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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  The Greatest Sleeper - 2007 Audi A3
  By Haywood - May 21 - 10:43 pm

  I traded an 04 R32 for the A3 and havent been disappointed yet. It has good performance and is fun to drive fast or slow. DSG is just great.

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  the real TT review - 2001 Audi TT
  By TT in hawaii - May 21 - 10:00 am

  FYI: TT stands for "Tourist Trophy" Out of the many choices i had (S2000, Boxter, SLK 320, and Z3 3.0) the audi proved to be the winner. Nothing beets the all wheel drive quattro system, in no other car, i have i felt so incontrol (everychance i get, while in the pouring rain, ill speed up, rather than slow down. Let her rip. To hear the turbo spoon and the exhaust roar, makes others wonder, "Is that stock?" Audi seems to be the hidden treasure in the automotive industry. But all it takes is one test drive and youll be sold.

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  Love my car - 2000 Audi A4
  By Happy4 - May 20 - 9:21 pm

  I bought my Audi new from the dealer and have enjoyed driving it for the past 6 1/2 years. I love the responsiveness of the engine, it is zippy and just a blast to drive. I have a stick shift. It has great traction on the road and in the snow. Repair-wise, I have not had anything terrible happen to my car. I had an electrical problem at about 2 years old, but once it was repaired, Ive been fine ever since, and I got a new radio out of that deal! I have not experienced problems with the brakes wearing out or anything like that. Now that I am over 60K miles I take it to a reliable local repair shop that is more convenient and less expensive. This is a great little car. Best car Ive ever had.

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  I LOVE THIS CAR! - 2007 Audi A4
  By Jorgen - May 19 - 1:13 pm

  I recently purchased a 2007 Audi A4 2.0T six speed with the sport package. This car is simply awesome!! There is virtually no turbo lag. The acceleration is simply breathtaking. It is hard to believe that this car has only has 200 hp. It feels more like 250 hp. The six speed will do 0-60 in 6.5 secs (but feels even faster when the temp outside is between 40 -50 degrees - turbos like cool weather). The passing acceleration is equally impressive. Just drop down a gear and whoosh, the turbo blasts the car forward leaving other cars in your wake. I am also impressed with the handling capabilities of the A4. Many of the components of the sport suspension are borrowed from the S4 and it shows.

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  A6 4.2 - A Blast to Drive! - 2007 Audi A6
  By TC - May 19 - 10:12 am

  Ive driven Acuras for 15 years (Vigor, TL) and loved them. My new 2007 A6 4.2 is my first German car, and I love it. I wanted a 4WD vehicle with large engine and room to fit my bike. I started looking at the BMW X5, Acura RL and MDX, and the Lexus RX. I liked the X5 a lot, but really preferred a sedan. When I discovered the A6 had 350 hp, beautiful interior, and an enormous trunk, I was in. My test drive sealed the deal. Ive had the car for 6 weeks and 1,400 mi, and am loving every minute. Its fun to drive with tons of power and lots of class. Im sure Ill feel some pain in the wallet for service, but Audis service contract eases that a bit. A big thumbs-up for Audi!

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  German Engineering - 2007 Audi A4
  By Edmond - May 18 - 1:19 am

  Words alone cannot describe the artwork this car is. From the moment you sit in the car you feel comfort and to the point of making turns at 60 mph you still feel the ground which gives you believe in the car you trust it in the most severe time, and it doesnt let you down. 4 cylinder engine, great on gas especially now that will hit $4 a gallon, and does not compromise power. 200 hp is quite enough. The interior, as always, high quality.

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  Fun little guy! - 2007 Audi A3
  By Yo mama! - May 17 - 2:17 pm

  I love this car, we dumped our Touareg off and never looked back. That thing was cursed! Our A3 is a great addition to our garage, utility, and fun at the same time. If you are over 63" I would go bigger but at 511" I fit just fine. Totally recommend this car.

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  attn: door slammers - 2004 Audi A4
  By mortimer - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Great car love the handling. Its fun to take a 40-50 mph turn on a city block without fishtailing. Only bad comment, you have to keep reminding friends to close the doors gently. The doors are light and close with little effort. So people tend to always slam them..followed by "sorry"

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  Great 1.8t A-4 - 2004 Audi A4
  By audi-a4 - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Great piece of machinery. I had the 96 a4 2.8 when they first came into the states & the new 2004 1.8t is an huge improvement. Love the car & so does my wife when I let her drive it. ;)

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  2004 1.8T 6M Quattro Ultrasport - 2004 Audi A4
  By Skipnatl - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Bought the Ultrasport as it was a knock- out sitting on the showroom floor. The visual difference between the Ultra and the stock car is so vast, the additional dollars dont seem to matter. You know youve got a great looking car when valets comment on it and people ask about it at the car wash. The car is a hoot to drive, and is very responsive. The Quattro system, while adding weight, certainly picks up the slack in curves or slick roads. Audi could kick up the HP and I wouldnt mind, in fact, that is all I would ask for at this point, 20 or 30 more horses. The engine itself is great fun, with more personality than the 3.0. I love this car.