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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  The renaissance vehicle - 2001 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By DJ95070 - March 7 - 10:00 am

  The allroad has been flawless. Great handling. Most impressive AWD system. Gets me from the coast to the coldest and snowiest places faster than any other vehicle - for the third year in a row. After 40k miles, its proven itself. Gas mileage has been 21.5mpg average for all my driving - and I love to accelerate!

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  Nothing comes close - 2004 Audi A4
  By Norby - March 7 - 2:00 am

  There is NO other car with interiors to match Audis quality and design. This was a huge factor in picking it over competition. 10 out of 10! Exterior is outstanding as well. I get tons of compliments, and this is a station wagon! Very modern, organic design thatll hold up over time.Car is quiet as a lexus, even at 80+mph. Smooth ride, good brakes. Performance is good. Of course it could use more power. Very well balanced in corners for such a heavy car. Quattro makes it fun in snow and rain. Cargo area is very usefull.Hauled 27 retaining wall blocks home from Home Depot with not problems. Great soundsystem, excellent controls and guages.

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  top pick - 2002 Audi A4
  By unfairadvantage - March 5 - 10:00 am

  The a4 and the 3 series seem to be in somewhat of a battle to be THE german car in the size. Having done a lot of reading on both cars before making any desision, i noticed that all the magazines comparing the two seemed to favor the audi but yet still chose the bimmer? accepting this at face value and driving both cars, you notice both have a lot to offer. 2 advantages to the audi, are, 1)its not the cookie cutter norm. and 2)the car has a personality about it that you instantly connect with. if given a fair chance i feel that audi should rank higher buck for buck, if it would only get the media recognition it deserved....

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  Right Brain Meets Left Brain - 2004 Audi A4
  By klmitch - March 1 - 10:00 am

  This car has probably the best combination of attributes among sports sedans that will appeal to both right-brained and left-brained people. For left brainers, theres the super- smooth, cutting-edge CVT transmission that doesnt sap engine power to achieve creamy smoothness (I previously drove sticks); absence of torque steer; superb handling and value versus BMW (I paid the same for this as I did for a 2001 BMW 325i with fewer options and smaller engine). For right- brainers,theres the clean exterior lines with an aesthetically superior interior design and quality of materials that cant be matched in any price class.

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  What a ride! - 2001 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Inquisitor - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for about 3 1/2 years now, and its been great- the best car Ive ever owned. Twin turbo engine mated to AWD and a variable suspension lead to a car both fast (got my first ticket in 10 years in this car) AND utilitarian. I still get looks and the best comment I ever heard was from a little kid who pointed and said, "Daddy, thats a cool-looking car!" Aside from usual wear, there have been very few problems. Im switching out now, but only because I miss having a manual transmission (which is available for this car- what a mistake not getting it!).

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  wonderful - 2006 Audi A3
  By UCLA Driver - February 18 - 11:10 pm

  I have had this car for about three weeks and I love it. Coming from a Camry family it has been like traveling to a new world with the amount of handling and road grip the Audi has especially on the winding souther california roads. The powerseats of the premium are really the only things I wish I could have withy my sports package. But really, the interior is classy and functional, the leather doesnt get really hot in the sun, and I have black ext. and black int. The only thing you have to get used to is that the car is slightly jumpy when you hit the gas, and when you park it rolls a couple of inches. The other options I got were the open sky and xenon headlights and the DSG.

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  Tempermental Performer - 2001 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By LASurf - February 14 - 12:30 am

  Bought mine used with 35K. Ive had a few problems from the suspension airbags to drive seals and electrical bugs. Car is now at 70K. It is a highly engineered car that is also intended as a rugged vehicle. Maybe too much for the billing. It can be costly to keep but it does run hard, always looks good and is differentiated even from new cars. It is feature rich and the fit-n-finish quality evident. Depending on driving patterns, off-road etc. the air suspension, brakes and cooling systems can be faulty. You do have the turbo lag and heavy transmission shifting that the manual tiptronic addresses. The car is a beast in wet or snowy conditions and runs well in cold weather and desert.

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  Total Satisfaction - 2003 Audi A4
  By biguneatsza - February 10 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely satisfied with the A4. Its fun to drive, looks great and is extremley comfortable in all situations. While not blazingly fast off the line, its incredibly quick from 30mph up.

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  Great A4 - 2006 Audi A4
  By ROY - February 5 - 2:43 am

  I enjoy cycling and skiing, and spend a lot of time on weekends driving to pursue my interests. Things that are very important to me are: good all weather capability, fun to drive, room for all my gear, and fuel economy. After exhausting myself with test drives and research, I narrowed the field down to BMW X5 3.0 and the A4. I went with the A4, and admit that it was a very tough decision. After a few months of ownership, the A4 has exceeded my expectations in all areas. Truly a great car, my first Audi, but not my last!

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  My opinion - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By RDWILLIA - February 4 - 10:00 am

  Solid ride,ease of access and easy view of all controls (both daylight and nighttime.DriverÂ’s seat and passenger seat have power adjustable.The driver has lumbar suprt. Stiffness of ride can be adjusted. The higher you raise the car softer it is. Lowest great for highway. In town raise it one setting so it will smooth out city potholes. It has twin turboÂ’s but that unfortunately includes turbo lag, which can be compensated for by using the Tip-tronic shifting when necessary. My car came with ESP and handles like its on rails. ItÂ’s an SUV with touring car comfort. Versatile.