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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  What a nice upgrade! - 2005 Audi A4
  By Djackson - April 20 - 7:55 pm

  The new 2.0T is the perfect engine! The new body style is perfect, many new additions really make the 05.5 worth it.

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  All weather sports sedan - 2005 Audi A4
  By Tango - April 20 - 4:21 pm

  Have had the car for 4 weeks - considered BMW325X, Infinity G35X and Accura TL. Car has sports pkg, Premium, and Lighting package. Great in good and poor weather, fabulous in snow. Styling is superb - no regrets - could use a little more hp. but is what I expected,- Sport mode shifter, and tiptronic makes up for this - handling exceeds my capabilities and nerves. Gas mileage is great. Roomier than BMW 325 (2005. Styling is better than the 2006.

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  Good at first, horrible, then great! - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By rawrrXD - April 20 - 3:50 pm

  I bought this car with 110,000 miles on it in spring in northern NH, ahem: MUD. awesome in it however, when the winter months came the suspension BLEW completely gone, and it was horrible, I had been told that it was common problem and goes away with warm weather, so i had it checked out, an air suspension sensor had fried, and was replace for roughly $300, had the timing belt done, and now it RUNS LIKE A CHARM, i love this car, i will always drive an Audi, perhaps something a bit cheaper to fix, but i <3 Audi of America. At an annual Audi owners of America banquet which i worked at and found all too ironic, i told them I drove an allroad, and many were jealous, i get daily compliments.

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  Make sure youre wealthy - 1998 Audi A6
  By Ric - April 20 - 2:23 pm

  Dont buy one thats not certified! It is a great car, but costs big $$$ to get fixed. Dont take to dealerships! Got 19-20 MPH average (Stinks!) Had all kinds of issues at first. Hit a pothole for $5k of damage. Had a wheel fall off while driving due to a bearing and control arm just breaking off. Engine started leaking oil pretty bad at like 95K. Was still running at 150k, but was hurting. New brakes every 20k or so, new tires about the same, new head lights pretty often. Bent my rims all the time. Always thrashed my front bottoming out. Awesome in the snow - even if the snow was over the hood! Crashes VERY well. Head on with a Jeep Grande Cherokee and no injuries. Car dead.

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  A4 with sports package - 2004 Audi A4
  By Scottt - April 20 - 11:21 am

  I have owned several cars including my most recent, a 2002 BMW 325i. Overall, I would rate this A4 as the best car I have owned. The exterior and especially the interior styling cannot be beat in this price range. I have the sports package with the interior aluminum trim and love it - very sporty and classy at the same time. Also, I love the lower profile, sleek look with the sports package. The ride suffers a bit with it as to be expected and there is not much noticeable improvement in handling IMHO, but still worth it for the look.

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  Awesome Car - 1999 Audi A4
  By PSAZtec - April 19 - 9:28 pm

  This is a great car. It is so beautiful inside! Rich, contrasting colors are great. Ride is amazing. Bose stereo sounds impressive and full. I will sell my car and I will cry when I sell it. This is from a guy. Get a tiptronic, it is the way to go.

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  Best SUV/All purpose vehicle made - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Bryan J Pacelli - April 19 - 2:00 am

  The best part of this car is that it is great at EVERYTHING! Overall quality is second to none! The performance/handling/power is better than luxury performance sedans plus, it performs the same in the RAIN where the others have to change their driving habits, the Allroad performs the same in the rain as it does so well on the dry! The adjustable suspension gives me more ground clearance than most SUVs - If this isnt enough it is a blast in the snow - absolutely unstoppable! I am 35 - with a young family - it gives me the flexibility of a wagon in a fun, progressive/aggressive package - This is not my mothers Volvo wagon!!!

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  new car - 2003 Audi A4
  By captainhook - April 19 - 2:00 am

  very good car--rides solid, great in bad weather-snow, rain. very well built and looks great.

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  Always something wrong with it - 2004 Audi A4
  By Kerstin - April 19 - 1:39 am

  I bought my A4 in May 03. It was one problem after another. The trunk compartment for holding the top broke and needed to be replaced. The final straw was when the transmission needed to be replaced with only 9k on the car! It had been making some strange creaking noises but the dealer kept insisting it was just loose bolts they needed to tighten. After several visits to the shop, they finally determined that the transmission was defective. In 9 months of owning the car, it was probably in the shop for a total of 8 weeks. I would never buy another Audi. Very poor quality.

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  I Love This Car! - 1999 Audi A4
  By mcdebra - April 19 - 12:47 am

  I bought my Audi used with 31,000 miles (now shes at 53,000) and I have had no problems, just had to get a new battery and tires! Very reliable and I will definitely check out Audis when I am looking for my next car.