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:

• 

  Audi A4 1.8T - 2006 Audi A4
  By cat001 - July 11 - 7:03 am

  Compared the BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Toyota for value. The Audi offers the greatest bang for our buck. With the top up you would not even know that you are in a convertible. Very quiet on the highway. Excellent backseat for our 5 and 6 year old. Other than turbo lag at the bottom end, she is an excellent performer.

• 

  Very First Audi - 2006 Audi A4
  By egrrl - July 8 - 11:53 am

  My last car was a 318ti BMW, which was so much fun to drive, that I thought for sure I would buy another BMW. The RWD BMW was nearly impossible, though, in our Wisconsin winters, so I went in search of a performance car that could also handle snow and ice. Also, I was making the move from manual to automatic, reluctantly, worried I would lose out on performance. The Audi A4 Quattro was the perfect choice. The Tiptronic is the automatic option for those whod rather drive a stick. AWD bites onto the road, even in slippery conditions. (Ill let you know when the snow hits.) Interior is beautiful: tan leather w/birch wood trim... I cant wait to drive to work everyday! Love this car!

• 

  Great Car. - 2003 Audi A4
  By bbort - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Had the car for about 6 mos. now and have no real complaints. Just about everything is perfectly engineered in this car.

• 

  Couldnt ask for more - 2003 Audi A4
  By nealmay - July 5 - 10:00 am

  I couldnt be happier with my A4. The design and features this car has is amazing. There are so many cool features I learn about all the time. At this point in time I cant imagine another car I would want over this one. This car is built so much better than most others of the road and the engineering is amazing. Most car makers have a long way to go to be on par with Audi. I personally feel that the car has plenty of power. I never seem to be needing any more than I have at hand. Highly Recommended.

• 

  Bahn burner - 2004 Audi S4
  By JLEC - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Waited three months, and it was worth it. The build quality on this car is amazing. Everything is clean, tight, and in the right place. The car has a great rumble and is always ready to "launch" - not to mention the brakes are incredible. I looked at the C32 (need 4 doors), and no comparison to quality. The seats are the best I have ever felt in a car. Best four door under $70,000 (AMG E55).

• 

  Love my car - 2017 Audi A4
  By JD - June 19 - 3:41 am

  This is my first Audi. Before buying I drove a BMW 328i xdrive and a Mercedes c class. They were all very nice cars but I fell for the Audi and love it. Most of the complaints that I read are about the shifter and the way you have to put it in Park, but I think that Audi got that right. It is easy and intuitive. I dont understand the people that complain about it. It works so much better than the conventional system. It is so quiet inside. The ride is fantastic. Handles great. My son borrowed it for a couple days. He told me that on his way home from work he found himself taking the longest route available so he could just drive it longer. Its the first car Ive had that when I have nothing to do, I just take it and go for a drive.

• 

  Great car! - 2005 Audi A6
  By Ian Robinson - June 18 - 9:46 am

  This is once nice automobile. I came from an A4 Avant - and a big difference it is. The sport seats are great as is the sound of the V8. The solar roof is also a great feature to have in the warmer climates. No problems so far and the MMI is pretty easy to master. A much better looking vehicle both inside and out than a BMW 5-series, not to mention a better value for the money.

• 

  The A4 is a Beautiful Car - 2002 Audi A4
  By Guybo - June 16 - 10:00 am

  The A4 Sport Package - Dolphin Gray color is a awesome looking car - the best looking on the road. The turbo gives it the extra kick when you need it. My friends think it looks great, my wife almost divorced me because of the car payments and I think it is because it shows up her car of the year 300M Chrslyer. The A4 handles better and is more sportier and is a better bulit car.

• 

  my first Audi - 2002 Audi A4
  By guy2 - June 16 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Audi. I really wanted the 3.0, but couldnt find the one w/ the options/color I wanted (Bose, 6sp and something other than white or black). And since I had the "new car bug", I decided to get the amulet red 1.8T. No regrets though I was coming from a VW Passat V6 - the 1.8T on the A4 has enough pick up as far as I am concerned. Only 600 miles so far, but no problems at all (knock on wood).

• 

  7 months and 20K miles, I love this car! - 2002 Audi A4
  By Penz - June 9 - 2:00 am

  In March of 02 I traded in my 99 Civic SI for a 02 Audi A4 Quattro, Dolphin Grey, sports package. My oh my, Ill never go back to the more economical Hondas (though they were great!). This car is fun to drive, and get lots of compliments. Ive put it through some rigerous driving tests (my my nature, Im a tough but good driver) and this car has performed very very well. The seats are very comfy and after a 5 hour drive, my back felt great! The AWD and ESP work well together in rain and sandy roads. The interior and exterior are both very stylish and well designed.