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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  Rock Solid Convertible - 1994 Audi Cabriolet
  By Schiek - September 1 - 2:00 am

  This Audi Cabriolet is the most solid convertible at ten years old. We fell in love with the new Audi Cabriolet, but as a third car it was not affordable for us. The first generation of the Cab is an excellent alternative. We also own a 2004 Audi A4 Avant, and people think we have two new Audis.

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  Great Car - 2000 Audi A6
  By Conejito - September 1 - 2:00 am

  I love my A6. Very attractive exterior design. The inside is luxurious and spacious. Much more storage space than the BMW 5 series. I highly recommend it.

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  GreaTT Vehicle - 2004 Audi TT
  By Mencolote - September 1 - 2:00 am

  Whats not to like about this car. Everything is simply well engineered and designed. From the curves of the body to the comfort of the seats, from the quick acceleration to the superb handling, from the all wheel drive to the ergonomic steering wheel, from the low gas milage to the cool gas cap and so on. This car compares with non other I have driven, and I test drove several other sport coupesin its price range and above. I look forward to driving the car to its limits everyday and I have not found them yet!

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  SUV Meets Sports Car - 2004 Audi A4
  By Schiek - September 1 - 2:00 am

  The A4 Quattro is the best perfoming four season vehicle I have ever driven. It handles like it is on rails on twisty roads. It will never slip in the snow.

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  Best Car Ever - 2005 Audi S4
  By RVT - August 30 - 2:00 am

  Seriously, I never had a better car than this Audi... It must be said that nothing compares to German Engeneering... The 4.2litre V8 with 5 valves per cylinder produces so much horsepower that you are just thrown in your chair when you touch the pedal... I drove this Audi, and I drove a Porsche too... Both were really fast, but this Audi has more to offer for a lower price so... really, If youre looking for a beautiful family car that drives like a Ferrari, the Audi S4 is your best buy!

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  Help is on the way - 2014 Audi Q5
  By Hardy Kornfeld - August 29 - 8:03 pm

  This is my third update on a review posted shortly after I bought my 2014 Q5 TDI. I loved the car then and I still do today, despite Audis diesel fiasco. Pros: 1. This is a very comfortable car to sit in on the commute and long hauls. The front seats are great unless you want to pretend its a sports car, in which case they lack a bit of lateral support. The Q5 does its suburban transport function perfectly well and the panoramic roof glass gives it an airy feeling. Like all the Audis in my experience, the drivers sight lines are excellent. 2. The fuel economy has gone from outstanding to somewhat higher than that. In the same mixed driving pattern since purchase, Im now averaging 31-33 mpg measured at the tank (the low end of that range in winter). High 30s with pure highway driving. For a 4400 pound truck with a 5000 pound towing capacity, thats supernatural. 3. About that towing capacity; I still havent hauled any really heavy loads but the Q5 tows 1000 pounds of motorcycle plus trailer with barely any hit on fuel consumption. 4. Driving dynamics are very good within limits. Body roll is minimal for an SUV, the steering is reasonably quick and accurate without being nervous, braking effort is linear and absolute stopping power is good but not stellar. Ride quality is quite good, striking an excellent balance of composed cornering without too stiff damping. While I usually dont ask much of the engine and rarely spin it above 1800 rpm, when acceleration is called for at any speed that initial torque surge is amazing. 5. The Q5 is good in winter, particularly since I put on Nokian Hakkapeliitta winter tires (probably not needed but they provide more braking performance in snow). Excellent ground clearance, the wheel wells dont get packed up with snow and the traction control is effective without being intrusive. It would be nice to have a locking center diff but the Quattro is perfectly fine for most snow conditions. The defroster does a good job but it would help to have a windshield option as it does get packed up with snow and ice at the base and left side of the window. 6. VWAG finally has a plan to deal with the 3.0 liter diesel scam and it looks good. Last year I got a $500 debit card for any purchase and another $500 card to use exclusively at Audi dealerships. Now theyre on the verge of recall the car to implement the fix, which appears to be limited to ECU reprogramming. We will have to see if this adversely affects performance or fuel economy with no third party reports yet, as far as I know. One cause for optimism is that a friend of mine with a Golf Sportwagen TDI had no degradation of mileage or performance after recent fix of his 2.0 liter I-4. Audi will also evidently give me something in the range of $7000 compensation with a smaller amount coming from Bosch. That will have a significant impact in cost of ownership (and might put me in a new Porsche Cayman or Corvette Grand Sport when I trade in my other car next year!). Cons: 1. The steering has poor on-center feel which is a bit irritating when I set out on highway driving although after a bit of time I stop noticing it. 2. While the stopping power is adequate, the initial brake feel is spongy. I much prefer brakes that have a strong initial bite and linear rise in stopping power, like those on my Audi S4. 3. The defroster is adequate but in very snowy conditions it would be nice to have a heated windshield base or heated washer fluid. 4. I would prefer to have engine stop start switch in a more intuitive position. The system itself is not bad; the engine restarts quickly and smoothly. But I only want to use it when I anticipate a relatively long stop, like arriving at a traffic light that has just turned red. So I am turning the system on and off multiple times in local driving but its hard to find the switch without taking my eyes off the road. 5. The interior trim on the drivers side door and left front of the dashboard reflects sunlight on the instruments and windshield under some circumstances. Its an occasional minor irritation. Overall, its hard to find much to complain about with this car!

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  great ride - 1995 Audi 90
  By ranapoona - August 29 - 2:00 am

  I live in upper middwest & quattro has never let me down despite lack of judgement when selecting unplowed routes to work. replaced one front ball joint ($200) one heater vent servo, and routine stuff (brake pads & oil). good cargo (40/60 fold down seat) for its size (big trip to IKEA) overall excellent value, still sporty with excellent all conditions handaling and more safety features than other cars its age.

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  My Third Quattro - Highly Recommended - 1997 Audi A4
  By MarkHG - August 29 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Audi Quattro (4000Q and 90Q) that I have had for more than 100,000 miles. I have been very happy with every aspect of the car. After 100,000 miles it runs and looks great. The performance and gas mileage have only IMPROVED as the mileage piled up. The Quattro system (and heated leather seats) easily conquers anything a New England winter can throw at me (and I live in the mountains).

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  04 S4 Review - 2004 Audi S4
  By estim8d - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Coming from a 02 BMW 3 series, I have high expectations, and I have to say, the solid, tutonic build quality of this auto is amazing. Quieter, a touch softer although still very stiff and accurate, this car rocks. Really enjoying it.

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  A6 Owner - 2004 Audi A6
  By cnjstewart - August 29 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely LOVE this car! You have to test drive it before you buy anything else. It handles extremely well, no surprise since Audi is traditionally a racing car. Total luxury inside and out, smooth ride, and great value overall.