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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  1.8T Bad Engine Design - 2001 Audi A4
  By Geoff - February 14 - 2:38 pm

  The cars great when it works, but after all the problems the world knows about with the ignition coils, it also has a bad oil filtration system and timing belt tensioner. Read the bulletin boards for huge repair bills and horror stories of oil pumps seizing and engine belts falling off. Mine went through two oil pumps and found out the valves needed replacing - all of which Audi refuses to pay for. Bad engine, bad company. They tried to make it right when it was small stuff like the coils, but now that its big engine bills theyre stone walling it. These turbo engines can *ONLY* run on synthetic oil. Yet the dealers have strict instructions otherwise on leased cars. Bad.

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  Fun & Style - 1996 Audi A4
  By Ryan - February 14 - 12:21 am

  Lead: Never Follow. Thats truly what Audi is all about. My lil yellow rocket has so much in such a compact car. The 172HP V6 has plenty of get-up and go and has excellent handling and still a very smooth ride. Of course there is the fear of german cars, but I myself have not had many problems with mine. Other than basic maintenance, Ive never had a problem. With 124,000 miles, this engine has plenty left too. And with the 1996 worth a measly $5-$6k, you can get style, comfort, and performance at a great price. And with Quattro, you cant co wrong. It adds versatility to the list as well. Overall, I would highly recommend this car to anyone, young or old.

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  yessir thats my baby - 2004 Audi S4
  By Sharon - February 13 - 1:01 pm

  Sometimes I believe my S4 leaves the road and soars through the air! It glides around corners, stops on a dime and is always willing to go faster than I am. It is beautiful and I still get excited everytime I slip in behind the wheel. Taking the top down on the freeway is wonderful. Sometimes I feel guilty about the as milage...but, well, what can I say, Im in LOVE!

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  Love / Lust / Drive - 2005 Audi A8
  By Dean Davis - February 13 - 12:26 pm

  Having owned Audi, Mercedes, BMW and Range Rovers over the years...not to mention the occasional American SUV...I can honestly say that Ive never had so much fun behind the wheel. The A8L is like driving a Porsche Limousine. Realizing that owning an 03 Range Rover in Florida was silly and unnecessary for my needs, I went in search of a sedan that would give me the same WOW factor. Friends with 745iL werent quite satisfied we have a MB S430 in the garage already and the Japanese cars just dont do it for me. Jag had low head room and seems to be for older folk. Then, with the most stunning int/ext package Ive ever seen, I saw her and bought her off the showroom floor. Bliss is mine!

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  My First Audi - 2005 Audi A6
  By Major - February 13 - 10:34 am

  Lots of comfort for a family of 5. The smooth ride and elegant design steams 100% luxury. Electronics are ideally positioned (better than Mercedes). Plenty of truck space. I feel protected with the advanced safety features. Small discomforts are engine sounds during quick acceleration on highway and 2nd cupholder under armrest. This will NOT be my only great-looking Audi.

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  Nice Car - 2005 Audi A6
  By CWise - February 12 - 11:55 pm

  From the day that I picked this baby up I was impressed with the look and power of the 4.2L V8 engine. As a sedan this is my first Audi and first V8 engine in a sedan. I have tested many cars of course and this is far the best. I love the feature of the navigation, very easy to use, Bose Audio System even better then my 150,000 Porsche, and love the fact that you dont need to start with the key. But a little odd that you cant open the passenger door without the key. Anyway the car is beautiful and I would heartily recommend this car.

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  Easy to live with - 2015 Audi S4
  By C.E. Gunn - February 12 - 2:09 pm

  The S4 does everything well. It is very quick, handles well, and brakes well. After approximately 11,000 mi. (in a year and a half) it is holding up well, and it still looks sharp. The miles are low because our summer drive is a Porsche Cayman S. The S4 is about as quick in a straight line, but it cant compare to the Porsches road-holding. (Part of the difference lies in tires.) At nearly 14,000 miles, we still feel this is a great car. The supercharged V6 is a delight, and the transmission works well with it. No problems to report. Update: After another 4,000 miles, we still think this is a great car. Will buy another in a year or two if they didnt mess up the V6. Update: At nearly 20,000 mi., we still think this is a great car. No problems to report. Highway mpg is in the 32-34 range.

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  Audi Dream. - 2004 Audi A4
  By hov - February 12 - 2:00 am

  This car is definitely worth its price. For so many options and features, the driver gets his "bang for the bucks!"

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  My Audi - 2004 Audi A4
  By Bails - February 12 - 2:00 am

  So far the car is great. The turbo does have some flaws, such as the gas mileage isnt that great when you really drive the car hard. The performance that the turbo provides is relatively powerful. It has a lot of good safety features. Would be a good buy for a family.

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  Buyer beware - 1998 Audi A4
  By Grover - February 11 - 7:20 pm

  Terrific car for foul weather, when its not in the shop. Fun to drive, if you can afford premium fuel and poor mileage (19 mpg average). Beautiful car, however, it will break the bank when it breaks down!