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:

• 

  Superb All Around Performance Car - 2005 Audi S4
  By Scad - January 1 - 3:33 pm

  I have had My Audi S4 for 3 months now and have put about 1,600 miles on it. It has exceeded my high expectations. Any concerns I had about reliability issues based on early 04 reports are completely gone as Ive had no problems at all. This is a superb vehicle for those who want a true very high performance car (faster around the track than an M3 in some magazine reports), but also want true practicality and comfort as well. This provides virtually the best of all possible worlds with almost no compromises in performance or comfort.

• 

  Never thought Id love it! - 2004 Audi S4
  By Margee - January 1 - 10:19 am

  I have owned three BMWs, an Acura, a Mercedes-Benz, and most recently an Infiniti G35 Coupe. I never even considered buying an Audi until I almost died in my RWD Infiniti last winter in the snow. So, trying to be conservative, I bought the S4. All I can say is HOLY COW!!! The thing is a rocket ship in sheeps clothing. In sport mode, there are few people who can take you at a stop sign. It handles far better than any of my RWD cars and it feels very safe. Havent had much snow this year yet, but with the winter wheels on, I dont anticipate any problems. Cant see why Id ever buy anything else.

• 

  Best Kept Secret in Luxury Autos - 2004 Audi A6
  By Anthony Hunt - December 31 - 9:48 pm

  The Audi A6 3.0 is designed for speed and comfort. The car handles quite well on curves and seems to hug to road. Its color combinations are great --- I have the bluish grey exterior with the black leather interior. I love the bose radio/CD. The sound is lush and can be cranked up without a loss of clarity. The instrument panel looks great. With everything within reach. The gas pedal and the brake are a little too close together and causes a promblem with this size 11 foot. That is the only negative I have about the car. Wheels are alloy and look great when shined up. I also have the tiptronic transmission which gives you extra acceleration. This car definitely compares favorably with BMW.

• 

  Would Do It Again - 2004 Audi S4
  By J - December 31 - 2:55 pm

  I waited six months to receive my Audi S4 after I ordered it and it was worth the wait. This car does pretty much everything well. Its a very timeless design that will not get old. Very subtle but also a hint of restrained agressiveness. The Recaro seats are sublime and the interior is about as close to perfect as Ive seen. It seats four very comfortably and Ive taken several long trips with teenagers in the back. No complaints other than no integrated DVD -) The power is perfect and is delivered through Audis quattro. This V8 is very smooth and powerful. The power delivery is very linear and its hard to keep the speeds down, even when I am trying. The only downside? Gas mileage.

• 

  Made the right choice!!! - 2002 Audi A4
  By jimbones - December 30 - 10:00 am

  If you are worried about anything regardding this vehicle, dont be for its a gem. About 1000 miles to date, firm solid quiet ride, great suspension. Quiet on the inside too, except when the Bose is cranked. I was a littleconcerned with the 4 cylinder engine, but will report that the 5 speed gear box lets this go from zero to 60 comfortably. GREAT HANDLING CAR!!!!

• 

  EVERYONE says "Wow - Nice Car!" - 2002 Audi A4
  By Smiley - December 30 - 10:00 am

  The exterior styling alone is reason enough to buy an A4. I stepped up to the 16" 5-spoke wheels. Looks great! The sport suspension is simply too severe for Ohio roads. Once you get past 1st gear life is wonderful. I still havent figured out if starting off slow or spilling my coffee is best. This is the most fun-to-drive vehicle I have owned. BMW was too much $$$ and there are too many of them on the road.

• 

  Some crazed German Engineers dream car. - 2002 Audi A4
  By Curbstoner - December 30 - 10:00 am

  Want my Passat GLX back. Great looks. fun to drive. Lots of weird accoutrements in the cabin. Power is adequate. Seat motor was broken, took 3 weeks to repair the seat. Crowded Cockpit. Transmission very unique. Radio reception poor. Difficult for me to get comfortable the way the seat is configured. Not that it really matters but the cupholder is without a doubt the worst feature of the vehicle.

• 

  German Muscle Car - 2004 Audi S4
  By DolphinS4 - December 29 - 10:20 pm

  The Audi S4 is an awesome handling car: quattro, speed sensitive steering, & suspension w/ lightweight components. Its interior is top notch, Better than the BMW M3s. Its gearbox is excellent and the clutch is kind of soft. The V8 rumble sounds better than a raspy inline 6. I was deciding between this car and an M3 and picked the S4 because it has 4-doors, a V8 engine, a superb interior, and the better gearbox. I have nearly 20,000 miles on it already and have not had a single problem. The car runs like a dream and has gobs of power throughout all the gears.

• 

  Fun to drive, when not in the shop... - 2003 Audi A4
  By Joey D - December 29 - 4:12 pm

  I recently purchased a 2003 Audi A4 3.0 because the BMW 330xi was the most comparable car, but was far more expensive and came with less features. Let me say that I LOVE driving my car and even miss it when I take the train into work or if Im on vacation, especially if Im having to drive a poor rental car. However, Ive had it in the shop 3 times now, most recently to change the spark plugs! Apparently, if the car isnt started during a drastic change in temperature, as we often get in Chicago, then the engine could misfire and have to be serviced! This is what the dealer told me and said that most newer luxury cars are like this. Still love the car, but worried over the long haul for reliability.

• 

  Still a great car - 2000 Audi S4
  By 2Fast - December 29 - 12:19 am

  Ive had my 2000 Audi S4 for two years now, and it continues to thrill me each and every time I drive it. Its been reliable (so far) and is great fun to drive in the midwest in winter with snow tires. I have held off on upgrading to the newer version, cause I am still happy to be driving this each day.