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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  Driving experience - 2006 Audi A3
  By frank - January 15 - 2:11 pm

  Really fun to drive, excellent comfort and the sound of the powertrain is pleasing.

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  So far so good... - 2001 Audi A6
  By dave - January 14 - 11:52 am

  Bought this used with 78k miles. Its a 2001 4.2 with sport package and all upgrades. First thing I did was do full timing belt service. Not cheap, but good insurance. Car runs great and performance is strong. Previous owner lowered 1.5", so handling is great, but ride is choppy. Hazard light unit failed shortly after buying -- a $300 fix. But with both fingers crossed, Im very pleased with the car. Around $20k invested in total now. Barring any major service, this is a good value for what you get.

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  Expensive to Fix: But to be expected - 1998 Audi A4
  By COOQUACK - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought my A4 used: My first used car in many years. I love the car, but it certainly can be pricey in repair bills. In the last several months I have replaced 2 ball barrings and a leaking seal - spilling oil into both the upper and lower pans (in total costing almost 2 grand.) Now, I need new brakes (something the Audi dealer instisted I didnt need) and I recently started having a problem with the emmisions. It certainly isnt my last car (Accord EX), which I bought new, put 60,000 miles on, and never replaced a thing on(except wipers and tires.) BUT, I STILL LOVE MY AUDI. Its performace and handling outweigh the mechanical hassels (so far...)

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  A few reservations - 2006 Audi A4
  By JSL1 - January 14 - 1:33 am

  The A4, while fun to drive, leaves some reservations. There is a noticeable hesitation when starting from zero. Consumer Reports mentions this. The 4-cyl. turbo, while powerful with a nice, occasionally pleasant burble, is, at times coarse. Also noticed by CR. The sound quality of the audio system is just good, not up to the sound in our 99 A6. But the comfort and convenience, the surprising torque, the sheer joy of taking turns faster than you really should while the A4 clings firmly to the asphalt is thrilling.

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  Love Hate Typical Euro - 1998 Audi A4
  By DrivingEnthusiast - January 13 - 3:03 pm

  Loved the car. Quattro, V6, manual - everything I wanted in an automobile. Unfortunately, I owned a Honda and a Toyota before my A4. Audi is totally performance oriented and cares nothing about vehicle life after the 50k warranty. The following were replaced from 70k to 110k: tie rods, suspension components, electronic controls, wheel bearings, and ABS sensor. There was a lifter tick for the last 10k miles so Im sure something else was about to fail. Timing belt change job cost $1400 at 90k. I kept great care of this car and it kept breaking. I dont care how great Quattro was Ill never go back to Audi/VW.

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  2008 Audi A6 - 2008 Audi A6
  By Gary - January 12 - 8:27 pm

  Driving dynamics are brilliant. The car rides like a train on the rails. There is no slipping nor sliding. Quattro system makes sure of that. Every mechanical component works in total harmony with each other. The interior appointments must be an envy of every other automaker. From the incredible ergonomics to the impeccable attention to the slightest details, this car clearly is a winner.

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  Big disapointment - 2007 Audi S8
  By mark stamm - January 10 - 6:02 pm

  I bought my S8 because I believed it would be a fun-to-drive, relatively light weight fast sedan. It has ponderous handling, shifts erratically, and is full of insanely complicated, useless electronics. The suspension lowers itself after parking, so that the car has to be parked rear-end-first so the front doesnt hang up on the curb. I tried to give it back the 2nd day I had it, but Audi refused, as S8s are special order.

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  Nice but UGLY - 2006 Audi A3
  By Me - January 10 - 4:00 pm

  I test drove the new A3. It was very responsive and quick. No noticeable turbo lag which is common in most turbo cars. The interior was well designed but it is an ugly car on the outside. It looks like an oversized VW GTI. If they kept it the same size as the GTI it wouldnt be as ugly. It shouldve been aborted in the design stage.

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  Sloppy transmission - 2008 Audi TT
  By ls - January 9 - 6:39 pm

  I have had some problems with my AUTOMATIC transmission. When I am stopped on a hill and then try to go, the car rolls backward like I have a manual transmission. There does not seem to be a hill-holder feature. What is maddening, is that this only happens occasionally. I must put my foot on the brake AND gas to keep from hitting the car behind me. When I reported the problem to the dealership, they said it was a normal characteristic of the car. Also, the car rolls backward an inch, or so, when I put it in park on a hill. The transmission seems loose, or sloppy. My dealership can find nothing wrong. I cant believe this is a NORMAL characteristic of the car.

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  outstanding drop top - 2003 Audi A4
  By footloose - January 9 - 10:00 am

  Audi has built an outstanding vehicle which is every inch a performance car as well. Fun to drive,good stlying and lots of innovations. So far we have enjoyed every mile we driven this Audi!!