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:

• 

  1st time Audi owner - 2001 Audi A6
  By ViensVT - November 23 - 12:16 pm

  Great power. You get all the comfort style and performance you would expect from an Audi. Just run good gas and oil through it and let the oil gauge hit 175 before bringing it over 3000 rpm. Great power. Little turbo lag. I love it.

• 

  Classy ride - 1999 Audi A6
  By New to Audi - November 16 - 3:22 pm

  I read other reviews and was wary of this model, but the test drive swayed me. This does not drive like a 3800 lb car. Coming from a BMW 525, I felt some difference, but not that much. Acceleration isnt blazing and gas mileage is disappointing, but the interior is top-notch. No mechanical problems yet after 6,000 miles. I am baffled how a windshield wiper fluid tank can spring a leak though. Not as easy to get to 100 mph as the bimmer.

• 

  Good car - 1998 Audi A4
  By DeezNets25 - November 16 - 3:21 pm

  Fun, quick, good handling, good on gas,and quiet comfortable ride.

• 

  An honest review on Audi A6 3.0 Quattro - 2003 Audi A6
  By David - November 13 - 6:27 pm

  I had this car for 6 months now. I bought it with 48 K miles now I have 60 K. I love the exterior of the car and the interior. After never having a car with AWD, I do not know how I lived without it. I was scared to buy this car first because of electrical problems but so far so good. No problems with the car so far (knock on wood). It feels solid and handles well. Some little things that bothered me are when the annoying sound and display of low wind washer fluid, its half of the screen, some paint in the interior of the car chips off, gas mileage isnt that great, doesnt hold value.

• 

  Love the Car - $$$ Maintenance Bill - 2002 Audi A6
  By Audi Fan - November 13 - 10:02 am

  I purchased this car after test driving many other European options - BMW, Saab, Volvo (my wife owns one and likes it), and one Japanese option - Maxima. Considering I have been a Honda, Nissan owner over the years, I was looking for something more exciting and I found it. My A6 has been wonderful fun to drive, nice to look at and a pleasure on road trips. The CVT technology took some getting used to, but now I truly enjoy it. Knowing the possible repair bills down the road, I purchased an extended warranty and it was not cheap. Of course certain things are not covered, like replacing an automatic window clip for $450. The 40K maintenance bill was $995 b/c of high precision eng/trans.

• 

  Great SUV - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Mert2B - November 9 - 8:10 am

  I got my Q7 3 weeks ago. I used to have BMW X5 and I just could not wait for the next generation due to time restrictions that I had. Q7 is much roomier than X5. Since I have all optional packages, I love to play around. It doesnt ride like SUV but It does not like X5 as well. I am not sure how it will be in snow conditions but I am expecting much better than X5 since Audi has 60/40 split where X5 was more 20/80 split on all wheel drive. So far everything is looking good.

• 

  06 A6 4.2 - 2006 Audi A6
  By computire - October 28 - 9:00 am

  The car is tight, responsive and handles well. However, the engine is a little loud. The drawback to this vehicle is the brakes which are much too touchy. Difficult to glide to a smooth stop. The controls (radio,t emp, phone, navigation) are very handy and easy to use.

• 

  Nice appearance, very poor reliability - 2003 Audi A4
  By mk4_turbo - October 27 - 10:00 am

  Not yet 10000 miles after 6 months, and already these things are broken: - 1 front speaker - Left electric seat - Right electric seat Also left front window makes a lot of noise when activated And a lot of noise inside; a lot of parts are loosened

• 

  Audi A6 - 2016 Audi A6
  By Pk - October 23 - 11:44 pm

  Nice car

• 

  Good car - When working properly. - 1999 Audi A4
  By Ty W. Thomas - October 21 - 3:53 pm

  Bought this car with 43,500 miles. So far in 3500 miles here is what has been done to the car: Coil Pack replaced-$451.00 Sunroof switch - $60.00 Gauge cluster went out - $561.00 Airbag light continues to come on - $150.00 (Dealership has not solved the problem yet-light just came on again!!) Now the water pump is making a bearing noise! Cost: $502.00. I am a VW/Audi enthusiast and am severely disappointed with this car. To think I sold a perfectly good 96 Passat TDI for this? The car did sit outside for a while before I purchased it-but still... Fuel mileage has been 21 city, 28 hwy. SO SO.