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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  German cars: Love Em! - 2001 Audi A4
  By golfguy777 - September 28 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great car for us. It is a lot of fun to drive and everyone at the dealerships go above and beyond to service their customers. Weve had the car for almost four years now and all that weve had to do is have the oil changed, which is included in the warranty. Owning our first Audi has been a great experience and I often recommend the A4 to others.

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  Great Car! - 2004 Audi A4
  By str8toaudi - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I love it. Enough said! Now lets go driving :)

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  A8 SWB Rocks - 2005 Audi A8
  By AudiNJ - September 26 - 2:00 am

  Just took down a black on black 05 SWB A8 with one-pay lease. Car is truly amazing. Spent a lot of time looking at the A8, Acura RL, Range Rover. Traded in a 330i, which I loved but was awful in the snow. The A8 is the best looking car out there . No mechanical problems (knock on wood), a pleasure to drive. Highly recommend to anyone looking for an understated but elegant car.

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  A perfect match with DSG and V6! - 2005 Audi TT
  By ttsline - September 26 - 2:00 am

  Performance: Along with the introduction of V6 engine in TT, the biggest highlight has to be DSG or Direct Shift Gearbox tranny. This tranny has 2 clutches: 1st clutch for gear 1-3-5 and 2nd clutch for gear 2-4- 6. The result is a shifting speed that is quicker than any stick shift available anywhere on the market.This sequential gearbox also has very smooth and linear during gear transitions.

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  A even more fun car with DSG and V6 - 2004 Audi TT
  By agentt - September 26 - 2:00 am

  What more I can say?! Fun to drive. V6 and DSG push the car to another level. Especially DSG, you have to try it to believe it. So quick and smooth. And the tuned sound from the exhuasts, it makes you feel like you are inside a F1. 4WD takes me anywhere I want to go even a trip to the nearest skiing resort in the winter. So versatile, I can put 2 golf bags at the back (both rear seats have to be folded down) without any problem. Put a car seat at the back(Yes, you can put a car seat at the back. My 2 year old daughter loves to ride in my red TT), it becomes my family sport wagon.

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  Beats BMW/Volvo - 2004 Audi A6
  By Dutchgirl - September 24 - 2:00 am

  Only 2wks but love this car! Drove BMW 525 (same price range) and was NOT impressed. Would have to spend more $$$ for a 545 to match the HP and perf. of of the 2.7S. Heavenly cabin w/quality materials, tight build and responsive handling.

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  A4 Avant = Awesome Ride - 2007 Audi A4
  By Billster - September 23 - 9:43 pm

  My second A4 Avant and it is better than my 2003 was. Faster, better handling, great looking both inside and out. Better mileage and bang for your buck than any Benz or BMW out there. For $40k with most of the upgrades, this baby rocks. Black and beige is a babe magnet.

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  Great car, love that Turbo whine - 2001 Audi S4
  By splattt - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Abundant power, lots of aftermarket performance and style additions available. Its a nice stealth sedan, doesnt draw unwanted attention from the authorities.

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  Give me a brake (yes brake) - 2003 Audi A8
  By Gerald Krassner - September 22 - 2:00 am

  To be in the big league price category you need a reliable well riding automobile. My A8L had brakes replaced 4 times in 50,000 miles. Navigation had to be replaced. Tire pressuer monitor never worked properly. I disconnected it. The timing chain had to be replaced at 51,000 miles. Noise level high, I used to think a window was open. Still do. Forget about the suspension, My sons Civic takes the bumps better as well as the curves.

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  Ding Dong the Witch is DEAD! - 2016 Audi A4
  By ZCT - September 21 - 6:11 pm

  I just had the misfortune of renting this car for a week. Wow, what a joke. I had the base model with the S-Line package and a few extras like navigation. The car was wholly unpleasant to drive. The CVT an obvious annoyance, the interior, instrumentation and controls utterly mediocre and old fashioned. It wasnt antiquated like a Subaru, but it seemed like a step down from even a VW, which is inexcusable for the cost. Everything about the driving experience made me completely puzzled as to why anyone would cross shop with this a similarly priced BMW 3 Series and pick this Audi. Im not a BMW fanboy or anything, but the two vehicles are incompatible in driving experience, and yet they are about the same price. Audi is supposed to be the premium arm of VW, and yet frankly this car is so easily bested in this segment by so many alternatives. Thank goodness that the 2017 model is a complete redesign.