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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  Style, Quality, and Fun! - 2004 Audi A4
  By mamanila - January 11 - 2:00 am

  This turned our to be a dream car. So comfortable, so smooth plus great gas mileage and a one touch to open the top. Mine is a classic black with beige interior and top-- such a headturner on the road. Only took me one drive to figure out how everything works.A breeze to drive and a blast!!

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  Quattro is good - 2003 Audi A4
  By MyfirstAudi - January 5 - 2:00 am

  Audi Quattro provides excellent traction on wet and snow covered roads. Beautiful interior with high quality materials. Car has been back to dealer four times for a rattle in the exhust, only appears on cold days. Also car has developed a problem in the ignition, warning alarm will not shut off when car is turned off and then car wont lock.

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  The best in fun per dollar - 2012 Audi TT
  By Tony Wheeler - January 4 - 8:13 am

  Update 4SEP17: Car is still fun to drive. It has been trouble free for the past 1.5 years and I have added 10k miles to the odometer. I got a stage 1 tune which is a mild upgrade in power and makes the car go fast. I spotted this car online and drove almost 3 hours in heavy traffic to finally locate this car. I was not in a good mood by the time I got to the dealership. When they told me the car was on their auxiliary lot one mile away I almost got back in my car to leave. The dealer grabbed a car and talked me into riding with him over to this other lot. The moment I sat in this Audi TT and started the engine I was grinning ear to ear. This 2012 Audi TT is new to me for one month now. I love driving it. My wife loves driving it and riding in it. That is a first and quite remarkable since I have previously owned two other roadsters which she did not care to ride in or even drive. I have had a Miata and Z4. Both are great for driving in the mountains. I liked the Miata for its quick nimble handling (after some suspension mods and addition of a roll bar) but it was a bit cramped and underpowered for my tastes. The Z4 didnt lack power and had good interior room but lacked that nimble feel. Trammeling was a bit annoying as well. This TT is the best of both and then some. It has the nimble handling and feel way beyond the Miata and is even a bit faster than the Z4. It also has the interior room I want. The sound of the engine and the fast, crisp shifts of this transmission are the best ever to me. The Audi interior is pleasing to the eye and probably the nicest interior of any car in this class. My only gripe so far is the Navigation/Entertainment system. Entering an address or phone number into this radio has gotta be the most painful and cumbersome system I have ever encountered. It works fine but plan some prep time before a trip to set up a route. One good feature about this radio however is the screen. It is bright and clear even in direct sunlight with the top down. I havent gotten to do a lot of playing yet but so far, finding some curvy roads and engaging the paddle shifters is a blast. This car is a stress reliever from the moment I turn the key.

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  German engineering at its best - 2016 Audi A5
  By Neil Bucklew - December 29 - 2:49 am

  German engineering at its best. The Audi is a smooth handling car with great looks. The technology is first class and intuitive. It does take a little time to gain mastery. It was a good bargain as well. I recommend it highly.

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  turn the esp off ! - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By joetii - December 23 - 2:00 am

  Best car I ever owned , and I got 14000 on it! HOWEVER , I live in upstate NY and as soon as the roads get slick , shut OFF the esp . It drives so much better that I wonder why its included.When its on in slick conditons the car is way worse than my a4 quattro that did not have it. Very fast , why chip it ? Very comfortable. I do use the adjustable suspension with work , driving on farms on dirt roads, its great !

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  awesome - 2001 Audi A6
  By Bob g - December 23 - 2:00 am

  This car is the first car that I still am excited about after having for years. Its fun has plenty of power and beautiful

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  Love, Love this car - 2003 Audi A4
  By laralynn - December 17 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love this car. Relative to other vehicles in its class (I test drove the Acura TL, BMW 3 series, Infiniti) it is the best hands down. It comes with free service for the 1st 40,000 miles --- that is awesome! The interior and exterior styling is timeless---very classy. All my friends love my car. Also the A4 comes with a load of safety features--and as an engineer, I certainly do appreciate that, and this was one of major selling points of this vehicle. Right now I have about 11,000 miles (in 4 months!) on it and it rides just like the first day I had it. I would certainly recommend this vehicle to anyone willing to spend in the $30-35k range.

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  German Engineering - 2003 Audi A4
  By M3ngnyaingnyaing - December 6 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive and handles well. The car does lack power, but is not that bad when you use the sport mode though. The interior is solid, very comfortable seats except for the 5th person who has to sit in the middle.

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  Fun, but can improve - 2003 Audi A4
  By alis - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Beautiful shape and ideas. Also, beautiful build quality. Engine is very responsive, steering very accurate and great brakes. Seats very supportive and multitude adjustments make for comfortable driving position.Handling, with regular suspension a little too bouncy.

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  Accessibility isnt easy - 2016 Audi A4
  By Henry - November 29 - 6:10 pm

  Not one of the easiest cars to get in and out from both sides of the car. Consistently hit my head or the door post. Once in the car it was great. Im average height. Someone taller or bigger would struggle> Its the main reason I did not get this car