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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  Poor Mans RS6. - 2004 Audi A6
  By the car expert... - April 23 - 1:21 am

  I have been a fan of the RS6 model since it came out. Then Audi decided to make a "S-Line" A6 twin turbo V6. This is a terrific car to own (provided you protect your investment and buy the extended warranty!) I found that owning this beautiful sedan is really a pleasure. While I dont need the "quattro" feature here in Northern CA. Other than that, I really enjoy the engines performance, the elegant euro design inside and out and the ride quality and quiet driving experience. All in all I highly recommend owning this fine sedan if "European Sporty Luxury" is something you are looking for.

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  Giving up the Audi - 2003 Audi A4
  By pina8 - April 22 - 10:52 pm

  After owning the Audi for almost 5 yrs, Im ready to give it up and move on to a more reliable and cheap to fix sedan (Honda or Toyota). Although it has been fun to drive, i have had a few problems--the initial take-off is dangerous with it sliding and forcibly popping into gear without going anywhere, the air-conditioning never got cold enough (making it worse w/charcoal-colored interior), front air and radio buttons scratched off and needed replacing, frequent engine light indicators going off needing repairs (recent oxygen sensor & gas valve sensor repairs cost almost $1000). It has been fun and sexy to drive though!

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  An SUV that is actually fun to drive!! - 2008 Audi Q7
  By bubmom - April 22 - 1:07 am

  After driving a bulky Expedition for 5 years, I really wanted a car. But with kids and lots of carpooling, a car was out of the question. I really needed 3rd row seating. My quest was to find an SUV that handled like a car. After lots of test drives, nothing compared to driving the Audi Q7. It was actually fun to drive! The all wheel drive makes turning ratios a breeze. I bought the 4.2 L and wow can it go! I love the MMI (takes a few hours to get used to but it is a great system). Seats are very comfortable, 2nd row seat huge, 3rd row I can sit in comfortably (Im 56"). Interior is so cool at night with lots of red lights. The huge sunroof is a must.

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  Why didnt I buy one sooner? - 2008 Audi A3
  By slushbox - April 21 - 2:01 pm

  Having been a BMW loyalist the last 8 years, buying a hatchback from Audi was a huge leap of faith. It was, however, the best decision I could have made. If you dont get silly with some of the options, this vehicle provides the optimum balance of performance, fuel economy, prestige, utility, and comfort. There are plenty of other cars that do each of these better, but the whole of the A3 is greater than the sum of its parts. Taking off ramps at 25+ MPH gives me the same giddiness as my last BMW did. It turns heads, and the interior is extremely well thought out. The trunk holds a lot of space, the mileage it gets is quite respectable, and it turns heads wherever I drive.

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  Great Car! - 2006 Audi A4
  By Ian - April 18 - 4:54 pm

  I bought my A4 used with 29K miles, and it feels like I bought a new car. The 2.0T is more than enough for normal daily driving. The CVT took a little getting used to, but now I love the smooth shifting it provides. The interior is very classy. Overall, this car makes me want Audis for the rest of my life.

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  Amazing car. - 2004 Audi A4
  By 04A4 - April 18 - 8:42 am

  I purchased my A4 back in January of this year after doing extensive research on everything from Acura, Lexus, BMW & Volvo. What truly sets this car apart is the fact it is AWD with luxury and ride comfort that I did not find in any of the above listed models. The interior styling makes the BMW 3-Series look cheap. I have never found so many compartments for storage in a vehicle like this either. The handling is amazing I drive in the catskill mountain range in southern NY and cant tell you how amazing this car handles. Ive driven it through ice & snow even at 65mph this car feels like its riding on rails. Go for a 6-speed manual to maintain a sports sedan feel. Amazing car!

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  Close to a 10 - 2008 Audi A6
  By Steve - April 15 - 9:49 pm

  My third A6 offers loads of improvements over its earlier siblings. Ride is significantly more solid. Handling is so precise its like a vacuum sucking the backtop. Engine performance is powerful and at least 10% more economical than the 3.0 in my previous 2003 A6. Views are stimulating from approaching the vehicle to behind the wheel. Several minor cost cutting steps should be noted: more narrow seats and thinner cushions than the previous models, door pockets are "cheaper," manual fuel filler door replaces and automatic release, head restrants no- longer swivel. I also miss oil temp. and volt gauges.

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  Downhill After 45K - 2002 Audi A4
  By disappointed - April 15 - 4:27 pm

  After 45K miles, my 2002 Audi A4 1.8T (now at 53K miles) began to require very expensive repairs that I never needed for other vehicles I owned with over 100k miles. I had to replace the phlange that connected the coolant system to the engine, the steering rack and pinion, the windshield/headlight washing fluid pump and motor, and the dealer says that I need to soon replace engine gaskets. I do not know much about the mechanics of cars, but from my experience, it is unusual that such major repairs would be required on a vehicle that still has relatively low mileage and is owned by someone who is very diligent with all of the routine maintenance. Wish I had purchased the extended warranty!

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  Its a rocket limo - 2008 Audi S6
  By JJ - April 15 - 11:04 am

  I bought the S6 after owning 3 Porsches. I shopped the E63 AMG, GS460, Jaguar XF and M5. The S6 is the best combo of ammenities, price, performance and looks. After driving it a while its better than I expected.

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  A car that does every thing well! - 2001 Audi A6
  By Alan Bulkeley - April 14 - 11:27 am

  If this car were a woman I would marry her. The tiptronic shifts wonderfully and in manual mode holds gears right to red line. The quattro all wheel drive is excellent in the snow and when pushing hard through a corner. The coach work is beautiful. And the engine is a gem.