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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  Love Hate Relationship - 1998 Audi A6
  By Jackied _irl - August 21 - 2:00 am

  I fell in love with this car the second I drove it – yes even girls love cars! It handles very well in New England snow & after giving up my much loved rear-wheel drive BMW the Audi AWD was a God send! I did however fall victim to the nasty fuel tank problem & had the sensors replaced 3 times. Once the dealer even contaminated the gas with diesel! The dealer & Audi in general have been the hate part of my car relationship. Would I buy this car again? I would have to say No. The reason: The dealers, I know, I’ve been to most of them within 80 miles of Boston & have yet to find a competent one! Alas, BMW this is where you win.

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  Fun to drive, expensive to repair - 1998 Audi A4
  By Permechanic - August 18 - 2:00 am

  I loved the road handling and the way 80 mph felt like 35 mph. -Quattro will take off some low end grunt from a stand still. The styling is very slick and the interior very comfortable. However, I found the car to require frequent, expensive service.

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  Practicality was never so much fun! - 2000 Audi S4
  By jatwrite - August 12 - 2:00 am

  The S4 is an outstanding overall vehicle for someone who likes to have fun driving but has practical needs too -- like a fold-down rear seat, decent trunk, four doors, etc. Also fun to modify: for $600 I bought a chip (APR) that adds 58 hp and 100 lb ft of torque, making torque 358!!! Quarter mile under 14 yet still a comfortable ride.

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  German Disappointment - 1999 Audi A6
  By NC_Audi_Owner - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car used -- still under Audi A$$urance -- and boy did we need it! Dealer tried to weasel out of almost all our issues. Our personal mechanic was more reliable than the dealer. We bought Audi because we trust German engineering (we own a 13 year old Benz that has over 225K miles - still solid as a rock!). Sorry to say .. this will be our last 2.8 A6 -- and its interesting to see Audi now using a 3.0 in place of the 2.8 -- hmmmmmmmm.

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  Pain in the you know what - 1998 Audi A4
  By richard303 - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought it in 03. The thing is expensive to repair 1200 for a timing belt??? Also the control arm on mine is going or gone along w/ the tie rod ends and Ive heard that it is a problem on the 98s but audi has not officially made it a recall on all 98s...thats another 2k down the drain. The car is very good in the performance area but could use a hp boost seeing how a chipped 1.8T would already out do it in hp.

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  My 1998 A4Q - 1998 Audi A4
  By marstein - August 11 - 2:00 am

  I own this car for 5 years now. It has the sports package, Bose Audio and 6 CD changer. INterior is leather. The leather held up very well, the only scratches are from my daughter throwing a tantrum in the rear seat with her sandals, using the buckles. The only thing that bothers me is a light rattle when cold over my shoulder. Poblems fixed by a repair: some control arm broke down after 5 years and the transmission was leaking. Otherwise Ive been lucky. The car rides comfortably, the engine (30V) is very silky smooth but powerful. It does use some oil (1/2 l every month or so). The quattro AWD was useful for skiing vacation. I never slipped anywhere.

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  94 audi - 1994 Audi 100
  By stevekottdr.stephenk - August 7 - 2:00 am

  good but many minor mechanical problems and hardware problems

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  Modified TT Rag - 2001 Audi TT
  By CarlC - August 7 - 2:00 am

  First off, this is my second TT. My first, was a Black 225 Coupe. I loved it. I drove it 50K miles in the first year and sold it to buy the Roadster. I was able to find a leftover 2001 225 in silver. I have since dropped the car an inch using Eibach Springs and added 18" wheels. I have also installed an Alpine Head Unit featuring XM radio. I have not had any issues with the car. It is solid and fun to drive. Its looks are unique and striking. Kudos to Audi!

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  Quick car! - 2003 Audi A6
  By Kevinh - August 6 - 2:00 am

  The engine in this car is awesome. Its going to get me in trouble with speeding. it seems like it keeps pulling even at top highway speeds. The interior fit and finish is great

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  Smooth German Machine - 1997 Audi A6
  By Jorgen - August 4 - 2:00 am

  This car performs amazing well in all types of weather. I can see why people love Audis so much. Just when you think that youre going to lose it in a snow or rain storm, the quattro system comes to the rescue. I will never go back to a rear or front wheel drive car again. Power is decent for a car of this size (but if you want a real rocket, look for the S6 version of this car [1995 model year]). The interior is first class and the body is vault solid.