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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  First Audi, and Love It - 2003 Audi A4
  By ScottM - December 10 - 1:48 pm

  I bought this car used on a "whim" while driving my reliable Toyota one Saturday. Its fun to drive with the 17" wheel sport package, and has more than enough power and handling for most people. The turbo has a low, metallic growl when its cold, but it generally performs well. Service is okay, although I question the wisdom of scheduled oil changes every 10k miles, but I can report no other problems right now.

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  Objective Review - 2001 Audi A8
  By lgp38 - December 10 - 2:12 am

  Ive driven Mercedes, Lexus, BMWs, Cadillacs, and although some of them had more gadgets, more power or were more quiet, none of them felt as solid and rigid as the 2001 Audi A8. Personally, the rarity of this vehicle is a big plus for me, and that is complemented by a solid ride, more than average comfort and very acceptable performance for such a heavy car, not to mention the Quattro, which shines in every aspect. Its fuel economy is not great, but frankly which car in this category gives more than 15 mpg. This car may not be a rocket, or turn on a dime, but whatever performance number it reaches, it does in a very smooth and effortless way. Add to this a warranty until 2007 or 100,000 miles.

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  best rocket car - 2005 Audi A8
  By chris gaynor - December 7 - 12:18 am

  This is absolutly the best car ever on the market. My wife does not get to touch it. It is fast, responsive, and its design is the standard lost by BMW and Mercedes-Benz. It is the new gold standard, miles ahead of everything out there. It has great power and lines. Just buy one, and you will feel that youve finally gotten what you paid for and then some. Its architecture is stellar...do it.

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  just do it - 2005 Audi A8
  By BENAVA - December 5 - 11:06 pm

  If you are looking for a fun, luxurious, performance sedan , look no furthur. I have had a number of luxury automobiles, including the BMW 7-Series, the Mercedes-Benz S500., and Lexus. This is by-far the most any car enthusiasts can ask for. I traded in a 2004 BMW 7-Series for it. JUST DO IT

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  Audi Certified is the BEST! - 2000 Audi A4
  By Ryan - December 5 - 8:58 pm

  I read a lot of reviews and all I hear is complaints. Its a used car! Youre going to have to change brakes and sensors. You cant complain. Audi Certified is awesome! The best in the biz. My oxygen sensor went which is typical, but the computer ecu didnt catch the code, so ihad problems. They replaced everything even if not broken, all sensors, ecu, air pump, battery, oil change. They paid for it all! They didnt even charge a deductible because I had to bring it in twice! NO warranty would havepayed for sensors, oil change and battery. They wanted me to be satisfied and I am. Remember its a used car. 60k miles its going to need maint.

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  The last car i want to own - 2005 Audi S4
  By JP - December 4 - 1:34 pm

  I have had a number of cars over the years. I have had the small sports car to the suv ... and nothing can compare to the feeling I get in this. From the handling to the roar of the motor ... it is all pleasure. I acutally like driving in the rain now - thanks in part to Quattro. It is the most fun car I have ever driven.

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  AUDI TT Performance - 2005 Audi TT
  By Dr. K - December 4 - 11:31 am

  This car is extraordinary in ever respect. While the curb weight errs on the heavy side, most of the weight reflects safety features rarely found in a sports car. A sound trade off given the acceleration stats of the vehicle. However, the "best" feature is the cars roadability - like driving on a RR track. It is amazing how well this car hold the road. However, you must get winter snow tires or wheels as (with other sportscars) high speed performance tires dont have the necessary grip.

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  A great car with problems !!! - 2005 Audi S4
  By amp_ny - December 2 - 5:55 pm

  I got this car in May 2004. Its a great, fun car to drive but I have several minor problems but the most important one is, while driving between 900-1100 rpm or when i go down gear, I hear a vibration. it sounds like coming from the muffler but it doesnt. Went back to the dealer twice and finally second time, they said that its coming from the drive chain. Maybe they will have to take the engine out to fix it.

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  Who are some of these reviewers - 2001 Audi A4
  By MarylandMan - December 2 - 2:44 am

  I have enjoyed my A4 very much. Cant add much to what other have said. My experience with the coil recall was totally unlike another person has reported. Before I had the coil recall work done, I received multiple letters from Audi USA reminding me to bring in my A4 to have ALL the coils replaced FREE of charge and if I had already paid to have them fixed, to send them copies of the invoices so they could reimburse me IN FULL.

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  WOW - 2005 Audi S4
  By carlylsdad - December 2 - 12:30 am

  I traded my 2000 s4 twin turbo for this v-8 model and WOW. It handles great and accelerates great. I thought they couldnt improve on the 00 model, but was I wrong. What an upgrade! Drive this and it sells itself.