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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  Would do it again..despite roof problems - 2004 Audi A4
  By kc - February 22 - 8:32 pm

  I wanted a fast fun car for a reasonable price and got it. Had serious issues with the convertible top not working and it took SIX WEEKS during the Indian Summer for the dealer to fix it (more of an issue of the dealers inability to fix a problem properly). Other than that issue, everything else has been great with the car. I have the sports package which Id forget if I did it all over again (too many potholes and bumpy roads in the metropolitan area). At the end of the day, I do have to say that I still love this car.

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  Was Skeptical but now a Fan - 2006 Audi A3
  By Bob - February 22 - 1:53 pm

  Wanted to get rid of my SUV while I still could. Heard about A3, drove it and its quite a car. Try going out on the highway and letting it fly - no other experience like it.

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  Excellent Sporty Choice - 2006 Audi A3
  By TazerVP - February 22 - 12:17 pm

  If youre looking at the Volkswagen or the WRX, take a look at the Audi. The DSG is a blast to drive, with the paddle shifting responding quickly. Comfort is sweet in the front, almost like sitting on cardboard boxes in the back, not good.

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  Great Fun, But Mileage Claims? - 2006 Audi A3
  By bowfng - February 22 - 2:28 am

  I just got a new manual transmission A3 2.0T with premium package, open sky and bose/NAV system. Lots of fun to drive and nice power. However those mileage claims 24/32 mpg seem awfully fishy. Just did my second fill up and I barely squeaked out 17.5 mpg in city driving. What gives?

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  The Best Luxury Car Ever! - 2006 Audi A8
  By Robert - February 21 - 7:07 pm

  I have owned several luxury cars in the past few years. I just finished my 2nd lease of a Lexus LS430. This time around I was looking for something a little more exciting to drive but did not want to give up the ride quality and quietness I had grown used to. I also wanted a car that handled much better. A friend suggested the A8L. I am so thankful he did. This is the best luxury car I have ever owned! The handling superb and the fit and finish of the interior and quality of materials is far better than the LS 430 I just turned in. For those out there looking for a great luxury car listen to me The Audi A8L is the car you want no questions asked! (And free maintenance is wonderful!)

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  A3 3.2 - 2006 Audi A3
  By JamesM - February 21 - 12:47 pm

  Performance is excellent from the high torque V6 and efficient DSG transmission. The DSG and drive by wire programming require a small amount of technique adjustment for smooth take off. This seems to have improved considerably over a few miles of use and may be driver as well as auto break in. The handling and braking are also excellent. The ride is a bit stiff with the sport suspension but has also improved with just a few miles. It is definitely a better compromise for us over the floaty ride of our previous vehicle. We placed a high priority on AWD which is only available in the 3.2.

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  You have to get one of these. - 2006 Audi A3
  By 0cean - February 21 - 5:29 am

  I would not trade my A3 for anything but another A3. I am sold. The car is perfect. Performance is great! 200 HP is plenty of power to get around traffic. And if you need a little more, chip it to get 250-260 HP. The interior is smartly designed and very clean. Standard leather is what really sets the interior from other cars. A little touch of class and sportiness. There is nothing wrong with this well built car.

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  The shortest 5 hour drive of my life - 2006 Audi A6
  By Sean - February 20 - 6:04 pm

  I bought my A6 after extensive web, book and test drive research. I am a big guy, who has always bought cars that fit my appetite for sport and luxury. The A6 has exceeded my expectations and after Mercedes and BMW and Lexus were given their fair shot amongst others, I bought my 4.2 while visiting my brother in law who lives 5 hours away. By the time I arrived home I had mastered the MMI, Satellite Radio and Navigation systems, and was let down when I actually was at the end of my trip. I have never found a car so ergonomically sound, practical, powerful, and energizing, while pampering you all at the same time.

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  The most fun Luxury Entry Sports Sedan - 2005 Audi A4
  By rferni - February 20 - 12:51 am

  Having driven all of the competitors, the Audi A4 2.0T Quattro was by far my easiest choice to date. Awesome driving dynamics and comfort combined make it the most fun to drive. Shes been through 100 Mph, 100 mile non-stop drives at 107F and a 70 Mph drive through a raging mid-west blizzard -- couldnt tell the difference. Combine this with top-notch reliability -- never had a single issue with her in a year now.

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  Audi A3 auto - 2006 Audi A3
  By retfalvi - February 19 - 10:35 pm

  I ended up buying this car based on a testdrive of another A3. Be careful, My actual car had chronic hesitation with ignition, and even with the software update was rather sluggish. Would buy this car again, if I had the option to testdrive the actual car offered. Remember your trade-in value with this car is less than you would expect at any time.