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:

• 

  First Audi - 2010 Audi A4
  By Waits211 - May 17 - 10:50 am

  I thought I was going to get the new maxima but on a whim I stopped by audi. Also looked at the 328xi, TL, G37x and TSX. The BMW was great but over 100/month more. Loved the old TL but the new one felt way too large. Drove the TSX with the 4 cylinder too slow. Like the 6 but it was a $5k option, nearly 40k in total. As soon as I drove the A4 quatro I was hooked. The interior is so far superior to the other vehicles. The new maxima moves but it still feels really cheap. I liked th G but it was over $75/month more. The 6 speed manual is fantastic. Easy to use, short throws. Cant wait to try the quattro in winter.

• 

  Fantastic Car - 2010 Audi A5
  By Sae - May 17 - 12:23 am

  The car is amazing. Ample power, smooth, and incredibly sexy. The hottest looking coupe. The admiration from others keep coming. Love the technology in the car, MMI is great. 2010 Audi A5 2.0T 6AT | Brilliant Black/Black w Dark Walnut Trim | Premium Plus | Nav Plus

• 

  A3 Is my bad boyfriend - 2008 Audi A3
  By samascl - May 15 - 9:04 pm

  This car is all I ever wanted, fast, fun, charming, you dont see as many of this on the streets so it is even more unique. I call it my bad "boyfriend", I am so in love with it, I cant move forward to another car and I know the car is a lot of trouble. In a year in half that I have owned it, it had 2 problems, one with gas sensor and seal and today I am having jerking transmission and the dealer does not want to recognize it. I have read forums and a lot of people have experienced the same issue with the same dealers answer. Buy it, you will love it, but be careful it can break ur heart when you start having mechanical issues. I still love it even that is problem car!

• 

  The Best - 2009 Audi Q5
  By Sailor - May 15 - 5:29 pm

  Would like to see some reviews on 2010 model. Considered the BMW X3 & X5, VW Tiguan & Tourag and MB GLK. Decided the Q5 was the best bet. Have owned it for 30 days and havent regretted my choice yet. Overall quality, fit & finish, drivability are outstanding. Negative comments in 2009 reviews seem to be fixed for 2010 (steering and tranny). Gadgets are mind boggling until you learn how to use the and then you learn to love them.

• 

  Almost perfect - 2010 Audi S4
  By CF - May 15 - 12:48 am

  This car is so much fun to drive and so quiet, I have to keep checking the speedometer to make sure Im not speeding. Build quality is excellent. The car feels really solid. The manual transmission is a joy to use. It even makes shifting suggestions. The car has so much torque that Im often in 6th gear going 50 km/hr and still have decent passing power.

• 

  Great Car - 2007 Audi A4
  By Brenham - May 14 - 12:44 pm

  Exterior is sharp! Love everything about the car, except: the somewhat cheap looking center armrest in the front seat that looks slightly out of place, the lack of leg room in the rear and the slight turbo lag on taking off from a dead stop. Besides these, I love this car.

• 

  A nice change to the typical coupe - 2010 Audi A5
  By Alan - May 14 - 11:01 am

  I was in the market for a fun car and wanted a coupe. Everyone, and their mother has a 328i, C-class, and G37, all for good reasons. If you want a car thats a complete eye catcher, decent fuel economy, and just fun to get in everyday, this is a great choice. The only thing it lack is a little more power. That is easily fixed with an ECU tune, bringing the car from 211 hp to 240, and 258 tq, to 333 tq. That is is more tq than an S5, and makes the V6 middle option a complete waste of money. My initial ratings are with the car straight from the factory. Since the ECU tune, my I would rate it a 10 for performance and fuel economy.

• 

  Unreliable but good looking - 2010 Audi A4
  By Adi Charlotte NC - May 14 - 10:13 am

  If you want a candy for an eye, this is a car for you. If you want a reliable vehicle, DO NOT buy Audi with 2.0T engine! To most people, adding oil every 1000 miles is a hassle but Audi will tell you its "normal". Google "A4 oil consumption problem" for more details on this issue.

• 

  Audi Convert - 2010 Audi A6
  By Audi Convert - May 13 - 10:00 pm

  Was a BMW person for 20 years, tried Infiniti, but always liked the Audi designs, and after making the comparison, decided to lease an Audi A6 Premium Plus (3.0T) from Audi of Alexandria. Had to drive 500 miles the day after getting the car, and found that the car just gets better and better at highway speeds (much of the trip was through 70 mph zones, and “of course” I never exceeded the speed limit. lol!). These cars are made for highway driving, but around town, has great balance of weight, power, handling and ride. Curb appeal is also very high as these are great looking cars! It’s one of those cars you can just admire from every angle with both a classic look, but with modern design.

• 

  Really want to love this car but - 2009 Audi A6
  By J-Houston - May 13 - 9:40 pm

  I have had the car for a little over a year and it has been at the dealership for repair 12 times. They have replaced both headlights, re-installed the MMi software twice, replaced the phone module, searched for the source of a strong coolant smell after the car sat for a week and spent days attempting to eliminate a persistent rattle in the dash. There is still a rattle in the back seat, but I think I will just live with it. The car has run fine and is fun to drive and nice to look at, but I shutter to think what will break next.