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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  If not Perfection, damn close! - 2005 Audi A8
  By bob damato - December 1 - 11:10 pm

  The A8 "Short" model is absolutely incredible. The interior absolutely blows away any MB, BMW or any other automobile made - at any price... This car feels and drives like it made from a solid billet block of aircraft aluminum. Handling is suberb, with the wheel allowing road feel to come right thru to my hands without being loose. The tracking of the car is like nothing else Ive ever driven. Body and interior finish is exquisite. The Ameretto interior with the Maple wood is an exquisite color combination. You have three ride options that all feel tight and controlled. I leave it on "Auto" and it works just fine. The transmission is seamless and accelerateion incredible.

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  nice car - 2003 Audi A4
  By Kashiwa - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Just got this car few days, I think its great, waiting for 1k millage so i can actually RUN the car.

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  AUDI A4 - 2003 Audi A4
  By tateuts - December 1 - 10:00 am

  For $28,000, the Audi A4 comes loaded with a sport package. The turbo 1.8 is fine, but get the 6 if you want more "off the line" power.

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  Solid! - 2003 Audi A4
  By Mint - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I received the car one day before taking a trip. It was the funnest 9 hours I have ever driven. Lots of luxury for the money. I cant wait to see the AWD perform in the snow. The 3.0 and AWD are a little hard on fuel economy, but well worth it.

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  just got it - 2005 Audi A6
  By kennys001 - December 1 - 1:46 am

  My 2005 Audi A6 3.2 drives very well, even in the snow we have been getting. The features are not very intuitive (I had to read the entire manual + the MMI guide). Once familiar with the cockpit, I am sure the car will be great. Stylistically, I like the new design. The car feels bigger than my 2002 A6. Even the headlights are sophisticated. The full screen Navigation is a better system than previous editions. I also like the fact that the entire country is on one DVD versus the previous systems multiple discs and lack of a screen.

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  A3 is Impossible to lease in NY. - 2006 Audi A3
  By AJ Krent - November 29 - 6:10 am

  This car has lived up to all that has been written in car magazine and on the Web. The New 2.0T with the DSG is a terrific match. The car is very well balanced to drive in stop and go point & shoot city traffic and on the highway. It has great reflexes and a top notch Interior design.The biggest problem is that I see NONE on the road in NY. These cars at 30K lease out similar to a loaded A6. Audi has created the worst lease financing and residual #s. It makes it impossible to lease and is surely sending folks elsewhere.

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  Some disappointments here...2004 model - 2005 Audi A8
  By l cavin - November 27 - 3:20 am

  Fast, good looking sedan with plenty of room inside. Good gas mileage, especially on highway. Annoying nav system and MMI operation. Quirky transmission.

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  Go with a Lexus - 2001 Audi A6
  By JennAudiDriver - November 26 - 5:06 pm

  The Audi is indeed a sexy sleek beautiful machine but the maintenance is a nightmare. From the dash lights to the creeky noise of the steering wheel (that Audi still cant identify), water pumps and the wear and tear of the "aluminum" shifter plate. Id say that the maintenance money could be better spent. I came from a 1995 Lexus ES 300 with160,000 miles on it that still ran like a champ. My 2001 A6 has been to Audi twelve times now for warranty work. I have spent more time in the loaner car. Just my advice - you dont see many on the road for a reason..... Good luck.

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  Not What I Expected - 2001 Audi A4
  By Annabelle - November 26 - 4:25 pm

  I had high expectations for my Audi A4, and they have been dashed to pieces. I have had the same problem many others have had with engine coils (car broke down completely 3 times this year alone!) My dealership covered the repairs, but the hassle factor was extremely high. I also had to replace door speakers and had a problem with my drivers side airbag. My check engine light is on right now and as soon as I get it back from the dealership I am trading this car in. My mother also has an Audi A4 that she has had much worse problems with (replaced the entire engine twice along with the transmission!) My "Audi Experience" has not been a good one!

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  Superb Sleeper Sedan ... - 2005 Audi S4
  By jerry123 - November 24 - 2:02 am

  The S4 goes like a bullet train - has prodigious grip, incredible high speed stability, corners like its on rails, very fast and linear power delivery. Just like a Subaru WRX STi, but without the boy racer image and better build quality. Also has low profile looks - literally re-defines the term "wolf in sheeps clothing". The S4 also has a true "Jekyl & Hyde" character, can be nice one minute and a total beast the next minute. Im still not sure why anyone would prefer a RWD over an AWD, especially when grip, stability and handling is important to piloting a ultra high performance sedan/coupe. I can see why FWD is inferior to an AWD/RWD, but RWD to AWD?