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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  FUN CAR - 2002 Audi A6
  By RickyB - November 7 - 2:00 am

  THIS CAR HANDLES GREAT. A VERY SMOOTH RIDE AND A GREAT AMOUNT OF POWER. THE UPPER LEVEL A6S ARE ONLY ABOUT A 1/2 SEC. FASTER 0-60. LOVE THE CVT TRANSMISSION WHEN IT IS USED RIGHT AND INTERESTING AT OTHER TIMES. ALREADY HAD TO BEREPLACED AT 10000K,LUCKILY UNDER WARRANTY.NOISEY SUNROOF WHEN CLOSED ALL YEAR ROUND. OTHERWISE GREAT CAR.

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  Puts a smile on my face everytime - 2002 Audi A4
  By intastella - November 7 - 2:00 am

  Overall this car is great. The design of the interior and exterior is second to none. Minimalist with depth is the best way I can describe it. It is truly the cars best feature. The seats are tight and spartan (base vinyl package), which does not bother me but annoyed others. The CVT drive is smooth as silk at speed but off the line it can jump. I have learned to control the acceleration better though I suppose since it rarely happens now. The low end torque leaves something to be desired but once the turbo kicks in you are off to the races, i.e. 1 second after you hit the accelerator.

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  Dont do it! - 1999 Audi A4
  By madowner - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Everything was fine for three years. The honeymoon is over. After maintaining the car to the letter and taking it to the dealer for regularly scheduled maintenance, the engine light came on. As a fluke I took it to a reputable independent mechanic who said the car looked like it had 150K on it when it barely has 50K - catalytic converter, control arm bushings, engine mounts, rear disc differentials, oxygen sensor and more. He recommended I take it back to the dealer. The dealer said it wasnt their problem. Audi refuses to cover everything except the catalytic converter. Im now looking at $4K worth of maintenance.

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  Very happy - 2000 Audi A6
  By DMH - November 5 - 2:00 am

  My husband and I have owned Audi cars for 20 years. He currently drives the S8 I love this car. I am the original owner and have had no problems with it. I had problems with previous Audis but this one I ordered custom. Perhaps that made a difference or maybe they have finally addressed a few of their quality issues.

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  TT 225 - 2004 Audi TT
  By nissim Sasson - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Yhis car is exelent great performance nad fun one ofthe most fuin i the market

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  not too bad - 2002 Audi A4
  By shukri sharabi - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I purchesed the A4 AWD auto in december 2002 in florida $3,000 below sticker price, knowing that I am relocating to washington, where awd would be usefull and dealers will not budge $500.00, it sure serves the purpose during rainy days, had to replace the master cylinder so far (warranty), the car looks great without even the 17" wheels and sports package.

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  Pathetic Reliability - 2002 Audi A6
  By demoralized - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Great car if you want to know your service dealer really well as car is in shop over 35 days/15 months for a variety of mechanical problems, some of which can not be fixed even after 5 attempts.

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  Great value for high end car!!! - 2001 Audi A8
  By xios - November 3 - 2:00 am

  Car drives like a dream. Its a little slow off the line, but when it gets going, wow! Lots of room and many upgrades. You must consider when, looking in the large sedan category.

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  Buy at own risk - 1998 Audi A6
  By g123 - November 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car new, and it spent more time in service or waiting for service than it did on the road. Had ~30K in warentee work done over the 3 years I had it, finally traded in for a new Honda. It was bearly running when it was traded. Really expect more from Audi, never again. It even straded me 3 times.

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  A cute, exciting lemon - 1999 Audi A4
  By jedison - November 2 - 2:00 am

  This car is lots of fun to drive and the front seats are reasonably comfortable. The rear seats are really only for children and small adults. Unfortunately, as soon as this car came out of warranty numerous problems cropped up. Audi USA has been nothing short of terrible in terms of responding to our concerns. No more audis for us. I would suggest only purchasing this car with an extended warranty that includes coverage for gaskets and leaks.