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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  Good ... not great. - 2005 Audi TT
  By PR Guy - February 27 - 3:47 pm

  This is my second TT. The first was a dream, the second has been a bit disappointing, with minor problems requiring service. Overall handling has improved, but Ive driven other sports cars with better handling. Excellent braking, even in the rain. First gear is a bit sluggish, but you can really kick it in other gears. Interior comfort is excellent for a two-seater and the well-designed top keeps exterior noise to a minimum. Wind levels with the top down are poor at highway speeds, but thats the price you pay for a ragtop. Audi continues to struggle with exterior finish quality. The finish is uneven and scratches and chips easily. Overall, it is a fun drive and a real attention getter.

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  A6 4.2-Pretty Good - 2001 Audi A6
  By A6 LTB - February 25 - 2:18 pm

  I last owned an A4 2.8q that was leased. I decided that I did not want to be restricted by mileage overages so we bought a CPO 2001 Audi A6 4.2. I think it is probably one of the best looking cars made and definetly the best looking Audi except for the RS6. It has a very aggressive look to it. It had the Sport package so the ride is firm but I like feeling connected to the road. It came with some pretty aggressive Yokohama 255/40/17s that are great in the dry roads but truly stink in the snow. The car could not get up a hill in our local area, so I had to back down the hill and start over. I guess the Quatro system is only as good as the tires. But for pete sake,these cost $200 a piece

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  Excellent Bahnstormer, Minor Flaws - 2005 Audi S4
  By Steve - February 16 - 4:13 pm

  A unique car, if you focus more on content than styling. While the car is plenty handsome, it looks much like the lesser A4 - a car that is some $15k cheaper. The rims, spoiler and aluminum mirror housings help differentiate it somewhat. Looking at and touching the leather, wood and excellent plastics is a pleasure. All controls are precise, well-placed and expensive feeling. I chose this car for its more sporting nature than the A6, the more youthful attitude than the Cadillac CTS, and the extra doors relative to the M3. To my eye, it is better looking and sportier than the choices from Japan and the US. Finally, at $52K, it is significantly less expensive than V8s from MB or BMW.

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  Fun & Style - 1996 Audi A4
  By Ryan - February 14 - 12:21 am

  Lead: Never Follow. Thats truly what Audi is all about. My lil yellow rocket has so much in such a compact car. The 172HP V6 has plenty of get-up and go and has excellent handling and still a very smooth ride. Of course there is the fear of german cars, but I myself have not had many problems with mine. Other than basic maintenance, Ive never had a problem. With 124,000 miles, this engine has plenty left too. And with the 1996 worth a measly $5-$6k, you can get style, comfort, and performance at a great price. And with Quattro, you cant co wrong. It adds versatility to the list as well. Overall, I would highly recommend this car to anyone, young or old.

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  My Audi - 2004 Audi A4
  By Bails - February 12 - 2:00 am

  So far the car is great. The turbo does have some flaws, such as the gas mileage isnt that great when you really drive the car hard. The performance that the turbo provides is relatively powerful. It has a lot of good safety features. Would be a good buy for a family.

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  Buyer beware - 1998 Audi A4
  By Grover - February 11 - 7:20 pm

  Terrific car for foul weather, when its not in the shop. Fun to drive, if you can afford premium fuel and poor mileage (19 mpg average). Beautiful car, however, it will break the bank when it breaks down!

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  Best interior in its class - 2017 Audi A3
  By Charles Sacks - February 10 - 11:25 am

  I own this car less than a month so ratings for some items are N/A. No memory seats combined with smaller door openings make getting in and setting up a little inconvenient. The AWD eats up 2-3 CF of trunk space. Car is very well made. Layout of controls is very logical - European logical, and that is a good thing. Best feature - Virtual cockpit. All my nav, media, and car info can also be displayed and controlled independently in front of me in addition to the Nav screen in the center. The center Nav screen retracts into the dash which is better than the more expensive BMW, and Mercedes which have an afterthought I-Pad glued onto the dash. I recommend this car

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  It has a Mind of its Own - 2004 Audi A8
  By Rich - February 8 - 5:32 pm

  My 2004 Audi A8 is equipped with all the electronics, short of making you coffee in the morning. The only problem seems to be that it will work when it feels like it. I have had the vehicle back for the upgrading of the navigation system. The following are a short list of poroblems that I have experienced with this car: the auto trunk open/close is not working the car will lock itself the seats do not adjust to the entry key being used the interior lights will not work in the auto position (they just stay on) the doors will not open with the remote key all the time the seats seem to adjust by themselves.

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  Audi A6 - 1999 Audi A6
  By jim - February 7 - 8:22 pm

  My 1999 Audi A6 is a pleasure. It is smooth, quiet, and handles well on winding roads. It is a bit sluggish from stops though. It has comfortable seating in the front and rear. Its fun to drive in the snow. What a great looking car.

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  2001 Audi A4 1.8t quattro - 2001 Audi A4
  By chris thames - January 26 - 12:39 am

  My 2001 Audi A4 is great. Ive only had it for six months but its performance is out standing, a little on the slow side but very fun to drive. Ive driven a lot of cars in my lifetime and this one just does it for me. The performance upgrades are endless.