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:

• 

  AAA-Awesome-Amazing-Aboslutely must own. - 2001 Audi TT
  By mrrocklin - October 18 - 2:00 am

  My TT roadster is truly awesome not only in looks but in its manageability on the road. The drive is so smooth at any speed. Before buying any other roadster - youve got to try the Audi TT roadster. Youll love it!!

• 

  A6 "A Technical Nightmare" - 2005 Audi A6
  By John 206 - October 17 - 3:20 pm

  Since I got my new 2005 A6 three weeks ago, there is a hesitation problem. When starting from a dead stop, the vehicle will occasionally hesitate in first and second gear. From the time you press the gas pedal until the engine responds, there is 1 to 3 seconds delay which is a real problem in traffic. I have taken for service to two different dealers with no solution. Since the dealers computerized diagnostic program does not show an error message, they dont have a clue. All controls are computer and software driven including the electrical linkage from the gas pedal to the engine. The A6 is so technically complex, I fear the vehicle is a technical nightmare.

• 

  Tremendous Value - 2003 Audi A4
  By DaveNiceCar - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I just turned 5K on my 2003 1.8T. Its got every option available, aside from the Onstar. I highly recommend the sport package if you enjoy driving. I swapped the 17-inch summer tires and went with Blizzaks for the CT winter season and it was WELL worth it. This car can drive through anything. The turbo is a bit light in the low end, but overall it does very well for a 4 cylinder. The G35 is a great sports car, but I would have been stuck in the garage for the entire winter. Versus the 325 (x)i, the 1.8T with all options is a good choice that will save you lots of cash and not sacrifice performance.

• 

  engine coil problem has been resolved - 2003 Audi A4
  By informed choice - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Did much research and comparison before settling on the Audi A4 quattro 1.8T. The reliability concerns in some reviews were largely due to an engine coil problem that has been resolved. Earlier versions of the 2003 that were still on the sale lots should have had this correct. Check on this. Later in the model year, all cars should have had the problem corrected at the factory. Also, the later version of the premium package does include power front seats, along with leather seat surfaces, sunroof, and built in garage door remote. Im loving this car. FUN TO DRIVE, and gas milage, so far, has been even better than that advertised.

• 

  audi - 1999 Audi A6
  By popsow - October 16 - 2:00 am

  best handling car with fantastic roadability

• 

  My new 4 door sports car - 2016 Audi S6
  By Steven L. Weinstein - October 15 - 6:36 pm

  I spent almost a month looking for an S6. I just relocated to Sunny Florida last year after living in upstate New York for most of my life. I own a 2014 Porsche Carerra 4S. I brought a 2007 Chevy Tahoe SUV down and was looking to trade it twords an S6. I finally located the car and made arrangements to test drive it. I was totally amazed a 4 door sedan could drive like the S6. The rest is history as I bought the S6 and traded my 07 Tahoe. The car came with the high-end B & O sound system among other options, which is just amazing. Im so used to getting second looks in my Porsche but this car is a wolf in sheeps clothing.. No one gives you a second look which I love... When you step on the gas, I feel like Im in the Porsche!

• 

  Great Decision - 2006 Audi A3
  By Courtney - October 15 - 12:40 am

  After initially looking for an SUV, this purchase was a great decision. The A3 is a blast to drive, particularly when using the DSG transmission. The Open-sky is very cool and keeps the whole interior bright but slightly noisy when open. The Bose stereo is imperative. Im 60 and have a little trouble finding a comfortable seat position, but thankfully have the auto driver seat. The only problem I have with the car is the narrow space between the brake and accelerator pedals where I often kick the brake when trying to reach the accelerator.

• 

  choose wisely - 2002 Audi TT
  By Chris_steiner - October 14 - 2:00 am

  initially, we thought we would never sel this car. Boy were we wrong. Handling and performance are great, but what a dissapointment in terms of maintenance and aggrivation. small plastic pieces (knobs, buttons, levers, etc. ) are CONSTANTLY popping-off or breaking. Replacement parts take FOREVER to come to the dealer. - BEWARE!!.

• 

  Driving the 2000 Audi TT - 2000 Audi TT
  By Gary Stevens - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Really fun to drive. No mechanical problems. Excellent manouverability in traffic. People still remark about distinctive styling.

• 

  A4 at 1 year - problems - 2003 Audi A4
  By yoyo_1270 - October 12 - 10:00 am

  In this "maintenance-free" first year, my A4 had headlight problems, low oil problems (I dont drive hard either), vibrations and major engine problems. My engine problems consist of a number 1 & 5 error, which is one tiny step away from replacing the entire engine. It appears that only 4 of the 6 pistons are working.Lovely! I feel this car is one of the sleekest cars on the market and a killer performer. However, the reliability, fuel economy and price (mine=38000) are so bad I dont recommend this car to anyone. If you love AWD and Audi, go with the A6/A8. Audi doesn’t cut the same corners with the A6/A8 as with the A4. But you will pay the big bucks