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:

• 

  If Looks Could Kill! - 2004 Audi TT
  By Biggster - April 10 - 2:00 am

  We tested other roadsters and settled on the TT because it felt "tighter" in steering and suspension. We choose the 1.8L automatic only to discover that it has four modes: normal drive, sport drive, push shift, and steering wheel paddles (Ive never seen the latter mentioned in a review). The sport drive has higher shift points for a sound and feel identical to a manual transmission. And looks? The visual impact of our neon yellow TT with black roof is stunning! Heads turn when cars pass on the Interstate.

• 

  Rockin Rocket of a 4-door! - 2004 Audi S4
  By AudioFileZ - April 9 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this car for about 2.5 months and I still get excited everytime I get in and crank it. My exitement hasnt diminished a bit yet, in fact it has grown as I have learned to drive it (44yrs. old and never shifted gears before can you believe). This car is art. It is an amazing blend of ergonomic creature comfort, great looks, 4-door functionality, and unbelievable performance. It leaves very little left to add to the mix since it is so potent and so driveable.

• 

  Some Good..Some Not So Good - 2004 Audi A8
  By Leos team - April 9 - 2:00 am

  I drove everything in the class Q45, Very solid feel to the car. Have not had the need to truly work out the Quattro but it is nice to know it is 745,S500,LS430,XJR and the A8L won out with combination of performance, looks, roominess and value for the dollar. The 4 year maintenance included helped make the decision as well. My vehicle was ordered with convenience, cold weather, parktronic (a must)and 19" wheels. Much has been made of the harsh ride with the 19" wheels. I have not experienced a problem. Given their excellent look, I can deal with any minor lack of ride comfort.

• 

  Great car, terrible company - 2001 Audi A4
  By CT A4 - April 9 - 2:00 am

  I can think of very few things that I dont like about the actual car. Its fun to drive, the ecru/black interior looks great and is easy to keep clean, the trunk is huge for the cars size. However, I will never purchase another Audi again due to the HORRIBLE service provided by dealers and Audi of America. Everything is a hassle, from a simple oil change to getting a loaner car. The warranty does not limit the amount of alignments that can be performed during the warranty period, however Audi will now only allow 1 per year...what a sham. Ive dealt with 2 different dealerships with the same (low) level of satisfaction.

• 

  S6Avant - 2002 Audi S6
  By horch - April 8 - 2:00 am

  I have owned a number of Audis over the last twenty years and this certainly has intended acceleration.

• 

  The New Standard - 2004 Audi S4
  By SAaudi - April 8 - 2:00 am

  I have to say the new S4 is the most complete package available. Audi has mastered doing everything well: excellent fit/finish, top notch performance, class-leading crash tests, and the price is right. Just feel the materials, touch buttons, open and close things. Top Gear in England ran the S4 around a track a full one second faster than the M3 (1 second is an eternity in racing). It was nearly on pace with the Lambo Murcielago. So dont think youre getting less of a sports car than the M3. Its actually quicker and a bit more refined. Best car Ive ever owned.

• 

  Great Car with a Fatal Flaw - 2004 Audi S4
  By msp - April 8 - 2:00 am

  Great fit and finish, great power but what is it with the throttle response? So much delay you can stomp to the floor and let off before anything happens. Worse than a turbo. When it does finally get going it keeps on going even after you start easing off. Not safe in a car with this much power! Gives new meaning to "Unintended Acceleration". Evaluate carefully before you buy!

• 

  Audi TT roadster - 2004 Audi TT
  By JennyH500 - April 8 - 2:00 am

  I just got this car not even a week ago and I absolutly love it!!! It is so much fun to drive and I love all the features.

• 

  Stonking engine - 2004 Audi S4
  By Chippy - April 7 - 2:00 am

  I have been totally delighted with my S4. Its supremely well built, handles superbly and is great fun to drive - especially on quieter roads where you can race through the gears. But be warned, this is not just a fast German limo its a serious handling lump and the drive can be quite "involving". That could mean tiring to some. The suspension is *firm* and on poor roads at speed, you will be thrown around a bit. Taming the vast amount of torque through the manual gearbox takes some practice too - smooth changes are not to be taken for granted! But overall, a fabulous car

• 

  Great mid-size sport sedan - 2003 Audi A4
  By utex - April 6 - 10:00 am

  The Audi A4 is a blast to drive. Its amazing that a 4 cylinder can feel so much like a 6. This car has the power to get up and go. But, sometimes it does lag. The car is comfortable, with really nice features. The attention to detail Audi did with this car is nice. The car looks great...and is a real bargain for under 30K. The only bad things are that you dont have power seats or stereo controls on the steering wheel.