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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  WOW! - 2004 Audi A8
  By MPW - February 5 - 2:00 am

  This car is unbelievable! The exterior styling, interior layout/finish and performance are all best in the class. The sound system is best Ive ever heard, there is room for days in the front, back and trunk, and for a car its size, it handles better and is more responsive than the Porsche I traded in. I looked at the 7-Series and the S-Class and neither compared! Buy the Audi!

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  The Law Of Driving - 2004 Audi TT
  By TT Lawyer - February 5 - 2:00 am

  Although I have had the new and improved 250hp TT only a few months and the weather has not been so cooperative here in NY, I am thrilled about the power, the ride and excitement of this TT. It took a little getting used to the sporty ride but well worth it. The upgrades make this car, including the V6 and exterior lines. As indicated above the law of driving must include fun and excitement, tempered with thrills and some real guts. My new TT delivers.

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  Best Used Car Ever!!! - 1996 Audi A4
  By CamClark - February 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used just over a year ago. I have drove the heck out of it already putting more than 24,000 miles on it. No major problems, just a few leaks or normal maintainence. Unfortunately the dealership costs a fortune to fix anything. Average job costs about $500.

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  Goes in the snow - 1998 Audi A4
  By jjones5254 - February 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought this Audi AWD to get me home to the hill top I live on and it has exceeded expectations. It will go anywhere my 4x4 Explorer will with the exception of ground clearance. It is fun to drive here in western VA. Dealership has been good although not a cheap car to maintain. I bought with 87K and now have almost 120k. If you can afford it buy an Audi Certified car for the excellent 100k warranty. That is what I plan to do next.

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  The best car I have owned - 2000 Audi A6
  By bettedon - February 2 - 2:00 am

  The most fun car I have ever owned, beating 66 Barracuda and 90 Reatta. Havent begun to test the performance limits since I mostly abide by the law, but it takes corners awesomely. An amazing thing to me- mass flow detector and related items malfunctioned after 60000 mile warranty expired, I replaced. A few months ago Audi offered an extended warranty for this, easy way to reply. I banked the $515 check this week. Any other manufacturer doing this?

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  Great Driving Car - 2002 Audi A6
  By Dpedersen - February 2 - 2:00 am

  I have my 2002 A6 2.7T for 18 months now, and have loved every minute of it. There has been some concerns notes elsewhere about Audi reliability, so far the only trouble I have had was a bad windshield wiper (fixed for $0 of course). It is fun to drive, handles great (even in snow) and has a fantastic interior (looks great in the dark).

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  S4 Review - 2004 Audi S4
  By cayennes5 - February 1 - 2:00 am

  I have always owned Audis i traded in A Bmw M3 for this one what a great car fun to drive in the snow as well its amazing how much difference there is in the upgrade kind of hard to drive anything else. handling is very impressive in rain and snow.

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  Generally a great car - 1996 Audi A4
  By Blues listener - January 31 - 2:00 am

  Love the car. Im the third owner. I have had to replace the air conditioner, and recently, the transmission. That means I will be keeping it for at least a couple more years to recover those costs. It is in excellent shape and drives like a dream, so I have no problems with that. Warning: all problems should be addressed early when they show up.

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  Never Again!! - 1998 Audi A4
  By weeksmj38 - January 31 - 2:00 am

  I was in love with my Audi for the first four years. Now, in the past 18 months I have spent $7000 repairing it. First the water pump was leaking, then the heat exchanger went, now the car is in the shop gettin the tensioners replaced which is a $2200 job. Once this problem is fixed, I am selling the car and going back to Japanese cars - I cant afford this German engineering any longer!! The styling on this car is terrific, but its not worth the cost!

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  4 doors, 340 horse power, life is good! - 2004 Audi S4
  By Gasmanm5 - January 31 - 2:00 am

  What a great car! Tight, fast, great rumble, 4-doors- the ultimate wolf in sheeps clothing! Handling is excellent and the torque is ever present! The reviewer who gave it 5.5 stars must not have been hugged as a child! The m3 is a great car but so is this S4. I would take the M3 if I autocrossed frequently but for everyday driving in the northeast 4 season weather, the S4 is my choice.