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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  Made me a believer!! - 2012 Audi S4
  By audibmwguy1 - January 17 - 6:01 pm

  I purchased my first Audi in late 2011, I purchased a 2012 Q5 2.0T, I have driven BMWs exclusively for the last 10 years and I drove the Q5 on advice from a friend that has owned several Audis. Much to my surprise, I was very pleasantly surprised with the drivability and overall build quality of my Audi. After driving the Q5 for about 3 months, I decided I wanted something a little sportier and faster and I drove the S5 convertible as well as the S4 Sedan and fell in love with the S4. I have to say that comparing the S4 to an M3 ( I have owned 3 new ones) the double clutch of the S4 is far superior, it is silky smooth and takes off like a rocket. I could not be more pleased with the car

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  2012 Audi A4 Premium Plus - 2012 Audi A4
  By penpen1999 - January 14 - 2:16 am

  Bought a new 2012 A4 in November. I was shocked that a $40,880 vehicle does not support Bluetooth Audio streaming when a budget car like the Ford Fiesta does! The rear headrests are so large that they block 20% of the rear windshield. The Bluetooth voice command requires a separate phonebook that requires user entry The steering feels artificial and loose and lacks good road feel. My highway gas mileage has been 24 MPG but the spec said 29 MPG. I have been very gentle with the accelerator (less than 2000 rpm) and only drive highway so this is far lower than I expected. I get 30 MPG in my Accord when the spec says 29. The instantaneous MPG on the trip computer says 200 MPG sometime

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  Audi S5 turns heads and excites the senses - 2012 Audi S5
  By mobility1 - January 12 - 2:24 pm

  Own a 2012 S5 after testing the 2.0 A5 in pretty much every configuration available at the dealership. Im not sure why Edmunds thinks the steering is "contrived" or "artficial" because my experience is of an extremely tactile and responsive control system. My own gas mileage IS actually improving as I learn how to properly drive the car. Now at 1000 miles I am getting closer to 26 to 28 hwy and 15 to 19 city mpg now thanks to my judicious use of the responsive cruise control, and active mileage monitoring system, and I can adjust my driving style to suit. Well-mannered in traffic when it needs to be, and becomes an elegant beast when pushed with very little effort.

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  Fun to drive, costly to own - 2006 Audi A4
  By jdr8n - January 11 - 3:39 pm

  Original purchaser, just over 5 years with not quite 60k kms/37k mi on it, all easy miles. All maintenance done by Audi per recommended schedule. Great car to drive, but expensive to maintain once OoW. Low oil pressure light/check engine light 1 month out of warranty. Known issue with oil starvation due to sludge requires a complete engine replacement - $12k. Dealer went to bat for me and Audis covering a portion, but even so, its more than I spent on my last 2 Fords with twice the mileage. Clicking noises come from dash when cold due to known issues with actuators. Audi wont cover even though reported under warranty. Even basic service is 2X my Ford/Honda. Costly lesson.

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  Disappointed - 2008 Audi Q7
  By tazzygirl - January 11 - 7:58 am

  I purchased my Q7 October 2008 & loved it for the first 2 years. October 2010 things started to go wrong. I drive a lot of highway miles so it was out of warranty. The lane side assist went out, the latch for the rear moonroof broke ($900.00 for a latch!) & in November 2010 the heat went out, only on the drivers side, then both motors on the mirros went out at a cost of over $300.00 each. It is now January 2012 & I am still dealing with heat issues after spending $1500.00 in repairs it still doesnt work properly, sometimes not at all. Now my remote is beginning to fail. I have spent the last 15 months dealing with failures & expenses. Im done! Will never buy Audi again!

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  Very sorry I bought this car. - 2012 Audi Q5
  By karlpach - January 5 - 3:09 pm

  The Q5 is great but Ive had a very bad experience with mine and cant give it a good review. The skylight shattered by itself in very cold weather, and the dealer told me it is a known issue with the 2012 Q5 in cold weather. The dealer has had the car for a month and its still not fixed. They say the skylight has to come from Germany and they cant get a correct replacement part. Rusnak says thell make it up to me by giving me a couple of payments, but it doesnt really make up for the time lost. I bought the car because I wanted to drive it, and so far, it just hasnt worked out.

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  Way beyond my expectations - 2012 Audi A6
  By audia620t - January 4 - 1:02 am

  I thought the 5 series was a nice car, until I went to the Audi dealer. We found the Audi to be so much nicer than the BMW that there was no comparison. One drive in the A6 and I was sold. After the fact, I am continually more and more impressed with this car. I am very, very pleased.

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  Worst car Ever!! - 2009 Audi A4
  By holms - January 1 - 6:35 pm

  Owning an Audi has been the worst experience ever!! Have owned it for 2.75 years now. Leased it after coming from a BMW I loved the free maintenance but this was an extra $800 for the Audi care package. I was able to negotiate it into the lease for no cost, so glad. My wife and I thought we got a great deal cuz we got all the bells and whistles for the same cost of a BMW base model. Well I hate driving this car and am so happy to give it back in 3 months. Audi service department sucks!!! You are nobody when you walk in. As soon as they see that I have Audi Care they start treating you better but they dont listen to you and dont call you when your car is done.

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  Former BMW/MBZ Driver - Now an Audi Driver - 2006 Audi A4
  By 2bsi2 - January 1 - 4:50 pm

  For the last 15 years I drove a BMW or MBZ, beacause what I like to call "QUALITY OF DRIVE." Downside higher fuel costs & repairs. Another BMW/MBZ is out of the question as pricing isnt sensible and searched until I was surprised by the quality of the Audi A4. My near-new A4 is as surefooted as my BMW, but tons lighter like my MBZ. Luxury is not lacking but, could be better. What I love the most is both my BMW/MBZs ran approx 16-21 mpg -- Im now at 30 MPGs in my Audi A4 2.0T and she gets me 500 miles between fill-ups. This is the best of both worlds! Since I also purchased Near New I purchased the extended warranty -- german vehicles can be fickle -- you just never know.

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  Still loving my Q5 after 15k miles! - 2011 Audi Q5
  By bjterp00 - December 31 - 11:59 pm

  I have put 15k miles on my Q5 since taking delivery just over 8 months ago, and I am loving it! The design is great inside and out -- an extremely handsome car. The interior fit and finish is impressive, especially the special order ash wood inlays. The Bose audio, built-in nav and Bluetooth systems are all great. The Q5 handles very well for an SUV -- very car-like, and the 3.2 L V-6 is very smooth. The transmission responds well whether driving leisurely or aggressively. The S setting on the PRNDL really kicks it up a notch by holding gears to redline during acceleration.