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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  one gorgeous "steel midget" - 2002 Audi TT
  By satrianegara - May 1 - 2:00 am

  Got stuck on the "FORM", but missed out the whole "performance" on this car. :( It took me a whole year til finally could live with the turbolag issue. But its legendary quattro system sure is undeniably awesome, and I just fall head over heels with the handling of this "lil David" ("in the Goliaths world", of course !).

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  A4 3.0 Quattro - 2003 Audi A4
  By lcardozo - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive. Responsive controls. Quiet on the road. Terrific brakes. A car meant to be driven.

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  No... its not a Glorified Jetta!!! - 2003 Audi A4
  By Allizard - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I was comparing with IS300, Mazda6 and Jetta GLI and even the Passat GLX before making the final decision. Im glad they added the power seat feature on the premium package. How funny for a 30k car doesnt have a power seat before 03. I love the look inside and out. At first 1.8T seems a bit weak at start up but runs much better once on the open freeway. Nothing cant fix with a new chip.

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  First "luxury" car - 2003 Audi A4
  By FoxHoundLover - April 30 - 2:00 am

  This is my first "luxury" sedan, at least in this price range. I had a 1989 Maxima that I loved, and this car is similar in "fun to drive" ways, only much better. It handles very smoothly and straightens curves like no car Ive ever driven. The quattro makes it very sure-footed even in heavy rain. 75 mph seems like you are going nowhere at all. Tried the BMW 330xi and Mercedes C320. The Mercedes was mushier, the 330xi stiffer, but also nice. Went for the Audi because overall I think it is a smoother riding/performing car, and the quattro is the best 4-wheel drive made.

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  full of tech - 2017 Audi Q7
  By spud - April 29 - 10:48 pm

  a very nice car, perhaps a little overwhelming in the technology it offers. Drives well, smooth low speed manners, very nice handling (within the limits of a short test drive). Feels like a hell of a lot of vehicle, though I would be somewhat concerned about maintenance costs when out of warranty - theres a hell of a lot of mechanical and electrical equipment in the car.

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  Just in time for summer!! - 2002 Audi TT
  By TopDownBaby - April 29 - 2:00 am

  This car is perfect. Looks like no other car on the road. Driving it is pure fun. I look forward to long trips. Handles great, and feels solid on turns and at high speeds. Even the gas mileage is great for a sports car (25 mpg!). The interior is a perfect balance of sportiness and comfort. Ive leased this car, but Im probably going to buy it at lease end.

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  80K mile car!? Youre crazy..... - 1997 Audi A4
  By Luiz Salles - April 28 - 2:00 am

  .....you need to take better care of your car. I bought my 1.8T with 70K miles almost 2 years ago, it now has 101K miles. I am happy to say that I have not had a single problem with it. Ive changed the battery and done the 100K tune up. Thats it. My next car will be an Audi. A new one.

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  Still the one - 2000 Audi TT
  By starange - April 28 - 2:00 am

  I have been driving my TT ( at every opportunity ) since May 99. I purchased it off of the floor at an auto show. I figuered as good as it looked, if it didnt drive well I would use it as a sculpture. As it turned out, nothing to worry about about, the ride is great, the music sounds great and the inside is as nice to look at as the exterior. If it is reliable over time, it will be a long while before I look for another car.

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  Can be improved... but still great overall - 2017 Audi Q7
  By JL - April 26 - 4:29 am

  Recently made a switch from 13 BMW X5 50i to a 17 Q7 Prem Plus. Great car with lots of updates in tech and safety. Comfortable and quiet. While the engine has the punch in dynamic mode, it lacks in auto mode due to the tranny not shifting when needed. Going up a hill or trying to pass a vehicle requires a brick foot. Granted, I came from a turbo-charged V8 but expected more from the tranny which probably would make up the difference. The auto-start/stop isnt great when stopping - as if I am slamming on the brake b/c the engine shuts off before the car comes to a complete stop. The middle-rear seat cushion does not appear to be fixed in place as it shifts slightly - probably bringing it in to have it checked out. The tire jack tools have no where to be stored and sits in the trunk. One would think a small storage compartment can be built in somewhere for it. As some others have mentioned, when the phone is plugged in to USB for Carplay, you can no longer use the blue tooth function and have to go through the Carplay menu to make calls. I have not been able to hit the manufacturers gas mileage of 19 city/25 highway/21 combined. So far locally I am getting 15 mpg or less and 20 mpg on highways. This is less than my V8 X5 which was consistent 17/21 mpg. For the pros, lighting for the vehicle is great inside and out. Drive is very smooth and quiet; curious to see if that changes when the run-flats are worn in. It would seem Ive been more critical than happy so far... I am just starting to get comfortable with the changes and hopefully it will get better over time. Overall, I am happy with the vehicle. Lets hope it is reliable and will last and retain good re-sale value.

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  Honest review - 1995 Audi 90
  By Civil Engineer - April 25 - 2:00 am

  Nice solid ride, good power, excellent cornering, pearl color paint is classic, interior has held up well, fun to drive. Very stable at highway speeds Holds road well. Some nuisance problems with electrical, like elec window switches and other minor items,