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-A4 Quattro - 2005 Audi A4
  By Leslie - May 8 - 6:20 pm

  Very reliable in little snow fall. Handles well in small spaces and on turns. Looks very nice!

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  Great car - 1998 Audi A4
  By Aidan Grace - May 8 - 4:24 pm

  I really like this car. When buying the car I thought I would be fun and safe ride and went for it despite its low ground clearance, I was worried about winter driving. I live in northern Vermont where winters are long, snowy and icy. It turned out to be the best winter car I have ever driven. When it got really bad out we would leave the all wheel drive truck with studded snow tires at home and use the Audi. I did put a set of good studded snow tires on it but what made it stick to the road was the great suspension and quattro system, by adjusting the throttle you could decide if you wanted to over steer or under steer

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  Drop dead gorgeous and a fun ride! - 2008 Audi TT
  By Fritz Waldow - May 8 - 3:25 pm

  Really wonderful except the gas mileage. After having owned three 225hp TT Roadster before I have to admit I really like the sound of the engine. Compared to the 225hp experiences before however this 6cyl consumes considerably more fuel (hwy 25 vs hwy 29). Obviously the first TT almost made me a die-hard TT fan, but there have been considerable improvements to the new generation, such as a larger trunk (no lie: it can manage two gold bags), a better top, great GPS and customizable computer. Needless to say that I just love the design. All wheel makes it a safer ride even under challenging circumstances.

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  Stick to the Road - 2008 Audi A4
  By Waiting for Alfa - May 6 - 2:55 pm

  This is my 3rd A4 Avant (1999 2003 2008). I recently had to retire my 1995 Alfa 164LS. I purchased this to drive along with our 2003 A4 Avant. The plan is to retire the 2003 and keep the 2008 once Alfa returns to the USA. The car is quite sporty in nature. It appears as if the new A4 will have more driver right leg room, but it is unclear whether the new Avant will be offered as a 6 speed. We only have had manual transmissions with sport suspension. The 2008 2.0 engine is more throaty and powerful than previous models. The four wheel drive sticks like glue. The 2.0 torque is limited, but the acceleration is fine, with little turbo lag. Forget BMW and go for it.

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  TT Dolomite - 2004 Audi TT
  By JettaRed - May 6 - 11:49 am

  I bought this car as a CPO car in September 2007. It had come off of a lease and was immaculate. The styling is untouchable, the Audi rings are enviable. Boy racers (WRX, Evo, etc) dont even come close to the classiness of this car. Now the fun! With some computer reprogramming and bolt-on performance modifications, this car will behave according to its image. Chip tuning, water injection, exhaust upgrade, and AWD controller upgrade make this car the car that the factory should have produced.

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  A Fine German Piece of Engineering - 2008 Audi A6
  By Tom M - May 5 - 7:31 pm

  I was in the market for an all-wheel drive german executive car, so my choices were the MB E350 4Matic, BMW 535xi, or the Audi A6 3.2, and I went with the Audi. And I really think I made the right choice. I dont like the idea that underneath its a Passat, but the interior styling is unmatched and look nothing alike. The Quattro system works beautifully in all conditions. Im getting about 31MPG average, which is great for this sized car. Im just slightly disapointed with the acceleration. When merging on a highway(especially in NJ!), its somewhat lazy and throttle response isnt as immediate as I hoped for. Like all Audi.s, the ride is firm, so beware of long trips.

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  quick, powerful, smooth..... BUT.... - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By hfjuice - May 5 - 6:52 pm

  My audi has 160,000 miles bought it not too long ago has no major problem but the oxygen censer gave up on me. other than that drive like new. the turbos are very nice has very little lag, it pick ups on the highway. the car hauls and has won me a race with a 740 bwm. my only big concern is the mpg in the city! this car really shine in the highway. for the power that it has it ok but i would love to see me squeezing a bit more on my fuel tank.

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  A ver different German Experience - 2004 Audi A6
  By Auto Expert - May 5 - 4:47 pm

  After owning an E55 AMG this Audi seems a bit slow by comparison. The ride quality is exceptional however the overall handling is not up to par with other "sports sedans". I am impressed with most of what this car has to offer. I am not a big fan of the "quattro" system however, living in No. California there really is no need for "AWD". I wish that Audi would offer their cars with "rear wheel drive" and quattro. This is a fine car for anyone seeking a high line luxury used car. I would recommend the Audi extended warranty with any used German car you consider purchasing. There is just too much that can go wrong with these highly technical vehicles.

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  Understated excellence - 2004 Audi S4
  By Homer742 - May 5 - 4:30 pm

  Ive owned my 2004 S4 for almost two years now (bought w/ 15k miles), sufficient time both to get over any new car puppy love and to notice any reliability issues. Well, Im still in love and the only reliability issue was a balky sunroof switch that was replaced under warranty. At first glance, it appears to be a mild-mannered A4: solid German engineering in a conservatively styled sedan. But once youve settled into a front seat that holds you tight and heard the V8 grumble to life, you know this is no A4. A few corners at high speed and one highway on-ramp are all thats needed to confirm that youre driving an agile machine that carries speed deceptively well.

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  Unreal - 2008 Audi A5
  By New A5 Owner - May 5 - 4:18 pm

  Forget turning heads, this car snaps necks. I have only had the car 2 weeks, but there is nothing I am not thrilled with. The value, drive, style and technology are all superior to any other car I considered. I originally wanted an S5, but just cannot justify the extra ~90HP given the fuel economy difference.