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:

• 

  Best Buy! - 2005 Audi S4
  By Michael - December 28 - 2:41 am

  What a great car? Between this S4, the Mercedes C55 AMG, and BMW M3, the S4 is clearly the best. It goes 0-60 in just over 5 seconds, but the best feature is by far its stellar handling. The Quattro delivers perfection around every turn: there is NO NEED to brake! The interior is also very stylish and quite comfortable, while the exterior maintains the look of a sporty vehicle. Everything is very ergonical (easy to use) from the radio to the tiptronic transmission (which is VERY smooth). The trunk is quite large for its class and can easily hold several golf bags or pieces of luggage. I love everything about this car from the most minute detail to the 340 HP V8 beast under the hood! A++++++!

• 

  Affordable Luxury - 1998 Audi A6
  By Mark D - December 27 - 1:30 pm

  I purchased my 1998 Audi A6 pre-owned with 85,000 miles on it. I read lots of reviews before purchasing and was concerned with reliability issues. However, after a test drive I fell in love with the A6 and bought it anyway. Now a year and 28,000 miles later Im still very pleased with the car.

• 

  German cars are expensive but in my experience reliable if cared for properly as with any car - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By content4evr - December 26 - 3:56 am

  Ive owned my 2004 Audi Allroad 2.7T V6 automatic for 7 years. Still enjoy getting myself behind the wheel each morning. Given the fact Ive pampered the vehicle in a garage for all this time and brought it in for routine maintenance religiously using nothing but synthetic oils, this vehicle has returned the favor by giving me reliable service and performance for 135k and counting. When the time comes to swtich to a new car I have no idea what Im going to do. This car is the perfect blend of German performance, design, luxury, all-weather ruggedness, space and utilitarian conveniences. Cant think of another vehicle in todays market that blend these qualities as well as the Allroad!

• 

  NYTimes A8L Opinion - 2004 Audi A8
  By LTomN - December 25 - 1:10 am

  This is an awsome car from every aspect. The engine is fearsome, the exterior wonderful and the interior handsome beyond compare. The ride is akin to going down the road in your living room with total feel of the road. The only drawback is the police that find your control outside of their interpretation of the law. The controls are all so easy to understand and use I cant conceive of preferring the complicated BMW or Mercedes. In a nutshell it is fantastic!

• 

  Ricks Review - 2002 Audi A4
  By Kerrrichard - December 24 - 10:00 am

  This is my second A4. In two years Ill most likely be on my third...

• 

  2001 Audi TT - Great Car - 2001 Audi TT
  By RTK TT - December 24 - 2:19 am

  I have received tons of compliments on my 2001 Audi TT 225 quattro since I first purchased it. This car is four years old now and I still get looks in it. It delivers great performance with its 225HP twin intercooled turbo, 5V per cyl engine. Witrh the all wheel drive, it has it all.

• 

  Best Christmas Present I have Ever Had - 2004 Audi S4
  By Duggers - December 23 - 10:56 pm

  I have not stopped smiling for 5 days since I purchased my 2005 S4. This car has everything I have ever dreamed of in terms of style , gadgets , comfort & power. Traded my BMW and would not go back for any amount of money. If you are in the market for a performance car you would be a fool if you didnt try the S4. Gas Mileage I can see is going to be low but with the power pack returning 340 bhp who cares. Drive it youll love it

• 

  Owned it for seven years and counting - 1998 Audi A4
  By Franz Meuggers - December 22 - 11:28 am

  We bought our 1998 Audi A4 2.8 new and have really enjoyed it. Despite the four doors and rear seats, the car is really made for two adults. Our reliability has been very good, though the car is maintenance intensive with brakes and suspension parts. The multi-link suspension works great on the road, but at about 60,000 the arms start to rattle and require replacement. The car has had its share of electrical glitches, but nearly all of these appeared and were corrected while still under Audis excellent warranty program. The quattro makes the car one of the best choice for Maine. Will trade in the next year or so for another A4 or maybe trade up to an A6.

• 

  Awesome Car that needs very little - 2004 Audi TT
  By MTJ1117 - December 21 - 11:41 pm

  I have had my 3.2 TT DSG for about 6 months now. It is an excellent vehicle both in design and function. A thrill to drive everyday. Great handling characteristics with the quattro system. The DSG and the 3.2 coupled together works smoothly in conjunction with each other matching speed to the revs of the engine for no jerking motions as in a normal stick shift. Nothing like feeling the car might be out of position in the corner and knowing you need to give it more gas and not braking to pull thru it.

• 

  A smooth ride for the 2005 Audi A8L - 2005 Audi A8
  By Tom Lotz - December 21 - 9:54 pm

  My 2005 Audi A8L drives like a dream. It is a substantial upgrade from my old Lexus in terms of its driving characteristics. The MMI was easy to use. I have nothing but good things to say about the car.