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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  Best Audi Ive owned - 2005 Audi A6
  By David Leen - September 13 - 7:00 pm

  This is by far the best Audi Ive owned It handles great,beautiful interior and exterior and just a fun car to drive. Bravo Audi!

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  Mean design, not so mean performance - 2000 Audi TT
  By discjedi - September 13 - 1:09 pm

  When I first took this car out, I was a little disappointed by its lack of pep. Supposedly this car has the same engine that they put into the VW GTI that year, the same GTI that my friend has. My friends GTI definitely had more go-power, especially in 3rd gear. This car lacked that "mean" mentality even after dropping down from 4th to 3rd to get that extra rev boost. After coming off of a Honda Prelude, shifting seemed a bit sticky and lacked smooth transitions from 1st to 2nd especially. The cars handling was phenomenal even on wet roads and felt glued to the ground the entire way. I love this car because of its head-turning design, handling and ability to amuse!

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  The Beast - 2008 Audi A6
  By Marcus - September 12 - 10:13 am

  With this car I am fully in control and it grabs the ground like an ice pick to ice, the growl of the engine just makes you wanna go faster and faster, this car is by far better than any BMW out there, with its AWD platform you can make curves like they were straight lines.

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  Mighty Little Hatchback - 2006 Audi A3
  By drobpga - September 11 - 9:17 pm

  I recently purchased an A3, 2.0T with the intention of having a daily driver that offered economy as well as reliability. My immediate impression once I climbed into the well fitted interior was that this was a drivers cockpit. As I pressed the little vehicle I soon lost sight of the mundane purpose and started focusing on how incredibly fun this car was to drive. I must confess with a stable of alternatives I often find myself firing up the little Hatchback as a prefered choice. Imagine that! This vehicle hits the bullseye like Willy Tell. Compare this vehicle to anything available in this meager price range and you would be hard pressed to find such a tightly wound package.

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  Great Car So Far - 2008 Audi A4
  By Nick - September 10 - 1:23 pm

  Ive only had it for 3 days, but I love it so far. Good performance for the engine size and handles great. I was torn between getting a pure sports car or pure luxury car, but the A4 has enough of both to please me. The Sport setting on the auto transmission is great for playing around, but sucks the gas too much for day to day driving. I also cant wait for some snow to test the AWD out.

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  avant quattro - 1998 Audi A4
  By audiguy - September 7 - 2:00 am

  geat car, wish it was thrifty with gas. 6 cyl is smooth, but not fast off the line.

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  Not for long commutes - 2002 Audi A4
  By AO - September 6 - 11:11 am

  This car is cute and fun. But dont drive it too much. By 2007, with all the repairs weve already done and those still coming up, this car has depreciated like a rock and were left holding the bag, wondering when our next $2,000 repair bill will come up. The overcomplicated German design leaves even the smallest repairs costing more than they should, and the benefit - our cute car - has been blackened by our repair bills.

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  Can You Say Slot Car? - 2008 Audi A4
  By Drifter - September 5 - 8:16 pm

  Just picked up a new 08 A4 2.0T Quattro with Sport Suspension. (Previously drove an 06 A4 CVT front wheel drive.) After driving the front wheel drive Audi for 2 years (and really liking the way it handled), I was amazed with the Quattros road handling prowess! On the way home from the dealer, I was on the freeway and naturally fiddling with the stereo adjustments and didnt notice that I was approaching a sharp curve to the left while making a transition from one highway to another. I entered the corner at about 65 (40 advised) and started to go for the brake, but as I turned the wheel, the car simply took the corner like it was on a rail. I kid you not!

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  I love my Audi! - 2007 Audi A4
  By Judi - September 5 - 6:39 pm

  Have had a number of German autos, our other car is a Porsche C4S and I bought the Audi as a utility vehicle and so far we are extremely pleased with the quality and performance of the car. Have also had BMWs in the past, the Audi is equal or better in all aspects and would recommend it to anyone that is looking for a wagon for the utility benefit but still wants the style and luxury of a great German car!

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  An amazing car to drive! - 2007 Audi A4
  By None - September 5 - 4:43 pm

  I love my new Audi. It is really fun to drive and very comfortable. I also feel that it is a very safe vehicle for me and my family. I love the in-dash 6 disk changer and the body style of it. When I drive past people they know that the looks impressive.