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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  Amazing - 1997 Audi A4
  By what a car! - December 21 - 1:46 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned. Driving it is a dream. The 5 speed manual is like butter. The acceleration in good, but wont snap any necks. Handling is amazing. The quattro is a masterpiece. Living in Colorado, all wheel drive is important, and I have never slipped on ice once. These cars dont hold their value well because of reliability concerns, but they are an absolute bargain. The only problem Ive had is the air sensor ($350), which is basically routine maintenance. If something does go wrong, it can be costly though because some parts are only available through audi. This car gives the performance and comfort a of a car 3 times its price and is still way ahead of its time

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  Money pit - 1999 Audi A4
  By ms - December 18 - 5:51 pm

  This is a rich mans car. I have spent more money in repairs and maintenance than on the car itself. ($2,300 in costs to pass emissions test.) I am at the garage every other month with a new problem. Do yourself and your wallet a favor and avoid this car.

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  2006 A6 Avant Impressions - 2006 Audi A6
  By Northeast - December 18 - 12:58 am

  Ive had the 2006 Avant for 3 months now and its a great car. I live in the Northeast and the car sticks to bad road conditions like glue. Styling is more masculine than past Audi models, but the interior is top-rate. I spent months deciding between the BMW 530xi wagon and the A6 and did back-to-back test drives three times. The Audi is in a different class than the BMW. The 6cyl is plenty powerful, and my last car was a 2001 BMW 740il. Gas mileage has been stellar, and the MMI interface is far more user friendly than the BMW. For Options I suggest the sport seats, technology package, and the navigation. I had to get the 17" wheels and the sport shifters but would have preferred 18" tires

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  Mid Life Crisis - 2003 Audi A4
  By greg mitchell - December 17 - 6:46 pm

  I drive frequently back and forth to a remote office, a four hundred round mile trip. 100 miles is secondary, the rest is highway. I have enjoyed the car immensely. I am 6-1 and have plenty of legroom. The manual transmission is silky smooth and the handling superb. I have averaged 22 mpg over 52k miles with 93 octane. I enjoy the manual shift acceleration. I am sure I could squeak out a couple of more mpg if I took it a little easier. I put snow tires on and have had no problems traveling in a few pretty good snow storms. Only mechanical problem was a bad A/C compressor at 20k. Definitely the funnest car I have owned.

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  More money - more car - 2005 Audi A6
  By swifty - December 17 - 11:17 am

  Going from a 2002 A6 to a 2005 induces sticker shock. The sticker shock is over quickly, but the fun remains. The car has a bigger feel than the 2002, but the handling is better. The navigation system is terrific if you take the time to learn it and keep at it. But be careful not to get preoccupied with the nav system and forget about driving - it is easy to forget to keep your eyes on the road and not the screen. Acceleration is much better than the previous 3.0 - ride is much stiffer now - great "feel" for the road, but the passengers will have to acclimate if they are accustomed to a soft ride. Large trunk - smaller opening than the 2002. A great car that is fun to drive.

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  Get an Audi 1.8T quattro sport! - 1999 Audi A4
  By dkletter - December 16 - 7:34 pm

  Very fun to drive! I got an average of 33 mpg when on a long freeway drive! Great car for the money!

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  Top notch - 2006 Audi A6
  By Murray Martini - December 14 - 11:58 pm

  Picked up my 3.2 A6 last week and my oh my, is this a beautiful car or what! Mine is fully loaded with all options and the S-Line package. The interior is top notch quality. Performance is very good especially in sports mode, the car feels very preppy and fun to drive. All in all, 10 out of 10 overall.

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  BYE BYE BMW! - 2006 Audi A8
  By Gregory - December 13 - 12:59 pm

  I have owned two BMWs (740il & 745li) I was accused of having an affair with my female BMW service advisor as I was visiting her every month with problems with my BMW. I finally said enough is enough and went to Audi and test drove the 2006 A8L. WOW!! What a vehicle. Not only has this car been wonderful to drive, the technology, using the MMI system is much easier to use then BMWs Idrive. I agree with the earlier review about the cup holders. They are small, and not well positioned. Every other aspect of the vehicle has surpassed my expectations!

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  New A3 DSG owner in Austin - 2006 Audi A3
  By Kev in Austin - December 12 - 4:56 pm

  Just purchased an 06 A3 DSG with Sport, Bose, Xenons, Open Sky. Initial thoughts (<1 week) very good. Worried Id pay too much for too little car. Not so-its a BARGAIN. Great power, smooth engine. Very solid/quiet on the highway (~80). Suspension is definitely sport oriented and is slightly busier than I expected. Not harsh, but you do feel minor road imperfections. Handling excellent, very little body roll. Steering effort nice and firm - perhaps too artifically so at speed and too light at low speeds. Nitpicking. Engine sounds slightly dieselish at idle. Exhaust "blats" during upshifts, some may deem annoying. Seats are fantastic with the sport package (Im 61", 215lbs). Quality car.

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  Saved My Life - 2006 Audi A6
  By Deb - December 12 - 3:41 pm

  The way this vehicle was constructed saved me from even a scratch in a major accident. The only drawback for buying an Audi, as some of you may already know, is the delay in getting parts. Be prepared to wait an extraordinary amount of time (it took 3 months to get in the navigation system I ordered in June) to get parts. They are beautiful cars, constructed to take care of the passengers in an accident. Sporty ride yet smooth touring performance.