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:

• 

  German Engineering?..i get it now. - 2007 Audi A3
  By mikers6 - August 16 - 4:41 am

  As a 40 year old driver, i have had alot of vehicles, mostly American, some Asian. I purchased a 1 owner 80,000 mile 2007 A3 2.0T. It is the best car i have ever owned. for those of you driving arround in American or Japanese cars...you are really missing out on "real driving" this entry level Audi runs circles around the big 3s flagship cars. Fun to drive, reliable, quick, and Quality, Quality, Quality. I will now only consider European cars. And Audi is the best bang for your buck in quality, luxury, style and covers every need. At 80,000 now 95,000 miles it is mistaken for brand new by people on the street. No problums doing 50-70 miles 7 days a week. I LOVE THIS CAR!!

• 

  Sure isnt a Honda or Toyota!! - 1997 Audi A4
  By cpr8 - August 15 - 6:44 am

  I bought my A4 used about a year ago, and I have fallen in love! There is no other used car out there that can match the fun to drive, reliability, build quality, or fuel economy for that matter. I can manage around 20-24 around town, and at most 28 on the highway, thats pretty good, considering its a 15 year old car with 215,000 miles on it, with a V6, and Quattro. Like I said, it has 215,000, and it still runs like a dream. The only problem I have had with it is an EGR code always popping up, I went thru the whole EGR system, and couldnt find anything. Turns out it was the filler hose on the gas tank, sense it also leaked when I filled it up.

• 

  Not worth it - 2006 Audi A6
  By barba311 - August 9 - 8:33 pm

  Although its a beutiful, luxurious car, there are a lot of trouble spots. First, the oil change costs over $100 every time because it requires 7 quarts of synthetic plus oil. Next, the fuel economy is terrible. Gets no more than 15 on the city. Possibly 20 on the highway. Next, I had water pumps break under the car which resulted in flooding of the floor and a horrible mildew smell. This happened 3 times. Beautiful appearence, but too many cons to reccomend. Instead, I reccomend the Lexus GS or Infiniti M

• 

  Fantastic vehicle - 2007 Audi S8
  By sguillen - August 8 - 10:27 pm

  Fun to drive. Incredibly fast when in "S" mode. Comfortably seats 5. Great interior craftsmanship. Even my wife said she could see what was "so special" about the car. Definitely consider Certified Pre-owned if available because potential repair costs would be astronomical.

• 

  Great - 2012 Audi Q5
  By jolietjay - August 4 - 11:39 am

  Drives great, rides great - this is the best driving crossover/SUV Ive even driven. Better overall quality/finish than the BMW X3, and nothing else comes close. The 2.0T engine has plenty of power, and the acceleration is much better than you would suspect - passing power on the highway is excellent. Options on the Premium Plus are nice - Zenon Lights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, sunroof, dual setting memory seats. I dont know how much you get from a dual-zone climate control when you are sitting right next to the passenger - its just one more thing to adjust. The bluetooth hands-free connection to a mobile phone, and speaker/mic is excellent. Highly recommended!!!

• 

  Great car for enthusiasts only - 2007 Audi A4
  By b_dirty - August 3 - 7:49 pm

  I bought this car knowing that maintenance might be an issue, and that it would need a lot of care. Luckily, I didnt buy it because it was known for reliability or even performance. I bought it because I love Audi, and Ive never regretted it. This car has the potential to become an amazing vehicle with some tweaks and some serious attention. If you want a car that you can drive and never have to think about then DONT buy this car. This car needs to be loved. If it is worry free driving youre after, then buy a Hyundai, Nissan, or Honda. This is for people who love tuning, and love cars.

• 

  Best Audi so far. - 2012 Audi A7
  By rbgar95 - August 2 - 7:31 pm

  We have had the A7 for a few months now. This car is amazing, its a real head turner. With the ability to change the drive, is amazing. For me Dynamic is great, and for my wife comfort is great. The only down side to this car is the small head room in the rear. Audi has hit a real home run with this car!!!

• 

  Amazing - 2012 Audi Q7
  By analyzthis02 - July 31 - 2:36 am

  It is beautiful, fast (Im gonna get a ticket... I can just tell), quiet- the only thing I can hear is the 1,000 watt B and O system that puts music into your soul, advanced technology- that will take me years to figure out... have I mentioned it is a head turning German engineered machine?

• 

  Great car with one fatal flaw for long distance commuters - 2011 Audi A4
  By regularbloke - July 30 - 3:36 pm

  I was looking for entry level luxury sedan. I drove Infiniti G35 and Audi A4. Planned to test BMW and Mercedes as well but liked A4 so much that I just bought it. After driving for four months and more than 6000 miles, I am not sure if it was the right decision. I am 5 11 175lbs male. I drive 38 miles one way to work. The front seats are comfortable but once I adjust my seat I cannot rest either the left elbow or the right elbow to be able to hold the steering comfortably. The placement of the elbow support on the left hand side is especially bad. It is too far away from the elbow and is not useable. Even the right elbow support is not great but not as bad as left one.

• 

  Great fun - 2012 Audi A6
  By revdr2 - July 29 - 12:54 am

  Compared A-6 to BMW 535 and bought A-6 which had much more standard equipment and is more fun to drive and visually striking.