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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  Very Impressed - 2005 Audi A6
  By DK - March 6 - 4:03 pm

  After spending 20+ years driving cars made in Japan, I took a chance this time on the new A6, and what a pleasant surprise! This car is exactly waht I was looking for...the comfort and bells & whictles of a Japanese car, with the performance of the German made cars. Its the perfect balance! It doesnt drive as hard as BMWs or Mercedes, its just right!

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  Audi S4 review - 2005 Audi S4
  By Mainhitman - March 6 - 12:54 pm

  I have had an interesting experience with my leased 2005 S4 Avant. After one day with the car I noticed a large oil leak under it. To make a long story short, the car had a bad gasket, my dealer repaired the problem and Audi of America compensated me for the headache. Otherwise the car has been a joy todrive and I love this vehicle.

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  Fine until warranty expires - 1999 Audi A4
  By Gary Werner - March 6 - 11:44 am

  The 1999 Audi A4 2.8 quattro Sedan is a fun car to drive, most notably due to its incredible power and handling. Its front seats are very compfortable, and its controls are logically positioned and easy to access. The rear seats are a bit cramped, but OK for occasional use. It has lots of trunk space. Audis 50,000 mile warranty (even covers oil changes) is excellent assuming you drive enough miles per year to make use of the full warranty. Despite the fact that the car was carefully driven and exceptionally well maintained, problems began after the warranty expired. Major problems included fuel injectors (55,000 miles, $600), lower control arms (70,000 miles, $800), and both rear wheel bearings (80,000 miles, $650).

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  1999 A6 Quatro Sedan - 1999 Audi A6
  By Paul - March 5 - 8:36 pm

  My 1999 Audi A6 Sedan looks great anddrives great. I am glad that I purchased a 10yr / 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty though. In four years I have already broken even on my premium for minor problems such as a heated steering wheel short, failed water pump, and window glide failure. I intend to keep car to the end of my warranty so I expect this is a case where it pays to get the extra insurance of bumper-bumper coverate with a $0 deductible.

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  best car in its class - 1998 Audi A4
  By mark - March 5 - 7:44 pm

  My 1998 Audi A4 2.8 Sedan runs smooth, is fast, and luxiouros. It held up really well for seven years. The AWD option is a beautiful thing to have. Theres nothing like the 2.8 engine. This car looked the same until 2001.

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  A Great Car! - 2005 Audi A6
  By Audi Family - March 5 - 6:16 am

  My 2005 Audi A6 3.2 is fantastic! It has exceeded my very high expectations. It is a blast to drive and even more fun in sports mode. The new lines are great and the interior is extremely comfortable.

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  If youre looking for a great car - 2005 Audi A8
  By SLD - March 5 - 5:13 am

  Like many, I was initially concerned with Audis reliability after the acceleration issue back in the mid-80s. After driving a Mercedes-Benz for the past seven years and spending too much time in loaner cars, I was particularly cautious. The jury may still out about the long term reliability (have only driven the car for six weeks), but I think my A8L is a winner. it has all the comforts of a high-end sedan, but with a fun, sporty attitude! The interior & exterior finish is superb and the car is a "head turner".

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  Aways Allroad - 2005 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Scuzzy - March 3 - 9:13 pm

  Sleekly designed wagon with break neck acceleration (biTurbo). Will reach 80 mph on the highway in a flash (watch out for speed traps)! AWD keeps this beast glued to the road - especially in the rain. Every imaginable (and distractable) creature comfort exists in the cockpit. Seats are "La-Z-boy" comfortable. Red lit interior buttons at night send the coolness factor through the roof! Factory installed Bose 6 speaker sound system rocks my entire block!

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  fun little machine - 1997 Audi A4
  By Pickle - March 3 - 3:25 pm

  I bought my A4 at 3 years old, and have run it up to 116,000 miles. It has been incredibly dependable but repairs arent cheap. The car always gives me plenty of (usually audible) signs that something needs attention. I have had to replace the CD player and all the ball joints...other than that, it has been great.

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  Near-Perfect Car - 1998 Audi A6
  By BoulderSteve - March 2 - 2:33 pm

  Ive gone through quite a few cars in recent years, including VW Passat, Acura TL, Lexus ES300. This car beats all of them by far and yes, even purchased used. Strong engine, good fuel economy, go-anywhere AWD, luxurious interior (leather & real wood!) with everything at your fingertips, tiptronic transmission. I can ride in this car for hours w/o any backache.