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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  a creature of comfort - 2003 Audi A4
  By kb - February 27 - 2:00 am

  The 03 Audi A4 has been a blast to drive. One word-QUATTRO! I do not think I will buy another car without AWD. Audi design is impressive. Very nice interiors. Excellent paint finishes. The 3.0 has hussle, but may be less impressive at low torque. Cons: Brakes squeek, interior wind noise at higher speeds 70-80mph. Overall awesome! Wish I had the S4!

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  Better than a Bimmer - 2003 Audi A4
  By docraven - February 27 - 2:00 am

  Ive had (and loved)a 3 series BMW, but this car is even more fun to drive. The Quattro AWD gives the car a feeling of adhesion to the road thats amazing.

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  Zero defects over 18 months & 17000 mile - 2001 Audi TT
  By scoTT - February 25 - 10:00 am

  Perhaps the most practical sports car in the market. Folding down the rear seats and opening the hatch of my coupe allowed me to transport a 25" TV (in the sales box!) Incredibly comfortable seats and quiet cabin, as proven in a 28-hour trip (2 drivers). Highly responsive steering and braking. Automated HVAC rapidly cools car from 100F and heats almost as fast from 10F. HID lighting is the best Ive experienced in a stock system. The quattro system with Dunlop Winter Sport tyres make you scoff at snow storms (try that in a Boxster or M3). This is my 6th Audi (and 2nd TT) since 1975 and the best of the bunch.

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  A great used car - 2005 Audi A4
  By 3timeaudiowner - February 25 - 7:15 am

  Bought this car used, a first for me. It is the third Audi I have owned, the second A4. A tremendous used value and more reliable than a BMW (I have had 3 of those, too). Smooth ride, great ergonomics, extremely comfortable. My only complaint is that the auto tranny has trouble finding 1st gear, it can be rough. Other than that, a tremendous road car with great performance that I recommend highly.

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  Especially nice for a small lux sedan - 2008 Audi A4
  By Steven T. - February 24 - 1:45 pm

  Purchased w/8000 miles. Went from 2001 Maxima. Car is great. No complaints. Very cozy and quick. So much electronics that I get lost in the car (a good thing). Gas mileage is terrific, about 23 overall. Got 36 on a 400 mile highway trip. Wheels are a little hard to keep clean of brake dust. Never drove a car so perfect.

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  The TT is a good car. - 2008 Audi TT
  By Allan - February 23 - 5:37 pm

  My previous cars were a 2005 Lotus Elise and a 2000 Boxster S before that. I need a 4 seater for my baby son and the TT was the only car that really interested me short of a 911. Comparatively, the TT is very capable in the real world. Its handling is decent, however the steering a bit light and theres too much understeer in the canyons. Acceleration is decent and brake is excellent. Storage is adequate. Its a good daily driver car. I did compare payment to a similar spec VW GTi (no interest in it but just doing due diligence) and the TT is about $125 more a month so its not a bad deal.

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  Loving It For 2 Months Now - 2009 Audi A3
  By Keith - February 22 - 4:51 pm

  Picked up an 09 A3 2.0T Quattro DSG in January. Now that its broken in & Ive started pushing it, Im very impressed with the performance. The auto shift is flawless & returns decent fuel economy (about 22mpg in city so far), but when pushed (or in Sport mode), this car can go. Punch it when you need to pass & youre smoothly up to 80+ before you know it. Exterior & interior fit/styling have been excellent w/ no issues to-date. The only minor flaws Ive come across are the floor mats (not very wear or stain resistant), how the bright yellow passenger airbag off indicator stands out from the rest of the dash lights, & the lack of small storage compartments for coins or other.

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  Sexy from the outside but the inside - 2006 Audi A4
  By Sam - February 22 - 10:23 am

  I love this car. The first time I saw the front grill I thought it was the new A6. When I found out it was the A4, went right to the dealer and picked one up. cornering with this car and manipulating the brake assistant and other intelligent technology features makes the ride more fun than even my old 2004 C 230k. Example just try to turn driving and braking way too late; you will be amazed at what this car does! Also cornering at higher speeds than normal feels great but will speeding up feels even beter.

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  Love my Audi S5 - 2016 Audi S5
  By James - February 22 - 3:46 am

  Great power and comfortable driving experience. Beautiful exterior and interior. We receive compliments on it weekly at grocery stores, gas stations, etc. The car is a real head turner. Would definitely purchase again.

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  Vegas5 - 2009 Audi A5
  By Vegas - February 21 - 11:48 am

  For the money, one of the best cars I have owned. I have received so much interest from other drivers whether driving it or walking up and people stopping to inquire. Driving impression for such a heavy car is terrific and well balanced. The all wheel drive and 19 inch wheels no doubt compensate. One reviewer complained about the steering. I dont see it. I have not heard rattle, squeak or shutter. The fit and build quality is tremendous. Plus, youre not seeing yourself coming down the road in a 3 series. The v6 has great power. The V8 blows you away, but so does the gas. Great car.