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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  Not very good service - 2005 Audi A6
  By Deb - February 25 - 11:15 am

  In 3 years this car has not had any big issues until recently. Since the dealer replaced a recall part of a fuel filter or pump, the car periodically does not start. Eventually it does (I havent had to be towed yet). It has been in repair regularly since October and they say it is not replicating what I describe. After several attempts at this, the dealer now has called in a special engineer to work on my car. I am now driving a low budget A4 loaner as the dealer still has my car and has not returned any of my calls. Audi USA service is just as unresponsive and very robotic with all of their responses. They are of no help.

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  ALLROAD - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By JCrow - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Station wagons are cool again...its hard to be cool with two booster seats in back, but this car helps. This car is fun to drive(6 spd), has a beautiful interior, and has an impressive list of safety features. After owning a car for 8 mos. I am usually starting to think about whats next, but I would buy the Allroad again today in a heartbeat

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  This is a great car. - 2003 Audi A4
  By JHBTN - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Buying the A4 is the best thing I have done in a long time. I almost bought another Saab 9-3, but the deal I got from the dealer made me go for the A4. I dont regret my decision one bit. The car is smooth in ride and performance. You can do almost anything in this car. Wow. Driving to work is actually fun.

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  Certified 2006 - 2006 Audi A4
  By R8deeo - February 22 - 9:53 pm

  I picked up a 2006 A4 2.0T with all the bells and whistles and I love it. It handles wonderfully, it wants to be driven fast and in tight spots. I have wanted an A4 since the 2005.5 was introduced. The style and comfort make me smile everytime! I finally enjoy driving everyday. I will never drive a two wheel drive vehicle again (I live in Michigan).

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  My Dream Car! - 2008 Audi TT
  By Philj - February 22 - 1:46 pm

  Had my TT for 1 week and loving it! Fully loaded excl. nav and mag. ride. Was considering an 04/05 but then saw the 08 and it was all over. I test drove the 2.0 but decided on the 3.2 due to power and Quattro - I expect to keep this car for a long time.

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  Stay away from this model - 2000 Audi A6
  By bullcell - February 21 - 3:59 pm

  Problems included: (first two within 3 months of warranty expiration) 1. electronic window malfunction 2. LED dashboard diplay went out 3. Broken plastic in console lid, cup holders, & seat levers 4. Bad CVC joints and suspension assemblies 5. Broken camshaft & blown motor at 84000 miles (no hard driving & well maintained).

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  not my parents wagon - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Haz - February 20 - 10:00 am

  Shopped wagons for new family but still love to drive. Tested Passats, Volvo XC, Saab, BMW 3 & X5, Audi A6. All good cars but 2003 allroad really stood out. Looks cool, great build quality, perfect utility, spacious, top comforts, quick and fast. Turbo puts your head back and no lag with manual. Handling softer than our A4 – wider steering, longer shifter throws, occ tire give in fast corners – but still always a hoot. For a wagon it dazzles. We actually use variable susp (low hghwy, high city) with very different drive feel. More money than runner-up Passat but way more fun.

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  Beautiful Torture Chamber - 2003 Audi A4
  By Mason Jones - February 20 - 10:00 am

  This car is the most beautiful sedan out there, far surpassing a plain 3 series BMW. However, the ride is made uncomfortable by several things. I traded a 2000 A4 and the seat on my new Audi is 3 inches narrower and quite bit harder foam. The console is too wide and I hit my knee on it constantly. Many people comment on this bothersome flaw. The ride is extremely harsh and vibrating over small bumps and yet bouncy as a 1970 Buick over large dips. I do not have the sport suspension but I drove it and it could find bumps to crash over on the surface of glass. The speed to 60 mph is just as fast with the 1.8. Save your money and go for the turbo.

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  looks,quality,surefooted, but no go! - 2003 Audi A4
  By srivet - February 20 - 10:00 am

  When we got the A4 avant for my wife a year ago,we knew the car was a beauty,and we suspected great built quality,and we got it. What we did not know is that the 1.8turbo matched to the 5 speed auto is almost slow,noisy at high rpms,and very thirsty for so few inches. Why offer this combo to such unsuspecting public?I know the torque is excellent and that there is almost no turbo lag,but pleeeeaaase, at 37 grands out the door,we deserve better performance!. Apart from that,it is very comfortable,handles beautifully, and a very pleasant place to spend time in ,unless you are going up a slope,fully loaded,with the dog in the back.

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  Best all around - 2009 Audi A4
  By Andreas - February 19 - 1:56 am

  The new A4 is an all around excellent auto. It surpasses all others in its class and then some. Wheelbase is similar to the MBenz E-class. Style is literally a jaw dropper. Acceleration 0-60 is better than my 225hp TT which was 6.3 sec. Im guessing the A4 3.2 quattro is similar to the A5 3.2 rating of 5.8sec 0-60, not the 6.3 posted on the Audi website. The exhaust sound is deep and throaty. Braking is quick with minimal nose dive. The best feature is the steering feel. Its very light and nimble. Interior and exterior finish quality is top notch. I test drove this car at Infineon raceway a few months ago and couldnt wait for its arrival. A well equipped A4 3.2 quattro for $40k, what a deal!