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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  So far, so good. - 2012 Audi A4
  By saw5343 - February 10 - 9:38 am

  I decided to take a chance on a German vehicle with reservations about reliability. Ive put 4k miles on the car so far with no issues. Very happy with all aspects of the car. Handles well, gets good mileage (right at 25 overall) and is very comfortable. I have the sport package and was concerned that the ride might be punishing, however it is just firm and still very comfortable. The dealer experience has been excellent. Ive had no issues with it burning excessive oil as some others have had. Hopefully the positive trend will continue.

• 

  Take care of beauty - 2003 Audi A6
  By newlines34 - February 6 - 6:00 pm

  Ive driven this A6 for almost a month. Interior-wise, it is beautiful, comfortable. It had left engine mount broken and center engine mount broken off. One tube wasnt even connected.

• 

  Oil leak Problem - 2003 Audi A4
  By samnim - February 1 - 12:57 pm

  As much fun to drive this car as, as much as the oil leakage does hurt your budget, so far I did spend close to 6000$ on this car in repairs, and yet the issue of oil leak was not fixed. and I was last called by the dealer to tell me, it needs an engine rebuild and this will cost me another 3000-4000 $ and they are not sure if it will solve the massive loss of oil ( more than a quarter of oil every 900 miles )

• 

  AWESOME CAR!!! - 2012 Audi A6
  By psycsurg - January 30 - 6:29 pm

  I absolutely love this car, amazing power, wonderful stability and control, immaculate interior, perfect craftsmanship!!!

• 

  Truly fine automobile - 2007 Audi A8
  By swissman564 - January 28 - 5:35 pm

  I bought my 07 A8L a year ago at Tysons Audi in Virginia. It had 61,000 miles on it and although it looked practically showroom new in every way, I was a bit worried about spending serious money on a 4-yr old car with that many miles. My worries have been laid to rest 20K miles later. I have owned 4 BMWs (7, 5, and 3 Series) and one Benz. I never liked the Benz but loved all of my BMWs and never thought I could appreciate a car more than a BMW. The 1st time I laid eyes on this car I fell in love with the looks. Mechanically, fit & finish and handling, this is the Ubermachine from Germany. Simple as that. No use enumerating it all. Enough said. Im in love.

• 

  German engineered nonsense - 2009 Audi Q5
  By gigles - January 26 - 9:35 am

  Instead of going into a long winded review of my 2009 Audi Q5, i will simply list the warranty work that has been performed thus far: - replaced center console - replaced water pump - replaced exterior HID light system - repaired gas lid - replaced rear hatch struts - removed engine for DE-carbon (3 full days) - replaced fuel injection - replaced steering rod & pump Non warranty: - replaced brakes and rotors (30K)

• 

  300K Miles and Still Going - 1996 Audi A6
  By milo65 - January 25 - 1:13 pm

  Well maintained and still running! Timing belt every 90K, heating core at 280K, otherwise just brakes, belts, and tires.

• 

  Overpriced and sparse - 2012 Audi A4
  By pensman - January 22 - 8:39 am

  The car is nimble with excellent acceleration and tight steering. But the cabin is bare enough to remind one of Mother Hubbards Cupboard. Everything that is standard on a Kia is an extra here. For a $35,000 car you do not even get a self dimming rearview mirror. The MMI is clunky and anti intuitive. The stereo system is bare bones. Milage is about 17 city and 25 higway.

• 

  Q5 is Like an Apple Product - 2012 Audi Q5
  By ccc6588 - January 21 - 11:30 am

  I have a 2.0 Silver/Black with Moon Roof, Convenience package, Heated Seats and Exhaust Tips. In my area it was very difficult to find the 2.0 so I had to go 70 miles away to get one. I have no regrets. My Q5 feels like an Apple product and every time I am in it, it makes me feel good. It is fun to drive and the interior and exterior are top notch. I have owned 2 BMW sedans previously and also looked at the X3 very hard. I am a type that sticks to what has worked in the past and the 2 BMWs I had were just fine. I had some reservations about Audis past quality issues. The bottom line for me was the Q5 was superior in everyway like an Apple product.

• 

  S4! - 2012 Audi S4
  By ryan1845 - January 17 - 7:32 pm

  Phantom Black 2012 S4 Prestige edition, 7 speed dual clutch S tronic, quattro, dynamic steering, Audi drive select w/ sports differential, carbon fiber inlays, power sun shades. Beautiful, powerful, dynamic, efficient, all wheel drive, 333 hp, 325 lbs torque, huge trunk, 4 door = perfect car. Sometimes BMW M owners get sad when I drive by :(