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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  The "end-all be-all" crossover vehice - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By jdwing17 - January 13 - 10:00 am

  this vehicle is trully the "end-all be- all" crossover vehicle. Drives like a proformance car but carries a load. Looks good on the strip or in a stream. versatility makes this a star. Amazing handling on all road surfaces, this car also handles extreme driving conditions with ease. I am not a dealer, or stock owner, but this car fits in tight spaces and feels as solid as a truck. People mover or furniture carrier, this car does everything... trully; "the ultimate driving machine."

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  Black Beauty - 2003 Audi A4
  By Audia4 - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Fantastic luxury & comfort features for a car in this price range. My only complaints are lack of power,car is too heavy for a 1.8t engine, and had problems with excessive wind noise above 50 mph from the drivers side door. Latter complaint was somewhat fixed by dealer.

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  Absolute performance - 2003 Audi A4
  By silkjetfun - January 13 - 10:00 am

  For those of you who thibk the BMW 3 series is better, think again. I have a 1.8T quattro 5 speed manual with the sport suspension. I added a chip for $500 and the car absolutely screams-and still costs thousands less than the quite common 3 series. I think the A4 sport suspension is better than the BMWs. Plus I have no fear in the rain or the snow due to quattro. You cant say that about a 3 series. Less common, better looking, and ready for any season. What a ride!

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  oustanding - 2003 Audi A4
  By hellireckon - January 13 - 10:00 am

  fabulous car, ive owned many differnt cars over the years and i must say audi has been one of my favorites.

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  Audi Rules! - 2003 Audi A4
  By jsbenoit - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I sold a 1-yr old 3 series to buy the 02 Audi Quattro. The Audi blows it away. The 3 series understeers and is incompetent in the wet. Trunk is also microscopic on the Bimmer, and the whole car is overpriced. But you knew that!

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  superior quality at a decent price - 2003 Audi A4
  By DRAZIL - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE MY AUDI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  EKW Review - 2003 Audi A4
  By Kennon - January 13 - 10:00 am

  The car is an amazing value. A friend who owns a BMW 330 coupe noted that for $16K less than he had spent, I had one heck of car on my hands. The CVT is remarkable, and handling is superb. The best car I have ever owned. It is a fantastic driving car. Audi likes to hype the Quattro because it is a profit maker for them, but the front wheel car is superb. I have never felt more in control of an automobile. Ill stop. I could go on and on. For the money, I am hard pressed to believe there are better driving experiences on the planet.

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  Great Looking, But ... - 2003 Audi A4
  By IrvThal - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a 1998 Audi 1.8 T and almost immediately had problems when the passenger side seat fell off its tracks and the cruise control didnt work. While the problems were resolved, about four years after my ownership bega, I started having serious problems with the car. Last year, less than five years after purchase, I put $3,000 into repairs. Audis may look great -- but be VERY careful of their reliability and upkeep!

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  My 2003 3.0L 6spd Qtr - 2003 Audi A4
  By phealtha - January 13 - 10:00 am

  The car amazes everyone who rides in it with its solidness as well as its sense of luxury in a mid size sports sedan. I have owned an S2000 Honda and an 01 BMW M Roadster and this car is just as exciting in the twisties as either of those machines. In fact it generates much hgiher levels of confidence. I considered ordering an S4 but I cannot justify the addtional $13k for more weight and only 1.3 seconds quicker to 60mph. A fine piece of machinery that is too often overlooked and underated by the auto press.

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  Monster S4 - 2005 Audi S4
  By Anwar - January 11 - 1:11 am

  Extreme acceleration, handling, and comfort. The S4 has and does it all. This car leaps off the line, and corners like glue. The Recaro seats are the most comfortable I have experienced to date. I love the rumble of the V8 and the way it pulls you into the seats all the way to 7000 rpms. I didnt expect it to be such a beast and a head turner all wrapped into one complete package.