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:

• 

  Alright... - 2005 Audi A4
  By O. Toledo - June 13 - 4:39 pm

  My experience so far has been a negative one. One month with the car and an engine belt breaks off meaning 2 weeks of labor. An extra two months into the car and the left tail light went off. Lately, the Airbag sign came on. Not to mention that the ignition key battery is already dead.

• 

  best of its class - 2005 Audi A6
  By asalman - June 13 - 3:31 pm

  The new A6 Drives like a Dream. The comfort level is very high. Looks are great. Great handling in the rain

• 

  Well done, Audi - 2002 Audi A4
  By A4 lover - June 13 - 10:00 am

  Its been fun to drive an A4.

• 

  Great Design, Poor Reliability - 1998 Audi A6
  By GoodDesign - June 12 - 10:13 pm

  Like most reviewers here, I bought my A6 right after it came off of a 3-yr lease. I wondered, "Why would the original owner not buy this wonderful car?" The maintenance is horrific on this car but the car drives so well, and the styling is so superb, I am conflicted over whether or not I would make the purchase again. My mistake was in not purchasing an extended warranty, something that I would never have even considered after owning several Japanese cars. I thought that only American cars needed extended warranties. But when you look at similar year BMWs & Mercedes, there was really no contest. The BMW was faster & the Benz had more recognition, but Audi won the styling competition easily.

• 

  A8 - 2005 Audi A8
  By S Lasser - June 12 - 3:14 pm

  This is my first Audi. I have one friend who has had his A8 for 7 years and loves it. I recently retired to FL where every trip on the interstate is an exercise in survival, so I was looking for a substantial machine with good handling. Ive had my eye on the A8 ever since it was reviewed in Autoweek. I like brand consistency and the fact that the average Joe, me included, has trouble distinguishing an A4 from an A8. My previous car was a 2000 740 which served me well. Stylewise, the new 745 is too in your face for my taste.

• 

  Finally Fun and Toys in a Luxury Sedan - 2005 Audi A8
  By Lu - June 12 - 10:49 am

  Ive owned Mercedes, BMW and Lexus sedans. For my money, this is finally a large, luxury sedan that is fun to drive. Im also a toy fanatic. The Audi has toys of value. No electronics just to demonstrate that the engineers can achieve something. This has toys that make sense!

• 

  Amazing Quality - 2005 Audi A6
  By Mark - June 12 - 10:38 am

  I have had my 3.2 A6 for 3 months now and have never been back to the dealer, not once. There has not been one single thing that needed repair or adjusting. My Blackberry 7100T works perfectly with the exception of downloading the phone list and took 3 minutes to pair. I love how I can be on the phone and start the car and it switches seamlessly over to speaker. Once you get used to the MMI, it works great... even the voice recognition. Ride, handling, transmission, A/C, stereo and nav are wonderful. The interior is much better quality than BMW or Mercedes. People compliment me frequently on the cars beauty. Audi is the new standard in German luxury.

• 

  Impeccable interior and technology - 2005 Audi A8
  By louis - June 12 - 10:04 am

  The moment I test drove the A8 I knew that it was a car that met our high standard of a sedan. We previously owned the S Class Mercedes and found that this car surpassed it in everyway. We enjoy driving the A8 and it is a very comfortable car to drive. Passenger comfort superior in the spacious rear seats. A gem all the way!

• 

  Buyer Beware - 2005 Audi A6
  By Buyer Beware - June 12 - 1:21 am

  I made the mistake of buying the A6 with the V8 and the Sports Suspension. This car is better with standard suspension and all season tires for sure. The combo I bought makes the car ride way too stiff. Also - the outside temp indicator randomly malfunctions and reads 15-20 degress lower than the temp really is. Seems that this is occuring when the A/C is on. Dealer refuses to do anything because it doesnt happen when they have the car. The automatic transmission is the worst I have ever driven - it switches way to fast when starting from a stop. THere is no vent only setting on the climate control - I have never heard of such a thing!!

• 

  Total Package - 2005 Audi A6
  By jramieri - June 11 - 6:24 pm

  The car is great to drive..lots of power and the interior is flawless. The premium sound system is the best Ive experienced in a stock OEM unit. The CD changer is poorly placed in the glove compartmenbt with no in dash CD player. The Tiptronic and sport modes for the trans are fun. The car, however, looks like ten thousand others and is undistinguished. Smooth, quick and elegant. I love getting into it each morning and am sorry to leave it. Power steering is a tad too light and brakes a bit too touchy.