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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  A True quality built car. Blast to drive - 1992 Audi S4
  By Todd - June 28 - 4:23 am

  Wished it a had a shorter nose. Fully electrical w/voice recognition phone (who else had that standard in 92). Cornering is pure adrenaline and the turbo will defintely put you back in your seat. However, thats the only problem Ive had with my car. The Turbo has been somewhat on-again, off-again. Ride is very comfortable with fully adjustable heated seats, yet when the heat is on the suspension gets stiff. Very quiet inside the car.

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  A pleasure to drive, nightmare to own - 2004 Audi A8
  By Gary Lee - June 27 - 7:17 pm

  This is a beautiful car and a sheer joy to drive and ride in -- but you dont want to own one! (unless you REALLY like visiting your dealer) This is my 8th Audi -- and my last. It spent over three months in the shop in the first year. Alarm system, MMI, running down the battery, trunk closer bent the trunk lid (Audi said it couldnt happen and wouldnt replace), starter module, air bags failed (twice), transmission. Audi wouldnt own up to any problems...until it died on the dealership floor. They had a fix for a problem that doesnt exist, but it didnt work. Wont take the car back (its "cheaper for them to keep fixing it.") Three trips to dealer this month. Sound like fun????

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  very dissapointing - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By stugs - June 27 - 2:00 am

  turbo lag is huge

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  Disappointed - 2004 Audi A8
  By Ira - June 25 - 7:49 pm

  First car was taken back by dealership after electronics failed and car had been in the shop for 30 days. Replacement vehicle still has electronic problems. I have been locked out (remote will not work) and the automatic rear lid closer works only on occassion. MMI has been upgraded but is tempermental and is difficult to work while driving. More distracting than a cell phone!. Dealer service is terrible, given the cost of this "luxury " vehicle. Ive had better service at a Chevy dealership.

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  Audi - 1998 Audi A4
  By Suzi - June 25 - 3:28 pm

  I purchased my Audi A4 2.8 Quattro new after studying reports on AWD and 4 wheel drive vehicles on the Internet and in libraries, I narrowed the field to 5 potential cars. I then test drove all of them, most more than once, on surface streets, highway and the Colorado mountain highways to check cornering and ability to keep up with the pack (you know what I mean if youve ever driven I-70). The Audi A4 stood out far above all the others! 8 years later, I am still a huge fan! All scheduled maintenance has been performed, but no major repairs have been necessary. The car still handles and performs like a dream, and looks as good and stylish as any new auto. I love driving this car!

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  Great All Around Car - 2009 Audi A4
  By David - June 25 - 7:16 am

  Had this car for three weeks and I have nothing but good things too say about it. Stylish exterior with just as beautiful interior. Acceleration and power feel much better than when I tested the 2009 TSX which is also a four-banger but not quite as responsive as the other competitors that have a V6. Safety is pretty much on par with everyone else as well but Quattro is a big plus since thats the only real fulltime AWD in its class. I like that automatic not only has a manual shift mode, but also a sport autoshift that lets the car stay in lower gears longer for more power. All in all a real eye-catcher inside and out that gets decent MPG for an AWD and has just enough zip to have fun.

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  California Dream - 2005 Audi A4
  By Tod - June 24 - 9:10 pm

  Absolute fun to drive! Room for 4 adults. Simple, clean trim. Sport package is a must. A bit underpowered at lower speeds, but the fun factor easily compensates for power issues.

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  Forget the Competition - 2006 Audi A6
  By Peter R - June 24 - 5:50 pm

  After owning 3 BMWs which by the way I loved and driving numerous sports cars I still can not believe the performance of my my new Audi a6 4.2, I opted for the sport package with the 18 inch rims and P-Zero tires and lowered suspension, this car handles like its on rails, I cut three lanes at over 100 mph and dont hear so much as a whisper from the car, at 125 mph the car feels safe, solid and extremely quiet for this speed, I constantly drive the car in S mode so my gas mileage suffers, small price to pay for an adrenaline rush, next week Im having the 130 mph limiter removed and would be disappointed if I dont reach a solid 160 mph, overall this piece of machinery is incredible.

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  Avoid Audis! - 2001 Audi TT
  By insyte - June 24 - 4:33 pm

  I own a 2001 TT Roadster convertible. Nothing but problems: failed transaxle, water leaks and rattles, performance problems, failed instrument cluster -- all with less than 23,000 miles!! Audi has not been helpful in resolving out-of-warranty problems. For instance, discovered at 22,000 miles -- due to severely abnormal tire wear -- that rear axle was bent when installed at the factory. Audi insists that damage due to "external factors," but dealer admits it takes a serious impact to bend the axle -- which has never happened in my possession. Out of warranty -- Audis "Customer Advocates" are powerless to help, even though they agree that it is improbable that I caused the damage.

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  The ultimate love hate relationship - 1998 Audi A4
  By Shawndh - June 24 - 12:33 pm

  I love to drive this car. The interior is the best in class. I added a GIAC chip which gave a little more throttle response and that was all the power I needed. The 2.8 is very smooth, the handling is great and its a georgous car. On the other hand there have been some reliablity issues. Ive replaced: eng fan, control arm, tie rods, defective CD chg, vac line (recall), cam seals, T-stat, and now the ABS controller is dying. Other probs were from fine tuning modifications that I added. I do most of my own maint and shop for aftermarket parts online and junkyards for deals on parts. So it hasnt been that bad financially. But I wouldnt recommend to a non-DIY type.