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:

• 

  Love the Car - 2003 Audi A4
  By Johnny Q. - February 8 - 2:00 am

  The car in my mind, is your best buy, pound for pound.

• 

  Second owner - 2005 Audi A8
  By David - February 6 - 9:34 pm

  We needed to replace a Volvo S90 and decided to try a used A8 after looking at the new models of Volvo, the Audi A6, and the 5 series BMW. This A8 was a one owner with reasonable miles (40k). It has been an impressive auto from performance to comfort. The 19 inch wheels with low profile tires are great for handling, but with our non-aggressive driving, we will opt to go the the 17" with A/S for lower noise and less road feel. If buying used, be aware of the high cost to maintain, especially at the dealer. Aftermarket parts are not much of a savings. And all the bells and whistles could add to the cost of ownership due to maintenance.

• 

  Audi, unexpected elegence. - 2008 Audi R8
  By Logan D - February 5 - 5:32 pm

  This car is a dream come true. Everything about it is stylish and classy with a sort of dirty elegence. When I first sat in the drivers seat of this beauty and felt the leather I knew that this was beyond ordinary. With its superior handling and stream-lined body style this is truly a car to be appreciated.

• 

  Love my car - 2005 Audi S4
  By njsnowdriver - February 5 - 9:53 am

  I have to say that I really love this car. I now have 35K miles on it and it is as good as the day I bought it. When I purchased it, there wasnt an RS4 yet. Otherwise I would have bought that. But at this price point, I think it is one of the best cars in the world. Due to inclement weather I sold my previous sports cars, a BMW M3 and a Mazda RX8. While the BMW was spectacular, it just didnt work in the snow. At all. The RX8 was a dud all around. It was fun to shift, but that was it. It was slow, could not be driven in snow, and it stalled and needed to be towed constantly. The s4 is quick, handles great in snow, & is a perfect wolf in sheeps clothing. I highly recommend it.

• 

  Quattro for life - 2008 Audi A3
  By Quattro rocks. - February 4 - 10:42 pm

  Bullet fast. Sticks to the road like glue. Modern interior design. Awesome sound system. Torque and horsepower to spare. Quattro all wheel drive. This car is worth every penny, and is truly a drivers car. The A3 3.2 is a total blast to drive. Spent the better part of 1 year comparing the A3 3.2 Quattro to the IS 250 AWD, Infiniti G35, Acura TL, and the BMW 325xi. The Audi is the thinking mans BMW, whatever that means. Gas mileage not all that great, but nobody buys a 250 hp v6 for the gas mileage... you buy it for the big grin it puts on your face when you hammer the throttle. I love this car, go buy one now!

• 

  more than i expected - 2002 Audi A4
  By mr. mortgage - February 1 - 10:00 am

  bought mine 5/16/02. was also considering a jag, or bmw 3series. how ever i ended up at an audi store only to kill a few minutes. came back the next night and made a deal on the car before driving it.well anyway i picked it up the next day and im more than satisfied. i look forward to driving this car every day.the car is put together beautifully, and has all the toys anyone could want. i highly recommend this car.

• 

  Wicked Awesome Car!!! - 2002 Audi A4
  By K. - February 1 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the A4 1.8T 5M for two weeks and Im very happy with it. My first car and my first Audi. It handles really well and is great to look at. I cant wait till the snow falls to really put the Quattro to good use. The standard safety features are plentiful and the trunk space is generous. My main disappointment is the alarm...its just a beeping noise that sounds like a truck backing up. Im not convinced that it will deter a thief. The red console lighting is rather bothersome. Blue would be better, like in VWs.

• 

  Its a blast. - 2001 Audi TT
  By dpwoods - January 31 - 7:48 pm

  Purchased used just over 2 years ago, had 40K miles. I added 26K miles and only had a mass air flow sensor fail. This Quattro is great fun stock but if you have the money I highly recommend 18" rims with 235/40ZR 18 tires, cross drilled & vented rotors all around with ceramic brake pads. Also recommend perf chip and machined piston diverter valve. Now its an absolute blast to drive. Even if you dont do any of the above invest in the diverter valve, the stock part is a poor design and inefficient causing turbo lag while shifting. And for heavens sake change the timimg belt every 60K miles and at the same time change over to a water pump w/metal impeller and v-belt tensioner w/metal roller.

• 

  I love my A4 but will never buy again - 2001 Audi A4
  By Gerardo - January 31 - 12:04 pm

  I bought this car as I am a german car lover. Unfortunately ever since I owned it I have had to change timing belt, tensioner, h2o pump, o2 sensor, 2 window regulators crushed, front door speaker bursted, 1 ball joint, 1 cv joint, name it. I hope by mid 2008 I will be able to trade it!! That is a pill hard to swallow.

• 

  Move over Fun, here is the A3 - 2006 Audi A3
  By MuranoA3 - January 31 - 6:50 am

  After owning two VW GTIs, a VR6 and 1.8T i decided to jump up to the next level and get an A3. The 2.0T is amazing, more interior room and feel than the larger A4 without the added weight. The DSG is absolutely amazing and i am a huge manual tranny guy. Sitting in traffic in "D" and having the use of the paddles is so fun. Audi did an awesome job with the steering and feel of the A3, plus put versatility and economy in the same package. Torque and power delivery of the 2.0T is never-ending with no drop off in power until after 6500rpms. I mean 207lb/ft for 3000rpms YES PLEASE. Audi did a great job with this car and the sales numbers are proving it.