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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  All Weather Ripper - 2004 Audi S4
  By The Colonel - October 3 - 3:27 pm

  Beat you on the track or on the way to Squaw Valley. Great for Urban driving as well as interstate cruises and backroad burning. Only design flaw: Failure of interior light dimmer to work sufficiently!

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  Luxury Speedster - 2006 Audi S4
  By Eugene - October 1 - 12:43 pm

  Awesome car! Performance, styling and comfort make this car so much better then the previous S4.

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  My 4th Audi - 2006 Audi A4
  By ArthurG22 - October 1 - 3:30 am

  This is my 4th A4. It is by far the best of the lot. Even though the engine only went from 1.8 to 2.0 liters, the performance seemed to increase by a much larger percentage. The acceleration is excellent. The change to the 6 speed transmission is a great feature. The upshifts are seamless and there are no discernible shifting lags. The GPS is easy to use and not difficult to learn. My last Audi A4 was good, this one IS GREAT.

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  the bomb - 2006 Audi A6
  By silveray - September 30 - 6:25 pm

  Love it, I really love this car the style, the ride and the overall performance of the car sets it apart from all other car in its price range. This car could cost far more and be well worth it.

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  Fun Car - 2016 Audi Q5
  By Robert Stone - September 29 - 3:25 am

  This car is very comfortable and a pleasure to drive. Plenty of front seat legroom. This car has the Technology Package as well. Information/Entertainment center takes some study to learn. Can be difficult when driving. This is a fun SUV to drive after driving a MB CLK350 for the past 5 years.

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  drive it all day all year - 2006 Audi TT
  By max - September 29 - 2:15 am

  I own two of these, one for me and one for the wife. This is simply a great car. Fun to drive, quick, fast and very agile. Enough room to drive in comfort and enough power to do it quickly. Top speed of 150 mph is just a blast. Everything is in the right place and it all works like a truly well built machine. Not a c4s cab or a db9, which I also own, but a seriously fun everyday driver.

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  Solid, safe and a blast! - 1999 Audi A4
  By JJ - September 27 - 10:09 pm

  This car has been better than my Honda ever was and a hell of a lot more fun. Yes a wheel bearing went south at 77k but this is no big deal to me. Almost all cars need timing belts replaced and so am not taking points away because of this. My Accord felt like a tin can flexing its way down the street. I now press into turns rather than slow down as other require.

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  Buy one pre owned - 2001 Audi A6
  By Jeff - September 27 - 12:42 pm

  I purchased my A6 4.2 from an Audi dealership, If there are any reliability issues I am going to assume they are already taken care of, the car is quick, fun to drive and is not afraid in bad weather even with 300 ponies going to the ground (thank you quattro) my best advice, see if they have service records on the car you wish to purchase, and ask them what was done to the car before they put in on the lot. The dealership I bought mine from spent about 1800 dollars in the shop correcting a few problems associated with most Audis. I have owned a lot of cars, this one is fun and a great value for a luxury sedan (thousands less than BMW or Mercedes)

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  allroad...allright! - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Scott Z - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This is one beautiful car. The interior is outstandingly elegant and practical. The 2.7 is a sweet engine, but the turbo lag does take some getting use to. Build quality is very good to excellent, but does not equal the Japanese hi-qual cars. Its a delight to drive under all weather conditions. The styling has it all over the boxey Volvo wagon IMHO! The car doesnt need a V-8, even though one is now available. An upgraded chip for the V-6 adds another 65 hp! Fuel economy is not great, but the range with the 18.5 gallon tank is still good at 350 miles. The adjustable height suspension is a nice feature.

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  3.0 is MINT! - 2003 Audi A4
  By FON - September 26 - 10:00 am

  A magnificent ride that starts to break- in around 3500 miles. Responsive engine and transmission make you feel as if you are one with the car. The most enjoyable driving experience one could ever hope for!