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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  Awesome Car - 2007 Audi A8
  By Brian Luedtke - January 27 - 4:40 am

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  tight ride - 2006 Audi A6
  By linco - January 25 - 6:36 pm

  This Audi is refined yet subtle. Those around you cannot appreciate this cars ability. Wolf in sheeps sheet metal.

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  Excellent car! - 2004 Audi A4
  By kchao2000 - January 25 - 2:00 am

  The Quattro performance in wet and snow conditions are excellent. The conner handling is pretty good as well.

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  Ds S4 - 1994 Audi S4
  By Dcasanovas - January 24 - 11:46 am

  I have owned my pearl white 94 S4 for two years now and couldnt be happier. Prior I had owned a black 94 S4 which I also loved and I believe was instrumental to my survival of a serious accident. Based on that, I purchased my current S4. It is fun to drive, comfortable and, for a turbo charged car offers great gas mileage (I have gotten 500 miles/tank on long distance- highway drives). While my vehicle currently has 191,000 miles (it is my daily driver) and I realize I will need to purchase something newer at some point I will never get rid of this car.

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  Cost of Disappointment - 1999 Audi A8
  By Blair - January 22 - 1:35 am

  This car, while I love the styling and driving it, is the largest disappointment I have ever had in a car. In the 19 months or so that I have had the car, I have had over $12K in repairs in the car. Between depreciation and cost of repairs, the car has cost me nearly $2K a month to drive, not including gas and insurance. I could have gotten a new BMW if I had wanted to pay that kind of money each month. The transmission went out on the car at 92K miles and it is $5500 to replace through Audi. Nothing from Audi has more than a 12 month/12K mile warrantee. That is pitiful considering the cost and that there are no other replacements.

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  Great But... - 2006 Audi A8
  By BillyJo - January 22 - 1:06 am

  For some reason I felt it was time to replace my 01 BMW 740iL which I consider to be one of the best looking cars ever. New 7 series did not appeal much to me. My A8L has significant blind spot when changing lanes in heavy traffic. I enjoy the technology and the MMI offers many useful functions but I often take my eyes off the road to operate. Voice command and steering wheel buttons help a bit. Changing radio stations is cumbersome. The Nav is not as complete as my BMW. It often gets me to a street but not to exact location. The new grill adds distinction but previous looked better to me. Minor complaints only. Car is comfortable and enjoyable to drive. The interior really is beautiful.

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  Solid - Tremendous - Worthy - 2004 Audi A4
  By CMAC - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Extremely pleased. Took delivery of the A404 in Oct 03. My first new car, from NYC where my car was the 8th Ave A train - big improvement. Superbly appointed interior. Audi overlooks nothing - slow release overhead door handles, gradual dome light dimmer, back seat HVAC vents, subtly lit door handles and ashtrays, ambient light over the center console. Sound system a bell from Mozart to Metallica. Truck and glove have huge appetite. Engine pep is there when you need it regardless of the lag aforementioned in previous reviews - great deep roar when you key the ignition makes you feel good every morning. Treat yourself and your passengers.

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  Fun but Unreliable - 1998 Audi A4
  By Noel - January 20 - 8:51 pm

  I bought my A4 with 58,000 miles on it in Jan 2001 and as of Jan 2006 have 137,000 miles on it. The car handles very well and the low end power is very good. My car is completely stock (No mods) and has still been the least reliable car I have ever owned. Here is a partial list, waterpump(2), power steering rack, spark plug coils, numerous front suspension arms and tie rods, wheel bearings, various leaks (Diff fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, oil), various electrical problems/switches. It was been a fun and expensive 5 years of ownership, but when it comes time to buy again, I will probably not buy another Audi.

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  Audis TSX - 2006 Audi A3
  By A3owner - January 20 - 12:26 pm

  Feels a lot like "luxury" Golf, and that is a very good thing! A3 may not perform as well as as the VW Golf, but its just as fun to drive. This is one of those cars where you can take it work on a weekday, and race it on the weekends!

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  Looks Looks Looks !!! - 2001 Audi TT
  By Genco - January 19 - 7:14 pm

  I purchased this car about 6 months ago Certified Used and i LOVE it ! The best part is that you are driving a car that is great looking and very rare so people look at you and your car and they dont know what kind it is and admire. Superb handling, good performance (not an M3), do 100 mph and you wont notice it.