DSG is great - for those whole like to control the RPMs but are affraid of traffic and 3rd pedal...your reward is finally here. The 2.0 engine is much stronger and torque is higher as well. It is not as noisy as the old 1800 block. No turbo lag observed. Very strong brakes, thanks to oversized discs. Stiff, and has no "dipping" on sharper curves. Has a sporty feel for sure but is very easy to handle and navigate due to smaller size. Inerior: I am about 62 nd plenty of space (head, shoulder, leg). Rear space is fine too, great cargo for this size class.

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  In the shop 7 times for Sunroof/rattling issues - 2017 Audi Q7
  By Robert - May 20 - 1:09 pm

  Poorly made, bad fit and finish in interior. Horrible rattling after only 1500 mi. God knows what this car will sound like a year from now. This car was rushed to market, not ready for primetime. If you do not mind a car that will rattle over every bump, then this is your car, But if that sort of thing bothers you?- RUN dont buy

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  The Worst Car You Could Ever Buy - 2003 Audi A4
  By Unhappy in IL - May 17 - 2:00 am

  My 2002 A4 is a piece of junk. DO NOT BUY an AUDI A4. Two engine coils have failed after only 7 months of ownership. This is a known defect and Audi is recalling vehicles. Even if Audi has corrected this issue in 2003, their Corporate treatment of its customers is horrid. They did everything in their power not to make me happy. Your better off with another vehicle mfg.

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  Glitchy!!! - 2017 Audi Q7
  By Unhappy Audiowner - February 9 - 10:52 am

  No sooner than I pull out of dealer lot, a warning light goes off... The next day another one, then the third day the first light goes out by itself, but I get another, then the transmission got stuck in park at school drop off line with lots of angry parents behind me, windshield wipers went to and stayed in service position, I got out and pushed them back down. They were inoperable until about the fourth time I restarted the car. That seems to be the trend, I get different warnings for things that are not an issue, low windshield washer fluid that is full, low tire pressure, etc.... Its like rebooting your computer, I have found that after a series of restarts, the glitches end up clearing..... Price paid? Too much for this much headache..... The car is comfortable but after 8 days of ownership, Im not happy at all, give me my 2012 Q7 back.......anyone in the market for a lightly used Q7??? I would not buy again.