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:

• 

  Loving My Audi A4 Cabriolet - 2005 Audi A4
  By Paul - July 10 - 9:38 am

  I have had this cabriolet for only 3+ months, but it has exceeded my expectations in almost every category. It is quiet, stable, power enough for most driving, gets about 21 mpg, has very positive steering, takes the bumps well, has great eye appeal, and the upgraded sound system was worth it for an open top car. The trunk is one of the roomier ones for a convertible. With all options it is pricey. I cannot help but feel that with this kind of quality, the resale value for Audi A4 Cabriolet will rise significantly. This is a car well above what I thought an Audi might be. It is hard to imagine this not being a best seller, and a 1st pick for convertible lovers.

• 

  Couldnt be happier with my Roadster! - 2005 Audi TT
  By lotsoflots - July 9 - 3:56 pm

  great vehicle - had a tough time finding the color combo (white & navy blue) I wanted here on the east coast (they stopped making the white ...so I had to search the country for a leftover in 2004). Have been VERY pleased with performance, reliability, appearance. I bought it as a second/fun car, but I find I use it ALL the time (leaving my Mercedes SUV sitting in the garage most days)!

• 

  Amazing Luxury and Performance Wagon - 2005 Audi A4
  By AKD - July 9 - 7:11 am

  We compared wagons from Audi, BMW, Saab, Volvo, and Mercedes, and loved the modern design and understated luxury of the A4 Avant. We ordered a manual with just a few options (premium package, wood trim, and 17" wheels). I got it last week from after 3 months of waiting -- it was well worth the wait. Photos do not really do the car justice. The big grill looks great in person, and the interior is simply the best in this class. The most surprising experience is the unbelievable performance from a 2.0 liter engine. Although the reliability of European cars was concerning, driving the Audi Avant puts a smile on my face that my past Hondas and Subarus never mustered.

• 

  Not as bad as some say! - 1999 Audi A4
  By drmmrboy74 - July 8 - 3:01 pm

  I purchased my Audi A4 with 55,000 miles and it now has 74,000 miles. Ive replaced brake pads, water pump, timing belt w/tensioner, t. pulley, idler pulley, drive belt, front diff. axle seal, wires and plugs, and oil. Although this would have cost alot at a dealer, I purchased the parts online and replaced them myself. If your a decent mechanic or have alot of $$$, Id highly recomend this vehicle. The 2.8 is a little under powered w/Tiptronic trans., but nothing beats the Quattro in the Michigan winter!

• 

  A4 review - 2003 Audi A4
  By Skatz - July 8 - 10:00 am

  I think this is a great car!!!

• 

  Dont trust Audi warranty - 2005 Audi A4
  By A.A. - July 6 - 6:00 pm

  There is no doubt that the A4 has been fun to drive and the Quattros performance is unmatched. But after driving the car for 2+ years it has become very loose with all kinds of interior/exterior noises. My brakes rotors are already warped and Audi service and Customer care are telling me that it is not covered under warranty because of "outside influences stemming from overheating caused by riding on the brakes and braking too hard". This seems like a lame excuse not to cover damage to brakes caused by normal driving.

• 

  Love it....BUT.... - 2005 Audi A4
  By MooseCT - July 6 - 12:34 pm

  I have driven this car for 11 months now. There are some drawbacks that I can live with (cup holders, seat control location, awkward reverse gear) since the drive is really nice. The cup holders are almost useless. The seat controls on the drivers side can easily be activated by accident while exiting the car. The reverse is a push-stick-down and forward left which is the same direction as first gear. Guess I am just used to the right-and-back reverse on every other car I have owned.

• 

  drive and you will buy - 2005 Audi S4
  By mike - July 6 - 1:41 am

  best driving car ever only car that compared was the turbo porche suv.

• 

  Great fun - but poor reliability - 2001 Audi A6
  By pleasanton10 - July 6 - 1:39 am

  This is the last in a senies of Audis Ive owned since an A4 2.8 Q in 1998. Since then theres been an 2001 Audi TT Roadster, a 2001 S4 and a 2004 S4. While I love the comfort and the handling (I have the sports pkg on the A6 4.2), the reliability has been absymal (its been at the dealership every month this calendar year - in addition to regular maintenance). Its a love-hate. I love the speed, acceleration, handling, comfort, styling and with snow tires its GREAT on snow. But I cant afford the maintenance ($800 to replace the rear sunshade last month - ouch!)

• 

  Automotive Intelligence - The Audi A8 - 2005 Audi A8
  By BurnoutSurfer - July 5 - 4:24 pm

  Just bought my Audi A8 two weeks ago. It is the short wheel base version with the convienience package, the cold weather package, XM radio, Seat Ventilation & Massage, premium leather with sitching, and everything else that would normally be options, but come standard with Audi. This is automotive engineering, design, and comfort at its absolute pinnacle.