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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  A Great Machine - 2000 Audi A6
  By mjmccaff - May 30 - 2:00 am

  First Audi I have owned. Excellent performing vehicle. Very comfortable to drive with plenty under the hood when needed - or just wanted. Lots of trunk room for the golf clubs, skis, and whatever else. No reliability difficulty at all 2 years into owning it.

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  Imagine a roadster... with four doors - 2017 Audi S3
  By Geoff Arnold - May 27 - 2:40 pm

  I moved from California, and didnt want to try driving my two seater RWD sports car in New Jersey winters. Test drove pretty much every AWD car between $30K and $60K. (Fewer than youd think.) The S3 is simply an insane amount of fun. Handles better than a Miata, . Virtual cockpit is awesome. I really only have one complaint: the engine auto-stop/auto-start is a big hesitant, and although its trivial to disable it, you cant change the default setting. Otherwise its pretty much perfect. Ive done several long runs on rough/choppy pavement, and it handles it well. One of the proximity sensors needed resetting after driving through torrential (post-hurricane) rain; no big deal.

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  Volkswagen on Steroids - 2000 Audi TT
  By Kaefer - May 26 - 2:00 am

  This car is for everyone who put a 356 Porsche engine into a VW Beetle to see how fast it would go and how many heads you could turn at a stop light. A very easy car to drive at high spped on the highway.

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  Ultimate Family Car - 2002 Audi S6
  By ThadCo - May 23 - 2:00 am

  I traded a 2000 S4 sedan which I loved in order to gain more room for kids. It was a tough choice, but worked out well. I love having a torquey V8 again (fond memories of youth) and it handles surprisingly well for big wagon. I can haul the family around and blow the doors almost all traffic while doing it. Sticks like glue rain, snow, or shine and feels safe. In some ways it is better balanced than the S4 sedan. Very good brakes (though not as good as S4). The interior is outstanding and my kids love the third row seat. The styling is still a work of art and looks great from any angle. One of the best compromise vehicles ever made.

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  A great ride and a great deal - 2002 Audi S4
  By jivancovich - May 23 - 2:00 am

  Ive returned to German cars after a brief stint with American. The S4 is just a great ride tight, fast, and secure. It holds the road in all weather even with its standard performance tires. I looked at 3 series BMWs and C series Mercedes before buying the S4. I had a BMW before but found both them and the Mercedes to be overpriced for what you got. The S4 is a great balance of performance and value.

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  Unreliable - 2000 Audi A6
  By Frustrated Catherine - May 23 - 2:00 am

  We have gone through 3 sets of brakes in under 38,000 miles. Also, we have had the front tie rods replaced, the temp. gauge needed repair, the check engine light goes on and off at least 3 times between services and the car is burning a lot of oil - once the low pressure light came on. The garage doesnt seem to think any of this is a problem. Im frustrated.

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  It just keeps going - 1995 Audi S6
  By Dave ONeil - May 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is incredible. 161000 and runs like new!

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  The SUV killer: the A6 Quattro Wagon - 1998 Audi A6
  By sd92104 - May 21 - 2:00 am

  Bought my A6 quattro wagon new in RI. Used if for commuting and carpooling and it it also got complements for its looks and ride. Never had a problem in bad weather with the car. Moved to SanDeigo and I put 18" performance tires on the car and handles like a 5 series. Plan on lowering it an inch as well. Best purchase I could have made I have the versitility of an SUV but the comfort of a luxury sedan and the sportness of a sport sedan. Cant wait to purchase my next audi quattro wagon.

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  A4 Avant - 2005 Audi A4
  By Steve Mac - May 20 - 10:26 pm

  Bought to replace 1998 A4 1.8TQMS. New car has premium, sport, cold, Bose pkgs. New avant is slightly quicker, has better highway mileage, but the same city mileage as my previous car. It is very comfortable on long drives. The XM radio is fabulous! It feels somewhat larger than the old car and as a result it doesnt handle quite as well. That may be due to the all season tires rather than a proper summer sport tire. The ride is firm without being harsh. Its throttle action is slightly jerky when released suddenly under hard acceleration. There is no real turbo lag, but the turbo builds power early and holds it through the rev range. There is more leg room in the back seat than my previous car had, but it still has less than my wifes Passat.

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  Tried German Once - Once - 1997 Audi A4
  By Audibust - May 20 - 2:00 am

  Puchased a Certified Used Audi A4 - 1.8 turbo to experience some German Engineering. Unfortunately, Engineering was the problem, as the vehicle lost both a timing belt prematurely causing $4K in damage, and then the transmission gave out as well for another $5K. The car had less than 80K miles at the time of both, and the car was well maintained with one owner. After contacting Audi, none of the items were covered under the warranty, because they were considered "wear items", so the charges were all out of pocket expenses. Never again.