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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  Great Convertible - 2010 Audi A5
  By Paul - March 26 - 9:00 pm

  Just picked up my 2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet. I traded in a 2004 A4 Cabriolet. The new car is white with brown interior and brown top. It is a beautiful car and the bonus is a decent trunk as compared to the Lexus, Infiniti, BMW & Volvo hardtop convertibles which have little or no trunk room.

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  I think my live was worth $37K - 2009 Audi A4
  By 100 miles a day - March 25 - 10:46 pm

  I think this car saved my life. Cruising at ~30 mph, then I was rear ended at ~60 mph by a Nissan, then hit head-on by a Cadillac at ~35 mph! Audi was totaled but performed great, did not walk away, but "only" have a badly broken foot. Purchased new in spring of 09 versus a cpo a4 or BMW 3 series. The new 09 a4 was such a huge change and looked so good it was worth the extra $100/month to me. Wanted a standard 6 speed trans. But was strong armed into the auto/tiptronic. The quattro system is awesome, the 2.0 turbo had plenty of power and I averaged 30 mpg in mostly highway driving over 12k miles before it was totaled. Would reconsider with a manual trans. And clear-bra.

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  Should have sold it. - 1997 Audi A4
  By M - March 24 - 5:59 pm

  This review is cathartic because who cares about this car anymore. Up until 45-50K it was okay as far as maintenance and repairs are concerned. After that look out. Its like a bad marriage you hope and deceive yourself into believing it will get better..and it doesnt. I could have bought another car with the amount of money spent on repairs. Its not just the cost but the repeated occurrences. The dealerships are horrible and AUDI USA is even worse. I will never again own an Audi unless its given to me, because then the cost of repairs will be like I purchased it. It shouldnt cost me the price of 2 cars to own one.

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  All around best used car I ever bought - 2001 Audi A8
  By Car buff - March 24 - 4:31 pm

  Dumped my 06 R350, to much time in the shop and issues never fixed. Should have got an another Audi-well now I have- this is my 2nd one and I love the big car feeling, plenty of power, great handling all the creature comforts, get one used if you can and save a few $$. Put 9k miles on it so far and it just does what it supposed to do! It now has 145k and feels like new. Great car.

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  Fairly Impressed - 2004 Audi S4
  By Proud Dad - March 24 - 12:53 pm

  Was looking for a 4 door with some grunt...domestics (Charger, Impala, etc) were garbage. S4 head and shoulders above. This car gets after it. Seats are extremely supportive and engine growl is addicting. Hugs the road and begs for curves. Dont know if I would recommend for a commuter car. Made more for crooked back roads. Best looking car on road in my opinion and its 5 years old at this point! Averaging around 19 combined mpg--and thats with me "going easy" on acceleration and driving a lot of interstate. Like I said, not necessarily a commuter car or a car thats going to attract a lot of attention (a good thing in my book!).

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  Love Love Love It! - 2008 Audi A3
  By Jeannek - March 23 - 11:21 am

  I had to get a 4 door b/c I was pregnant but I wanted as close to a sports car w/4 doors as possible. After much research and reading, I found the A3. I am a true car junkie- grew up reading my dads car mags & this car does everything I need it to and more. I have the S-Line & although I got the automatic instead of manual trans (hard to shift & find binkies), it is a blast to drive! The acceleration esp when you go to pass is amazing- put your foot down &/or downshift & it just goes! I know its a little small (Im 52") but my 6 husband & tall step kids all fit w/my Britax car seat. I love the hatch & when the time comes, Ill just get another one!

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  Worth every dollar! - 2010 Audi A5
  By David W - March 22 - 10:53 pm

  I have been researching this vehicle for a long time. I have owned many BMWs and a couple of MBs, but this baby is something else. The A5 3.2 has two personalities, one the one hand, its elegant and chic. On the other hand the A5 3.2 is ruthless. When the car is in Sports mode, the car is angry but with confidence. The Quattro AWD adapted from the Lamborghini Gallardo grips the road, as if it is going to tear up the asphalt. The cockpit interior design hugs the driver in preparedness to launch like a skunk work black-ops project. The A5 is a fantastic vehicle. If you can afford it, get it!

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  So much for German Engineering - 2006 Audi A3
  By Juanp - March 22 - 9:30 am

  It seems that Germans have not discovered aluminum. All the interior design is in plastic with silly parts that break and are not covered by the warranty. Of course, the crooks from the dealer will charge $1000 for any stupid part and make you wait for a week to get it. I used the back seat arm rest once and it broke I plugged an ipod in the cigarette lighter and it broke the two moon light roof hatches broke the bolt that holds the spare tire broke, etc. In addition, the car gets a check engine light every six months. As another reviewer noted, I had to change the Pirelli tires at 10k miles because they were really noisy. Finally, the dealers are pretty bad (but thats another post)

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  Buyer Beware - 1999 Audi A4
  By John M in T.O. - March 21 - 11:41 am

  I purchased this car in July 09 and loved the way it drove. However, after owning it for 8 months it needed $1250.00 for a valve seal problem and at the same time my mechanic recommended to change the timing belt as well, which is another $1300. Then I had a heavy vibration through my steering wheel which I decided was the last straw. Instead of fixing everything, I traded it in on a 97 Lexus ES 300 which I should have bought to begin with. This Lexus is amazing and so smooth as well. Be understanding that if you do purchase this Audi car that you have to be prepared for heavy labor costs on fixing it. Everything is $500+ and some servicing will ding you $1000 plus.

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  Short review after 1400 miles- A6 - 2010 Audi A6
  By Mattsam - March 20 - 7:30 pm

  I purchased the 2010 Audi A6 3.0 supercharged early this year. WOW what a car. Im an Acura guy and looked hard at a RL, the ZDX, and another MDX (would have been my third) All are great cars with only the MDX considerably less expensive. They just didnt thrill me. I was leasing my first company vehicle and I have owned/driven many of the premium brands. I was always drawn to the Audi, I hardly see one on the road. The ride is plush, the gadgets are over the top cool, and the 3.0 supercharged engine is top notch. Its been in the shop once already for check engine (dirt in a sensor) but I dont care. Every time I drive it Im smiling ear to ear!