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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  Love my wagon - 2003 Audi A4
  By bananadan - December 9 - 2:00 am

  My BMW X5 had constant niggling breakdowns. The A4: otally reliable. Fantastic acceleration. The car will go as fast as you can stand to drive it, in any weather, although with a little less grace (but more traction) than my ex-328i BMW. Wonderful and highly adjustable seats. Not roomy in back, but great for post-kids. Very well built (no defects, and I havent seen my dealership since purchase!) Gas mileage, which was mediocre at first, has improved over 7K miles to what Audi says on sticker. Climate control needs to be futzed with to stay comfortable in changing outside conditions. Awesome brakes! Overall experience: fantastic with just very minor quibbles.

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  A5 Something to Look at - 2010 Audi A5
  By Nicholas H. - December 7 - 7:18 pm

  I have owned my A5 for approximately 1.5 months. By far, the best car I have ever owned. It seems like everyone has a BMW 3-series or Benz, but there simply are not that many A5s on the road which makes the purchase a little more meaningful. The car is very muscular looking and low to the ground. Even the view from the back is exciting. Cant wait to see how the Quattro handles the Ohio winters. The interior oozes class, get the wood inlays, if you can, as they are quite a sight to behold, much like the car as a whole.

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  Awesome Ride - 2005 Audi TT
  By reyacevedo_2 - December 7 - 12:11 am

  This car is the best of all cars that I have owned. Is really fun to drive also very powerful and I will not sell it, I will enjoy every bit of it because it worth it. It got a beautiful design but the only down side that I have experienced is that the seats cant be positioned the way you wanted to be comfortable while driving, but is not that bad is just not the best. I still going to say is the best car I have owned and I love it.

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  Awesome - 2010 Audi A5
  By cj - December 5 - 10:04 am

  I have only had this car 1 week. The looks, the compliments are too many to count. The ride is very comfortable. The B&O sound is incredible. The engine is very quite and this car does not perform like a 4 cylinder. There is more room inside than you can imagine. The seats are very comfortable. There is a lot of room in the trunk and the two back seats fold down. You can fold the top storage area up to allow more room. Enough room for two golf bags. There is a screen you can attach behind the seats when the top is down to prevent drag.

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  Fantastic Car! - 2009 Audi A4
  By SBC - December 4 - 8:46 am

  I have the Audi for six months now. I have grown to enjoy it more the longer Ive driven it. It is comfortable, zippy (especially in manual mode), quiet (even with the top down with the wind screen installed), and a blast to drive! This has become my favorite car Ive owned/leased, slightly nudging out the Honda S2000. The S2000 was much more fun to drive, but the added convenience of a full sized trunk, and back seat in the Audi, plus the fun to drive factor, have it beat. I recommend this vehicle (or its replacement the A5, which I cant wait to get!) without reservation. There are great deals on any A4s left in stock, since this is the last year. Go get one and start having fun!

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  I am sooo glad.... - 2010 Audi S4
  By DR - December 3 - 1:20 pm

  I am soooo glad I recalculated the price of the S4 Prem Plus vs. initially ordered Avant Prem Plus with Nav, B&O. The difference was minimal and the enjoyment is not easily describable. This car is simply amazing -- the engine, Handling, quietness when cruising, growl when step on it, Inside is nicely laid out, and beautifully appointed. The 6MT is super nice I am coming off the latest gen BMW 3-series (E90) and this 6MT is much better (smoother, as precise, shorter) than the BMWs. The S4 seats are much more supportive and comfortable than the 3er with the Sports Package.

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  Buy two -- now! - 2010 Audi A5
  By packrfan - December 2 - 11:19 am

  VERY pleased with my A5 Premium Plus! Upgraded nav is much improved - with it and 2.0T, it was easy decision to go with 2010. Easier still was A5 decision - best looking car on the road. Performance is plenty strong enough, turbo can take a little getting used to. Brakes good but grabby at slow speeds. Ergonomics & build quality are also top notch. Back seat access isnt great (not bad - its great for a coupe) but room when in is satisfactory. Mileage is adequate if gentle - its a function of fun: more fun, lower mileage. No question: best awd coupe for <$75k.

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  Just buy it - 2010 Audi A6
  By Tim - December 1 - 9:23 pm

  I looked at all the usual suspects but Audi delivers the best over all score in all areas for a luxury car. I think for the money its hard to compete with what you get in an Audi. It screams luxury and cool all in one breath. Its the reason anyone in the know right now is buying Audis over the other brands.

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  Pretty, but not worth it - 2003 Audi A4
  By audinomore - November 29 - 11:19 pm

  I bought this car used with 50,000 miles. I loved it for the first couple of months, until things started going wrong. I had to replace all the ignition coils, fuel pump, check valves, broken moonroof, broken window regulator, broken cupholder. Oh yea, and just a few months ago there was a fire, cost over $5000 worth of damage under the hood, thank goodness insurance covered it. They said either an ignition coil or the wiring harness had a malfunction. When my coolant tank cracked and wouldnt hold coolant, I decided it was time to trade it in. I loved the car, but I cant afford to keep fixing it and I dont want to be worried all the time about something breaking or catching on fire.

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  allroad -- segment busting since 2001 - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By TingandCSR - November 28 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle does so many things much better than adequately: blasting down the freeway on the lowest suspension setting, sliding around backwoods Adirondack dirt roads, plowing through snowbanks up on the highest setting, packed full of (heavy) band equipment without noticable wheezing or whining, and then cleaning up very nicely when called upon to do personal limousine duty. The only serious con continues to be the (perhaps) intentionally engineered- in transmission lag ... but allroad drivers learn to use sport or tip mode to lessen its effects.