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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  Aways Allroad - 2005 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Scuzzy - March 3 - 9:13 pm

  Sleekly designed wagon with break neck acceleration (biTurbo). Will reach 80 mph on the highway in a flash (watch out for speed traps)! AWD keeps this beast glued to the road - especially in the rain. Every imaginable (and distractable) creature comfort exists in the cockpit. Seats are "La-Z-boy" comfortable. Red lit interior buttons at night send the coolness factor through the roof! Factory installed Bose 6 speaker sound system rocks my entire block!

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  Near-Perfect Car - 1998 Audi A6
  By BoulderSteve - March 2 - 2:33 pm

  Ive gone through quite a few cars in recent years, including VW Passat, Acura TL, Lexus ES300. This car beats all of them by far and yes, even purchased used. Strong engine, good fuel economy, go-anywhere AWD, luxurious interior (leather & real wood!) with everything at your fingertips, tiptronic transmission. I can ride in this car for hours w/o any backache.

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  1.8T Quattro - 1998 Audi A4
  By Jaxtom - March 2 - 12:56 pm

  Bought this as a "certified" used vehicle 3 years ago - a 5-speed Quattro with already-installed performance chip (recommended!). Performance and handling are great. Had a few issues after purchase but all were taken care of under warranty. Back seat is small for three - you wont haul the family comfortably over a long distance, but as a daily commuter car its great.

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  Shocked - 2003 Audi A4
  By Bishop Canter - February 26 - 9:01 pm

  Looked at C-Series, 5 Series and the Audi A4. Shocked that I had never given Audi a chance before. Hands down, much better car over. Handles like its on rails. Great driving in the winding mountain roads. Sold for life. Without a doubt, one of the best all around cars that gives the most bang for the buck. Test drive one and even the most cynical of you, will have to smile and yes, probably be shocked at how great it is as well.

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  Improved over prior model - 2005 Audi A6
  By Hohman - February 26 - 4:30 pm

  Acceleration equal to prior 2.7T without the thrill of turbo sound. Larger size of body makes for a better ride without losing great handling. I elected to avoid the sport package this time and dont regret it, much better ride without losing tight road handling and performance. Great new 6 speed automatice transmission and vastly improved navigation system.

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  Very happy after ten months - 2004 Audi A4
  By jeffjnewport - February 25 - 12:21 am

  I had the benefit of reading a bunch of reviews before buying my 2004 Audi A4 Avant, so I figured that Id add my two cents to the mix. The Audi wasnt initially on my radar screen. I was looking to spend $20,000 on a used wagon that could handle snow (which my BMW 528E could not). I was taken by the Passat Wagon, drove it, then almost sprung for a new one, but I got spooked by the aggressive discounting by local dealers, which usually means bad resale value in a few years. Then I looked closely at the Saab 9-5, BMW 3-Series, and Audi A4 wagons. Considering handling, comfort, volume, price, re-sale, the Audi blew me away. Now ten months later, I can further confirm that this is a great car.

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  very smooth - 2004 Audi A4
  By T A-G - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Awesome car. Looks and feels great.

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  Amazing Machine - 2006 Audi A4
  By levi - February 23 - 11:36 pm

  Excellent control and styling. Manual, Premium, Sports, Cold Weather, Sunroof, Tech packages. My first Audi, but not my last. Very clean interface and a pleasure to drive. If youre looking for a 0-60 straight line car this isnt it, but if you want to take a few turns after you hit 60 and above then this is your car. Took a road trip to WV just to drive some curves and the car was simply amazing. At low speeds (sub 40) it does well, but the car is in its element above 60. Test drove w/ & w/out sports suspension. Be warned its very smooth w/out it, but youll feel more of the road w/ it. Only worth getting the sports suspension if you plan on driving it hard, Im glad I have it.

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  Why Ive Owned Seven - 2003 Audi A4
  By RICHARDHABY - February 23 - 4:44 pm

  Theres is little to criticize about the 2003 Audi A4 1.8T Sedan. The turbo kicks in and is much snappier than my A6 with a V6 engine was. As you look about the cabin you find extra after extra. Instead of thinking "Why didnt the designers do it this way" you exclaim "Im glad they thought to provide that". With over 12,000 miles the only repair that I needed to make on this car was a measley brake lamp. This took the dealer about ten minutes to fix.

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  2005 Audi TT - Love It - 2005 Audi TT
  By blondie - February 23 - 3:50 pm

  My husband bought me this car (2005 Audi TT Roadster) because Ive had my eye on it for the past 5 years....drooling with every look. I always told him if he left me a widow, I would use the insurance money to buy myself a TT roadster. He finally decided rather than wish himself dead, hed rather live to see me enjoy the car! Anyway, we got our silver bullet in November 2004 and its lived up to ALL of my expectations. I am totally in love with this car (can one really love sheet metal?? YOU BET!) Its the most fun you can have driving! I love the Tiptronic tranny .. being able to choose manual or auto is da bomb!!