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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  Audi review - 2016 Audi A6
  By Kevin Leaderer - July 31 - 11:35 pm

  Cant go wrong

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  So much fun... - 2003 Audi A4
  By bostonhomerj - July 30 - 10:00 am

  ...Youll forget that you were being practical. I was most surprised to find the car had additional torque at 80 mph on the highway. The fuel efficiency of the 1.8T Quattro is an added bonus as gas prices go through the roof. Ive put 20000 miles on my car this year, and plan on putting plenty more.

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  Amazing car - 2003 Audi A4
  By Silentbob1214 - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Audi A4 for 9 months and it is by far the most fun I have ever had in a car. The interior is beautiful and plush and it looks so nice going down the side of the road. But when you are driving down the road and are able to have the wind in your face going at high speeds youll never drive a car the same again.

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  Id buy one again...... - 2003 Audi A4
  By Brian Hart - July 30 - 10:00 am

  With 2 years and 35k passed I am continually impressed with the comfort level and fun to drive quotient that I got for my money. A re-ocurring problem with the coil packs was finally resolved. I have to comend Audi on their care for the customer. Through general maintenance at Fred Baker in which they have gone out of there way to help me, and into the Road Side assistance that rescued me 970 miles from home after my girlfriend locked BOTH sets of keys in the car.I am very impressed with the vehicle and also the level of service that stands behind it. I would buy one again.........

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  Excellent AWD car - 2006 Audi A4
  By Mike - July 27 - 2:06 am

  Ive owned this car for just a few weeks and the handling is superb. The interior material are of top notch quality and the seats are very comfortable, though its a little tight for adult back seat passengers for a long ride. For a four cylinder this car has plenty of pep, most six cylinders couldnt come close. The standard stereo has very decent sound, but I wish I opted for the premium Bose with satellite radio. That was my error. Adding the proper satellite tuner now to the satellite ready stereo is about $400.00.

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  Love my A3 - 2017 Audi A3
  By Nina Psihoules - July 20 - 1:47 pm

  I love this car. I leased a 2015 A3 base model, and loved it so much I upgraded to a 2017 Premium Quattro. Although it is a little small for my husbands comfort (hes 62") I am completely comfortable in the car. I feel safe and secure. I hope to own this car for a very long time.

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  Cutting edge entry luxury - 2017 Audi A4
  By audi fan - July 18 - 6:17 pm

  Impressive technology, interior design, and ride quality with silent interior at speed.

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  snowtoy - 2001 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By wbk - July 16 - 10:00 am

  Its been a bombproof car. Amazing in bad weather, quiet comfortable and reliable.

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  Q7 Love! - 2013 Audi Q7
  By Chuck - July 15 - 8:27 pm

  Im in my third q7 and I cannot get enough. Frankly, the vehicle has no flaws...and trust me, I look for them!

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  Great Car With a Big Problem - 2016 Audi S5
  By Rotex - July 14 - 4:07 am

  After jumping to the S5 model from the Audi A5, I wondered why I hadnt done it sooner. The difference is remarkable, both in performance, as well as an overall graduation to nicer interior stylings, technology and engineering. With the beast 333 hp supercharged engine under the hood, the acceleration from a dead stop was palpable, if not downright enjoyable. Outer stylings will certainly turn heads, as the car jumps off the page demonstrating elegance with an understated sportiness, particularly with the hardtop coupe model. The technology and dashboard layout can be both intimidating and frustrating, for example many controls are dash mounted, consequently, its important to learn where everything is prior to getting in it and spinning around town. Sadly, in my case, the vehicle has only 18,000 km on it over two years, and paint is flaking off in large 25cent size pieces from the rocker panels on both sides of the car (where you would expect the paint to never fall off). I have notified the dealer in Mississauga, Ontario in this case, who recommended I go to Audi Canada, since it was out of their hands. I have contacted Audi Canada about the issue and they are unwilling to do anything about it citing road damage. I live in the city, drive the car infrequently on paved roads only, and do not drive the car in winter (as I spend my time in the south). Quite frankly, I am surprised by Audis reluctance to do anything about it, since I am a repeat buyer, which is prompting me to look elsewhere when I replace my car in another year or so. However, when I do drive the Audi S5, the flaking paint is a good advertisement for the poor quality paint Audi has put on my car and anyone who asks, I tell them the problem. Other than that, defer to my earlier comments about performance, and its highly recommended vehicle if you dont mind the paint falling off it.