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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  Even with Ext. Warranty - 2000 Audi A4
  By DPS - May 8 - 2:00 am

  My car is cute and fun to drive. I love it...It just doesnt love me. After 50K it is beginning to fall apart. Faulty airbag, faulty steering column, disintegrated fuel pump (which led to bent valves and an engine replacement), whiny turbo, faulty o2 sensor, faulty master air flow sensor... In the past year, the vehicle has had ~$8K in repairs. Luckily I had an extended, but I still sacrifice my time and $50 every time the check engine light comes on.

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  Fun car to drive! - 2001 Audi A4
  By fbellay - May 8 - 2:00 am

  This is a very comfortable and fun car to drive. I like the feeling of control when driving the car, thanks to the Quattro transmission. Ive had only one minor problem with it. An aligment wheel which got covered by the waranty. The sad thing with these luxury cars is the depreaction which is pretty steep. My only regret with this car is its lack of power (1.8T engine). It sometimes feel underpowered. My next car will also be an A4, but this time with the bigger engine V6 or even the S4 if I can afford it.

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  Used Buyer Beware - 2001 Audi A6
  By notaudifan - May 7 - 2:00 am

  After almost 4 years, I will soon be rid of this vehicle, as I will not purchase it at the end of lease.The car has spent more than 7 weeks in the dealer service department (this does not count 1 day trips). The dealer has been quite helpful, but after 3 computers, new coils, injectors, driver window, 3 catalytic convertors, and other assorted bits, I will say goodbye.

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  Great Mountain Car if you can afford it - 1997 Audi A4
  By skirat - May 6 - 2:00 am

  I love this car! I bought it used at 85k miles and have a 117000 now. Its smooth, good pep- not a barn burner, but adequate. The naturally asperated FI V6 is very nice. The car is solid like a Benz and has a strong hint of Porche in it. Its a cat in the snow. The wheels never spin-never! I recently bought a 2004- I like it even more! Repairs are expensive- Its cheaper to lease a new one covered in warranty, then to keep pouring big bucks into the old babe- Nothing lasts for ever...

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  Only Oil and Gas - Great car - 1996 Audi A4
  By RichGilb - May 3 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great car. It is fun to drive, its been VERY reliable (only oil and gas), and it has a great stereo. Definately get the 2.8 quattro. It hugs the road and does well in snow. I was worried about Audi because of the 5000 issues in the 80s. But this car has won me over!

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  Fun to drive - 2000 Audi TT
  By triumpher - May 3 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is just fun to drive. It feels and is very fast and quick, and the quadro makes it feel like running on rails. We had a Corvette befor that , but this one is more fun.

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  Audi VS Detroit - 1998 Audi A4
  By Bill Anthony - May 3 - 2:00 am

  Past owner of Corvettes and just traded in a 1994 Z-28 that I loved with 140,000 miles on it. This Audi handles corners like it is on rails. The power is less than my Z-28 but very usable with the 5 speed automatic slap shift option. Loves the highway. Great car !

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  Good styling, Terrible power. - 2003 Audi A4
  By dirk - May 2 - 10:00 am

  You have to give props to Audi for their styling of the A4, but talk about lack of power and torque, it is very sluggish and the front wheel drive is not a characteristic of a true sports car. Other than that the quality and build are good.

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  almost love it - 2004 Audi A8
  By jhouseman - May 2 - 2:00 am

  It drives beautifully. I have had mercedes, lexus and BMW, and this car drives better than all of them. However, the attention to simple conveniences is not there. For example, Good luck finding a water bottle that will not fall over in the front cup holders. Also there is only a 6 CD changer. No additional single CD changer (as in the BMW) nor a tape deck. This means that you cannot switch between sources without losing your place. So while the car is a pleasure to drive, it does not take care of some of the simple things that you should never notice.

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  2001 A4 1.8T FWD - 2001 Audi A4
  By asb149 - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Great car...only wish I had held out for the new body style in 2002. The only problem I have had in the 3 years since I bought it new (knock on wood) was a reoccurring blown front door- speaker. I do not regret not buying the quattro as I do not live in snow- country.