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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  It Beats All of Them - 2016 Audi A8
  By Noel Christensen - May 19 - 4:47 pm

  If you want a 4-door sedan that drives, handles and accelerates fantastically you need to buy an Audi A8L. I have had numerous Mercedes, BMW and Porsche vehicles and this car tops them all. It is a stealth vehicle that doesnt stand out with chrome, radical styling, look at me, Im expensive statements. It just quietly goes about its job of getting you where you want to go in comfort with all the power you can handle at your right foot. I have had it only 1000 miles that did include a 500 mile trip. Great seat comfort, quiet interior, all you could want for a long drive in heavy Southern California traffic. I am totally satisfied!

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  UPDATED 2017 Q7 Leaks Water Front Passenger Side - 2017 Audi Q7
  By Ken E. - May 18 - 2:21 am

  12/11/16: My car was returned from service for this issue after 14 days in the shop. The mechanics comments on my receipt follow: "Took vehicle thru car wash with A/C on. Found water coming from the bottom of the dash. Removed wiper cowl cover and air intake ducting. No damage to seals or evidence of leaking. Ran vehicle thru car wash again using borascope to watch inside housing intake. Found when foam from car wash hits it is sucked into the vent box. Removed housing from another vehicle and found it did the same thing. Contacted product support. Was advised this condition is "normal" and vehicle needs to be in recirculation mode or A/C OFF while going through a car wash!" So according to Audi those of us living in the south should turn off our A/C or put it in recirculation mode to go through a car wash? This is my 20th new automobile. I have never had to do any such thing with any other brand. Ill be trading back to Lincoln next year. I miss my MKT. This is my first Audi. I have always purchased Lincolns, but they discontinued the MKT. I traded my 2011 MKT on a new 2017 Audi Q7 equipped nicely with $66,000 worth of bells and whistles. I should have kept the MKT! I first noticed the car leaking when my wife and I drove it through a car wash and water dripped onto her feet. We returned to the dealer in Jacksonville. After many hours they reported they could not "replicate" the problem. They said they blew out all the drains, etc. and hopefully our problem was solved. 10 days go by and I visit the car wash again. Drip, drip, drip into the passenger cabin with about a cup of water during a 2 minute trip through the automated car wash! I filed a written complaint with the dealer and management. The service writer called me (not a peep from anyone in management). He had the car picked up at my home (117 miles from the dealership). It has been there 7 days now and the last report I received on Thursday (today is Sunday) is that they were going to drive it through a car wash! No kidding? It has not rained since I purchased the car. We are about to take it on a 1500 mile trip to see the grandkids. I am extremely worried the car will flood if we run into rain! This is supposed to be a LUXURY automobile! The electronics are flaky for the radio, and the navigation system is a throw back to the system I had in my Lincoln in 2006! No touch screen! A stupid knob to turn to enter data one character at a time! The MMI system works sometimes, other times it doesnt seem to connect unless I turn off the car, and restart it. The entertainment system has crashed and rebooted several times without explanation. As I stated earlier, this is my first Audi. It will also be my last. Poor dealer service and response, a leaky brand new luxury automobile, and no response whatsoever from management. Do yourself a favor and find another vehicle.

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  Audi S4 2000 - 2000 Audi S4
  By pepe313 - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Superb! If you like performance, this car is spectacular - especially for the money.

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  Understatement but not underpowered - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Ross1113 - May 17 - 10:00 am

  An evolutionary creature of my 99 A6 Avant - only improved in every noticable area. A delight to drive locally and long distances. Just wish for more color choices inside and out.

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  So far so good - 2000 Audi S4
  By Sam Dushkin - May 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought my S4 in July of 2000. After the break in period I started to really let it out, and boy what a blast! The car handles beautifully! The S4 desperately wants to cruise at 80mph all day, and you have to practice serious restraint to maintain responsible driving practice. Since 2000 I have only had a problem 2 minor problems: 1)The horn, which after a good prolonged blast (think: NYC traffic)looses "pressure" and is rendered inoperative - Ive "fixed" it twice so far. 2)The low profile Bridgestone Potenza tires that came with the 2000 model are not suitable for winter driving. Even with Quattro!

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  it looks awseome - 2002 Audi TT
  By supreme nachos - May 17 - 2:00 am

  all that matters is it is the hottest car on the road nothing compares it drives great too..

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  Love this car - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By murphwon - May 14 - 10:00 am

  I got the 6 speed O4 version of this car and I love it. Fuel economy is not great, although this bothers me more because of more frequent pit stops than because of the economy aspect. The car has had some growing pains with a noticable vibration in the steering wheel @ 60 mph and a slight clunk on severe left hand turns. But every day I look forward to getting into this car more and more.

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  2004 A4 Avant 1.8t 6spd - 2004 Audi A4
  By F1isbest - May 14 - 10:00 am

  An excellent car for a great price. Handles well, with many comforts inside.

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  A wolf in sheep’s clothing - 2000 Audi S4
  By tonyatcovista - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I have owned a lot of cars through my years and this is the only car that makes me feel like the day one feels the first day they pick up a new car. The S4 is not a (deep) snow car nor is an off road car but a car that can rocket you out of a turn like no other turbo I have ever owned or driven. This car is an absolute must. Get one now

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  Love our new Audi Q5 - 2014 Audi Q5
  By Todd Whitmer - May 8 - 8:01 am

  I did a lot of shopping around for about three months. Found this immaculate Audi Q4 at our Lancaster Mercedes dealership. It was a leased car trade in - super shape and the dealership could not be more inspiring, helpful and great to work with. After 3 months I found the car for us.