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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  The Whole Package - 2003 Audi A4
  By atla4 - August 31 - 2:00 am

  This car has everything that you could want in a car except for maybe a little more horsepower and if you dont mind spending a couple hundred more bucks you can buy a chip that increases the turbo output. Handling is excellent. The interior is immaculate. I get stares all the time.

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  German Gem - 1994 Audi S4
  By S4 guy - August 30 - 1:36 am

  A great performance/luxury car thats a steal at the values it can be bought at now. Quattro never ceases to amaze me, even in the dead of Canadian winters. (4 wheel drifts in the snow are a lot of fun too!) Overall its been a wonderful car.

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  Audi A8 - 2000 Audi A8
  By R Swanson - August 29 - 7:21 pm

  Best car I have ever driven. This car is glued to the road. Shines at speeds above 85 mph. Very comfortable long distace cruiser. Exceptional on slippery surfaces.

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  45000 miles in FIVE months! - 2000 Audi A6
  By Bobby - August 28 - 10:56 pm

  I bought my pearl white A6 in February of this year with 67,000 miles and I should be breaking the 90,000 mile mark before the end of this month (Aug). Aside from two pretty costly repairs: ABS controller and Thermostat replacement Im delighted with this vehicle and cant wait to let this Quattro loose in the ice and snow in a few more months. Thats is what the world-renowned "Quattro" AWD was engineered to do and a superior job it has done, to say the least. Keep all four turning, everyone!

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  Excellent Audi - 2005 Audi A4
  By CarMan - August 28 - 4:37 pm

  This is a truly splendid car to drive. The turbo-lag takes a while to get used to, but it has ample power and torque. The build quality, interior design and instrumentation are superb.The road-holding is very good: a firm, sure-footed ride. The backup (I have had one minor problem) has been exemplary. I strongly recommend the Audi. It might not have the glitz appeal of the BMW, but it make up for it with its solidness. Remember to compare this particular model with the BMW 320i or with the Mercedes C200 - not with the BMW 230i or Mercedes C240.

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  2005 Audi A6 4.2 - 2005 Audi A6
  By gwagnerli - August 28 - 9:55 am

  Took delivery of 2005 A6 4.2 last fall. To date, there has not been one problem. The sport suspension is quite stiff with the 40 series tires. The engine is strong. My mileage is a mixture of highway city averages about 22 MPG every week.

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  Buy this car. - 2002 Audi A4
  By Michael - August 26 - 4:38 pm

  I had to make a new car purchase quickly after my car got totaled. I was looking at Infinitis and Acuras, when I cam across the A4 by accident. In short, its a great car that is fun to drive, looks great, and does everything it needs to (transport people, stuff, whatever). The turbo hurts fuel efficiency, but not terribly. Otherwise, I dont think I could have found a better car for my needs and wants.

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  S4 Pure Fun ZOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM - 2004 Audi S4
  By Paul - August 26 - 3:15 am

  This is an incredible ride. My first Audi but not my last. I was amazed at the handling. The (4.2L V8) 340 hp and 18/8 wheels matched with the AWD make for unbeliveable handling. Honest 0-60 in 5 seconds. The steering is so responsive it takes some practice. The fit and finish of both the interior and exterior are amazing.

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  Beware of the 1.8T hoax - 2003 Audi A4
  By turbohoax - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Buyer beware. The people giving this car a good review are only doing so to keep the resale value of their cars high! The 1.8Turbo and the Tiptronic auto-trans DO NOT match. The turbo lag is pronounced, alarming, and outright dangerous! You step down on the pedal, and the car pauses for 2 full seconds. I just dumped my 2003 Audi after 4600 miles, at a huge loss, just to get away from this dangerous turbo hoax.

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  Pleasant Surprise - 2003 Audi A4
  By smooth1 - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Solid Teutonic Ride, takes corners like a fly to fly paper for a "family sedan". So many thoughtful and convenient engineering touches no one else would think of. Transmission is extremely smooth and seamless, I was amazed! Tiptronic although not sporty enough for me (subjective though) is the best I have ever tested. No real reason to complain about this vehicle. The overall style never ceases to grow on me.