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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  Audi allroad 2003 - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By guenthpw - January 23 - 10:00 am

  Successful blend of utility and comfort, good looks; fun to drive. Power. Roomy. Many useful features like the ski storage, the net in the luggage area, etc. Unlike with other German cars, controls and information display are a perfect compromise between completeness and ease of use. Very comfortable seats, adjust easily. Cons: Insufficient lumbar support, road rumble, excessive tire wear ($800 per set every 20,000 miles), pronounced delay of turbines on dead start, initial glitches that are typical for German cars. But with the excellent Audi service at Maplewood Imports, I have trouble remembering the details of the faults. The care now runs flawlessly.

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  Audi TT 2008 - 2008 Audi TT
  By Patrick W - January 22 - 10:46 am

  Bought the TT after having an Audi Cab for many years. Loved the car at first sight and had to have it. It has never disappointed me. Handles in snow and ice without any difficulties or worries.

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  A -stands for Awesome! - 2003 Audi A4
  By bostonDMD - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Just picked up my new A4 QM with sport,cold and premium packages. The car is awesome, extremely stable and secure.... nothing like my old slob, I mean Saab. If you are looking for a sharp looking car that you will be able to drive in any kind of weather conditions, this is it. Period. +

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  Excellence - 2003 Audi A4
  By Andrew - January 17 - 11:44 pm

  The car is amazing, the 5 speed is gear limited at 138 MPH, but it gets there fast with the 1.8T engine. Definitely worthy of a test drive, thats all it takes. One good pull away from a red light and youre hooked. If youre in it for luxury, you are by no means left out, this car has more features than any of the new lincolns, cadillacs, or beemers I have sat in. If youre in it for economy, Im seeing an average of 26MPG mixed city and highway (about 60/40% respectively), so its not too shabby.

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  THE Perfect Car - 2008 Audi TT
  By dani3786 - January 17 - 1:44 pm

  I have had this car for 8 months and I still get all giddy when I see it. I feel that the seats fit my body so well that when I sit down in them, my happy tt is giving me a hug. Its fast, its sexy and handles well. I have never felt that the car has put me in danger and I love how noisy the exhaust is (but its not an annoying noise like from some modified cars). I feel bad for people who have chosen to buy other cars in its class.

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  Driving experience - 2006 Audi A3
  By frank - January 15 - 2:11 pm

  Really fun to drive, excellent comfort and the sound of the powertrain is pleasing.

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  Expensive to Fix: But to be expected - 1998 Audi A4
  By COOQUACK - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought my A4 used: My first used car in many years. I love the car, but it certainly can be pricey in repair bills. In the last several months I have replaced 2 ball barrings and a leaking seal - spilling oil into both the upper and lower pans (in total costing almost 2 grand.) Now, I need new brakes (something the Audi dealer instisted I didnt need) and I recently started having a problem with the emmisions. It certainly isnt my last car (Accord EX), which I bought new, put 60,000 miles on, and never replaced a thing on(except wipers and tires.) BUT, I STILL LOVE MY AUDI. Its performace and handling outweigh the mechanical hassels (so far...)

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  A few reservations - 2006 Audi A4
  By JSL1 - January 14 - 1:33 am

  The A4, while fun to drive, leaves some reservations. There is a noticeable hesitation when starting from zero. Consumer Reports mentions this. The 4-cyl. turbo, while powerful with a nice, occasionally pleasant burble, is, at times coarse. Also noticed by CR. The sound quality of the audio system is just good, not up to the sound in our 99 A6. But the comfort and convenience, the surprising torque, the sheer joy of taking turns faster than you really should while the A4 clings firmly to the asphalt is thrilling.

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  2008 Audi A6 - 2008 Audi A6
  By Gary - January 12 - 8:27 pm

  Driving dynamics are brilliant. The car rides like a train on the rails. There is no slipping nor sliding. Quattro system makes sure of that. Every mechanical component works in total harmony with each other. The interior appointments must be an envy of every other automaker. From the incredible ergonomics to the impeccable attention to the slightest details, this car clearly is a winner.

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  outstanding drop top - 2003 Audi A4
  By footloose - January 9 - 10:00 am

  Audi has built an outstanding vehicle which is every inch a performance car as well. Fun to drive,good stlying and lots of innovations. So far we have enjoyed every mile we driven this Audi!!