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:

• 

  Awesome Audi - 2016 Audi Q5
  By Debbie K - February 15 - 12:09 pm

  The navigation system is not user friendly

• 

  Learn about it - 2004 Audi A4
  By djh_indy - February 11 - 10:00 am

  Got my red hottie on a sweet lease. The 1.8 is better on gas and fast enough for me. Dont know why you need more, the low end torque is nice and the turbo is not that bad. I really thought about the S4, but really...do who needs to go that fast with a $50K car. Mine gets the looks and is great. Was looking at Acura, MB, BMW, MINI, Infiniti, Lexus, but theres something about the security of the quattro taking a highway curve at 80mph and feeling like you are on rails even in the rain. Oh yeah for jess saland down there, my gas door locks when the doors lock, you might check that.

• 

  Reliability Issues at 4,000K - 2006 Audi A3
  By coolvw - February 8 - 11:00 pm

  Rear passenger door lock burnt out at 4,000km. Door wont lock and alarm keeps going off - Audi did not have the part in stock for 4 days. They suggested I leave it in my garage because I couldnt lock the car! Not off to a good start. I loved the car and, despite previous bad experiences with VW, bought one anyway...Im thinking Ive made a mistake and should have stuck with Acura / Lexus. Other quibbles - Im 6ft tall and cannot find a comfortable driving position (center console too wide). Lack of memory on power seats makes it very difficult to share this vehicle with my wife. Did I mention I should have stuck with Acura?

• 

  Quiet Child - 2002 Audi A4
  By mdpat - February 3 - 2:00 am

  The A4 is the most underrated sport sedan out there. Its too introverted for its own good. After 10 months of ownership my fondness for the A4 continues to grow. Like the quiet child in the corner, only time and effort brings out the personality within. The A4 is loaded with solid engineering, rides like a vault on four wheels, and tackles twisty roads with amazing alacrity. If you think a certain motor works in Bavaria is the only place that knows sport sedans, do yourself a favor and give an A4 a test. Sometimes the quiet kid is the most interesting.

• 

  AUDI A4 - 2003 Audi A4
  By pryamleonce - January 29 - 10:00 am

  Just got my Audi a4 two days ago. So far at is has been an enjoyment to drive. We traded in a Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer so we still have to get use to the smaller space. We were also considering the Acura 3.2 TL, BMW 325 I, and the Infiniti G35. The Acura was probably the best value, but I saw pictures of the new model coming out in Fall and felt that this new model will look outdated shortly. The Infiniti G35 was a great car but it lacked the level of interior refinement we were looking for. The BMW was just not a good value.

• 

  Totally Awesome! - 2003 Audi A4
  By glga4qtro - January 29 - 10:00 am

  Im in the military stationed in Belgium, and travel to Germany and other countries frequently. Therefore, I have the opportunity to drive the car the way some in the US wont. The handling near top speed is outstanding and the car will cruise at 120-130 all day long!! I dont miss the BMW I sold to get this car!! I know I will have issues when I return to the US with this car!

• 

  Great car and right price - 2007 Audi A4
  By john - January 24 - 5:43 pm

  I have had my A4 for a month and it handles any curve in any condition. The all-wheel drive is great. I upgraded to the sport suspension and it really makes the ride more firm so make sure that you really want that as the regular suspension is already pretty good and sometimes I think I would not mind a little softer ride although it does allow you to take a corner at 75 and makes it feel like 25. The inside is way better then the BMW or Acura. Great car overall with a great style all its own. If you go to the snow this car is great, I have already taken it to tahoe and while others were putting on chains I just kept on driving.

• 

  Moved up to an Allroad - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By PDXJG - January 24 - 10:00 am

  We have put almost 7k miles on this car since we purchased it it the end of Jan. 03. I was originally going to replace my A4 with an A4 Avant, but travel / space requirements moved me up to the Allroad. This vehicles took some time to get used to after my 1.8T. But, driving to Central Oregon through rain, snow, etc. has been a joy. The acceleration through the mountains is fanastic. I was able to pass at times where the A4 required major advanced planning. The family/ friends also appreicate the extra room in the back seat. I have been averaging 20.2 mpg. For the weight of this vehicle, this is not too bad.

• 

  S3NSATIONAL! - 2017 Audi S3
  By Quattro Driver - January 23 - 5:48 am

  Previously had the 2015 Audi A3. This car is in another league, it’s a supercar in a sedan. The performance is powerful, tech package is very well done and interior is best in class. Car can be wide open without compromising comfort. All wheel fun allows year round excitement with 5 Star safety.

• 

  Fantastic Upgrade from 2015 S5. - 2018 Audi S5
  By Mythos - January 22 - 7:51 pm

  The overall feel to me is a higher level of sophistication than previous generation. Audi has made a step up in overall quality of interior design, materials and switch gear. Suspension changes are quite noticeable which provides a more sure footed feel. Gone is the under steer tendency when pushed into corners. It feels much quicker with surges of power more instantaneous across the RPM band than the previous generation due to the Turbo providing low end torque where the 2015 Supercharged engine only produced that kind of torque over 3k RPM. Didnt think Audi could improve the interior but they did. Seats are more supportive and yet more comfortable, The changes to the MMI took a little getting use to but now after a month of use accessing information is faster with the new button layout Input of information is easier too especially with the touch handwriting recognition. MMI\Navi computer is much faster. No lag time between screens and the navigation display is amazingly sharp and directions are accurate. The visual cockpit is a joy to use. Information right in front of you where it should be. Love the multi gauge setups. Even the B&O stereo system is a step up in sound quality. So far very glad I upgraded to the 2018.