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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  Ausgezeichneter! - 2005 Audi S4
  By WilliamStivelman - November 12 - 2:42 am

  I bought this car after erroneously purchasing an M3 and owning it for 49 days. While the BMW is a superb- handling and braking race car, it is not liveable for the long haul. Its impossible to shift smoothly. Its ergonomics are variable, at best fair. The seat is fair for a tall driver. The S4, on the other hand, is a breath of fresh air. Its controls are logical logical and pragmatic. Its handling is elegantly sublime, and its power, the POWER, well, its unbelievable. The shifter carves to perfection. The car has a buttery smooth feel. The build quality is far better than VWs already excellent mid- priced siblings.

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  3.2 vs. 2.0T - 2006 Audi A4
  By marc - November 11 - 10:40 pm

  My fouth A4 was a 2006 2.0T 6MT, my first 4 cylinder car in awhile. This machine was neck snapping quick and great fun to drive but the 4 cyl was a bit noisey and coarse for me. I traded it for the 3.26MT [crazy!]and prefer the smoother operation and sweeter engine and exhaust tones. Either is great fun and a relative bargain. For refinement try the 6 cyl. Saving cash the 2.0T is a blast and great on gas.

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  Most Exciting Car I have ever owned - 2005 Audi TT
  By marcdemeis - November 11 - 1:28 pm

  I still get excited every single time I get into this car. It is such a joy to drive and this thing can really fly if you spend about $500 on a performance chip. But anyway, it turns heads and is just a blast to drive. It is so unique.

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  Bought it at 50,000 miles and lovin it! - 1998 Audi A4
  By Do - November 11 - 6:07 am

  I purchased a 1998 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro Sedan with 50,000 miles on it. Everything still works great. This car has a smooth ride. The turbo could be stronger though. Other than that im lovin it!

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  all in all satisfied but not perfect - 2004 Audi A4
  By mpteke - November 10 - 7:31 pm

  Ive driven a dolphin grey quatro A4 for about 7 months which now has 14,000 miles. The only car I measured it up to before purchase was a BMW 325. All in all I am very satisfied about my purchase however the driver side window sometimes rolls back down on its own when I push it to roll up. Other than that no problems worth noting. I feel very safe in this car for me and my family.

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  Performance and luxury - 2004 Audi S4
  By Peter04S4 - November 10 - 2:39 pm

  This car is the ultimate combination of sports and luxury. While its not quite as sporty as BMWs M3, it is far more comfortable. Not to mention that quattro makes it a true year-round practical performance car.

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  Great Design, Poor Reliability - 2003 Audi A4
  By Singlemalt - November 10 - 2:05 pm

  I want to love this car, but the manufacturing reliability is quite poor. Ive had numerous electrical problems, with the brake lights, stereo, and fuel injection. There is annoying squeaking noise in the left front suspension. The design and ergonomics of the car are outstanding, but I will never buy another Audi, because I dont trust the car will work for the long-haul and I dont want to have to take into the service department on a monthly basis.

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  Like it alot - 2004 Audi A8
  By Rickster - o - Rama - November 10 - 6:06 am

  After 1200 miles, still honeymooning, I have had zero initial problems. I chose the Audi after considering the 745, Lexus LS 430, and believe it or not, the X5 and Toureg. The 745 was closest but after really working at it, I remained confounded by the BMW iDrive system. I am a technology geek and this was over the edge. The MMI interface on the Audi is much more intuitive, but you do have to be a person willing to live with it for a week of daily use until you get the knack of it. The LS 430 was too stodgy looking, the X5 interior kludgy, and the Toureg was too funny looking for my taste. So, the A8L it was, and man am I happy about it.

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  Wish it had DSG - 2006 Audi A4
  By cal_tyke - November 9 - 5:50 pm

  I used to drive a Passat V6 sedan FWD with auto transmission, and this Audi A4 is significantly better in all respects, but it should be - considering the 6 years and $10,000 list price difference. Havent had any quality problems with the car, it feels very solid and dependable. The manual gearbox is a bit of a clunker, not exactly the quick light box I remember from a 3-series BMW. After 4000 miles it doesnt show much sign of easing up, and gear changes can be a bit rough. Also the steering is a bit heavy compared with a 3-series, but that could I guess be due to the Quattro 4WD? Overall, a very impressive car with a great engine. Goes well and sips fuel.

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  So far so Good! - 2003 Audi A6
  By Grad - November 9 - 12:08 pm

  Recently purchased a 2003, 2.7T A6. The car is so much fun to drive. Very glad that I purchased this car rather than a BMW. I can not wait for snow to drive in with the quattro wheel drive. With the quattro, the fuel economy is slightly less than I am used to as I have been getting about 20mpg wwith mixed use driving.