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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  Fun, fast car - 2006 Audi A4
  By joshua schreer - January 5 - 12:53 am

  It is a fun and very fast car. Very eye apealing and turns many heads on the road. Only down side is the turbo doesnt kick in till about 2,500 RPMs so it has a delay for a second in take off speed once you hit the gas. But as soon as the Turbo kicks in it makes up for it.

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  Emotional Attachment - 2001 Audi TT
  By gepetoh - January 4 - 10:51 pm

  My 2001 Audi TT at the time was by far the biggest head turner of all cars not named Ferrari or Lamborghini, and it cost a heck of a lot less. The driving experience is superb due to the way it makes me feel, rather than the individual parts. The TT is by no means a performance ace. There is noticeable turbo lag, and it goes 0-60 in 7.5 or so, but it feels faster. Its lateral grip is excellent, although not comparable to the sportier Porsche Boxster or Honda S2000. Overall, the car feels sportier than it actually is. The real winner is the design, both internally and externally. There are some creaks that are rather annoying at times, however, and I had to take it in for two minor and one major service.

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  Better than Advertised - 2005 Audi A8
  By Welschman - January 4 - 9:45 pm

  The 2005 Audi A8 is silent, smooth, powerful, smart and handsome. OK, enough about me..:-) What a car! I just let my 2000 740iL go and got an 05 A8L. The 7-Series was a great car, but the A8 is even better. I cannot think of one thing I dont like about the car. Being able to change suspensions and shift points makes it like having two or three cars all with the best interior in the world. Get one!

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  What a Car - 2001 Audi A6
  By Fadi - January 4 - 3:48 pm

  Ive had absolutely no complaints since purchasing my 2001 Audi A6 2.8 quattro Sedan a little over four months ago. The driving is superb for any weather, especially Chicagos cold and harsh winters. The leather seats fit me comfortably, and the Bose sound system blows me away. What a car!

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  A bit disappointed with 2002 A4 - 2002 Audi A4
  By cllk55mag - January 4 - 2:43 pm

  it has been in the shop twice for check engine light issues. It will be going in for a third time for cruise control problems. The car interior makes "wear and tear" noises that should not be evident in a brand new car. I have an 89 Benz that has less squeaks. Im guessing the sport suspension induced the squeaks, coupled with driving the car in San Franciscos terrible city streets. For a car that weighs as much as a Toyota 4Runner, I find the V6 lacking.

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  2005 Audi S4 - 2005 Audi S4
  By G - January 4 - 2:14 pm

  The Audi S4 is an iron fist in a silk glove. Every time you hit the right foot it feels like two hands shoving you forward, and it corners like its on rails. I took the family allroad 2.7T to the dealer for a service, and test drove the S4 while I waited. I had a 2000 A4 2.8 before and was curious... I got out grinning from ear to ear and feeling like Id been on a rollercoaster. The deal was $2,000 down/ $499 month, it was a steal I signed up for on the spot. The tiptronic was not nearly as much fun as the manual 6 spd. It shifts up to 6th and rumbles along most of the time. However, the auto has better fuel economy, just enough to avoid the $1700 gas guzzler tax for the manual.

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  My Third Audi - 2005 Audi A8
  By RAY MARTINEZ - January 3 - 2:19 pm

  My 05 A8 is my third Audi. MY 2001 A8L runs with such zip and jetlike take off that it it is without a doubt a magnificent vehicle. I prefer the A8 to the BMWs because of the luxury feel that you get with, combined with the great speed. A few things to improve on include the cup holders and CD location but overall this is a great car. So I bought a new 2005 A8L this August and it it blows away all the other top luxury cars That Ive road tested. Its handling on wet pavement is all you can expect from any car that still rides on the ground.

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  Audi Excellence - 2005 Audi TT
  By TT MD - January 3 - 10:10 am

  The 05 Audi TT is a truly exemplory car. It is a supurb driverrs car with outstanding handling. The Quattro drive must be experienced to be believed . It is like riding on a track no matter the rain conditions. It is strongly recommended that a sports car winter tire be used durng snow season, e.g. Blizzak. With those tires, even the Audi convertible is a great year round car in most regions.

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  Great Car, Great Price - 2001 Audi A6
  By Pleased 2nd Owner - January 2 - 8:43 pm

  I picked up my 2001 Audi A6 4.2 at a used car dealership that takes in a lot of off lease Audis. My A6 has the sport package which I highly reccommend. I was afraid of buying this car after reading about the reliability issues on several sites but the dealer gave a nice bumper to bumper warranty. I do not regret my decision to buy this car! I love it.

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  Great Sports Sedan - 2009 Audi A4
  By CAroaddriver - January 2 - 2:06 pm

  Bought the A4 2.0T Quattro with the premium plus package. Great exterior styling, good interior, good fit/finish, almost great handling. This car is quicker and better handing than the 99 A6 3.2 I sold. The low-end torque makes it responsive in commute driving, loads of fun in the hills. Getting an honest 30+ mpg on the highway. The trunk is roomy, and the split fold-down rear seat ads versatility some of the other sports sedans lack. The LED daytime running lights turn heads.