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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  Love my TT! - 2003 Audi TT
  By delta - February 4 - 2:00 am

  I have so much fun driving my TT. The one drawback is all the attention you get in it, people are sometimes a little aggressive to want to see it, sit in it, etc.

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  German Nightmare!!!!!!!!!! - 1999 Audi A4
  By Ollie McGrath - February 3 - 10:00 am

  Stay away from this car! The control arms are a poor design and need to be replaced every 30,000 miles. $600 job!!! Audi has created a great recurring revenue stream for themselves. Buy a BMW, SAAB,Volvo, or even buy a Ford before you buy this poorly designed piece of JUNK!

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  Audi A6 Quattro - 1997 Audi A6
  By deutschdan - February 3 - 2:00 am

  Good driving German car with exceptional traction. However, its difficult to get parts and expensive to maintain.

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  Best Vehicle I Have Owned - 2017 Audi Q7
  By Brian - February 2 - 9:17 am

  I replaced a 2011 Q7 S-Line with 100,000 miles with the new 2017. I had some apprehension buying another Q7 mainly due to the user face to the navigation/entertainment (MMI) system along with the very poor keyless entry system on my 2011. The 2011 was frustrating on a good day, basically a great car destroyed by bad programming but the engine/transmission combination was awesome. So I test drove the 2017 with my list of frustrations and likes from my 2011 vehicle and was very happy to see that most all of my concerns had been fixed or greatly improved upon in the 2017. So I factory ordered another Q7, with everything but the driver assistance package and the Bang & Olufsen sound system. I drive 120+ miles everyday so I am very focused on driver comfort, safety features and ease of use on all features. This car excels in all areas. It is extremely quiet and there is no road noise from the tires. Engine responsiveness is still exceptional. Gas mileage is surprisingly good as I am averaging around 25MPG and I have hit 28+MPG on a few tanks of highway driving. I liked the 2011 as it got about 20MPG and combined with the 26 gallon fuel tank it had great range. The range has improved on the 2017 by 50-70 miles despite the smaller (22.5 gallon) fuel tank. User interface to the entertainment/navigation system is much easier and more configurable and does not require you to take your eyes of the road to find the correct button. The heads up indication of speed, cruise control speed setting and navigational turns is excellent, not sure I can ever do without this in the future! Also, the ability to utilize the map on the drivers dash display is very nice to have. Keyless entry actually works, the old system had so many time delays built into it for some unknown "personal safety" logic that it was basically useless and typically resulted in me cussing out some unknown Audi programming or product management team somewhere unknown.... Seating comfort with the luxury package is excellent and highly configurable. So far my only three complaints or observations are: 1.) On the navigation system display on the 3.0 mile scaling screen it displays random temperature numbers and the cloudy/rainy symbol in 1-4 locations across the map. Does not seem to happen at any other scaling setting. 2.) The tilt steering does not go down close enough to my legs for my own personal taste, seems to stop in too high (straight) of a setting. 3.) On an overcast or partially sunny day it seems like the auto fan setting wants to stay in too high of a setting and basically makes you feel cold and also creates more noise than necessary. Overall the vehicle is excellent and I enjoy my daily drive.

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  Great car, dodgy service in UK (europe) - 1995 Audi A6
  By Paul W - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Beware those dodgy Audi services (in UK)!!!! Expect after a routine oil change issues with the automatic gear box - that would need cleaning...Count on $75 to $125 costs Also check the brackets of the silencer - they may be easily broken, ..replacement of the whole silencer - some $400. Some dealers will suggest the replacement of the whole exhaust system. No way !($1,500) Beware of the more dangerous tempering with the calipers ! If your car goes to service in good condition, but comes back with a strange burned-ruber odour emanating from your wheels, your breaks had been temepered with. ..$1,000 service cost

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  perfect car - 2003 Audi TT
  By lugay - February 2 - 2:00 am

  i think this is the most beautiful car on earth inside and out. turbo lag is forgiveable because of the great mid range acceleration. great bose stereo. great engine sounds. moro blue is a great color.

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  Squealing Brakes - 2003 Audi A6
  By 5speed6 - February 1 - 2:00 am

  I got an Audi A6 for a change of pace from a BMW 528. But, I am having a problem that has turned my likes into dislike. For the past 1500 miles, the brakes have been squealing terribly when braking. The dealer did an adjustment on them which Audi recommends for this problem. All they did was scuff up the pads and rotors with sandpaper. 30 miles later, and they were squealing again. Spoke to Audi customer service, and they consider this acceptable due to the nature of semi-metallic brake pads. They said there is nothing else they can do if there is no physical problem. So I get to drive around a $50K car that sounds like a city garbage truck when braking.

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  Why did I purchase this car? - 1997 Audi A4
  By Super A - January 31 - 2:00 am

  This is the most absolutely, dispisable vehicle I have owned in all my life! I have had to replace the heater core $1,400 job, tape player, the muffler,throttle body $600, ignition switch, power switch, brakes & rotors, $1,000, turbo $1,000, oil pump, something with the suspension & steering, and six lights. All of this, in the 2 1/2 years Ive had the car.

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  2003 A6 3.0 Quattro - 2002 Audi A6
  By New to Audi - January 31 - 2:00 am

  I am coming out of a Toyota Avalon and have never owned a European sports sedan. Looked at Infiniti G35, Acura, Volkswagon,and Lexus. Wanted something more conservative and low key than a BMW. Only have owned for 30 days but so far so good. Dealership worked very hard to earn my business and was much more aggressive on price than I expected. Considered 2.7T model, but prefered the steering wheel radio controls in the 3.0 Quattro.

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  Best of the Best! - 2000 Audi A6
  By JWH222 - January 30 - 2:00 am

  Compared to all other vehicles in its class Audi beats each hands down. In addition to that the service from the dealer is world class. Who says you cant get great cars and great customer service anymore! The AWD alone puts this car on top. Add to that awesome performance, styling and reliability. Fantastic car!