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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  1998 Cabriolet in UK - 1995 Audi Cabriolet
  By Lee J C - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive wanted one of these for a long time. Difficult to find with low mileage these days over here in UK. ITs a pleasure to drive. And they hold their price well! Always turns heads.

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  My A4Q experience - 1998 Audi A4
  By J Wright - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Overall it has been a very pleasant experience, except for dealing with the dealerships. Very difficult to tell if you will receive good or poor experience and it varies between dealerships as well. The car itself has been fine in the snow, and the gas mileage isnt bad for a 4wd car. Great looks and comfortable interior. Wish it had more power though...

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  1999 Audi A4 1.8T - 1999 Audi A4
  By Paul1985 - October 6 - 2:00 am

  This is a GREAT car. This car handles like it is on rails if you have the sport suspension. Ride is a bit hard if you have the sports package. The engine is very powerful for its size, and it gets great fuel economy.

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  Nice Car - 2004 Audi A8
  By unkadocka - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Luxury inside and out. Everything you could want in a luxury performance car.

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  Scare the kids with this powerfull V8 - 2001 Audi A6
  By DETIGEL - October 6 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used with 7000 miles on it at the audi dealership, audi assured warranty gives me peace of mind. The ride is great overall, super responsive, smooth, fast, but with the standard 16" wheels, handling is a bit spungy, I upgraded to 18" rs4 wheels w/ bridgetone potenza s-03 pole position tires (great tires for this car, though Id get lighter wheels if I do this again. Actually I would buy this car only with the sport package, as the standard seats dont provide adequate support, especially for the passengers. The kids love the car (we have 2 and actually like having two sculpted seats in the back).

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  Fun car, but more rattles than a maraca - 2001 Audi TT
  By BillinCO - October 6 - 2:00 am

  I loved, absolutely loved my Audi TT. Great ride, handled beautifully, absolutely WONDERFUL performance with the 225 HP 1.8T - I never had a moment where I wished the car had MORE power. Grip was wonderful in the snow, the interior design was absolutely classic. However, I eventually had to sell it due to just too many recurring rattles that made it feel like you were driving a vehicle much cheaper than you were.

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  Fun car, but expensive maintenance - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By wjc - October 4 - 8:10 pm

  A really fun car to drive and very convenient for all activities. I can put my bike or kayak on the roof rack, and even slide my bike in the back with the seat down. Great options, love the back-up beeper, heated seats, etc. My only issues are the less than stellar gas mileage, especially when using premium gas (pricey) and maintenance and repairs are VERY pricey once the 50K warranty and maintenance plans expire.

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  Timeless Car - 1997 Audi Cabriolet
  By Multiple Audi Owner - October 3 - 2:00 am

  This car is now 6 years old, and still draws attention when its parked with the top down. The design is absolutely timeless: it looks like it was carved out of a single block of steel. The 2.8 engine (Audis pre-5 valves per cylinder model) with 170 horses will not rocket this heavy car off the line, but thats not the point of the Cabriolet. Its a classic cruiser, and it fills that role beautifully. I will keep it 20 years.

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  Best of All Worlds - 2000 Audi A6
  By Multiple Audi Owner - October 3 - 2:00 am

  We already have two other Audis, and bought a used 2000 A6 Avant (coming off lease) this past summer. Great car. Like all recent Audis, the best fit & finish, interior and exterior design in the business. This is by far the best looking wagon in North America (my sister owns a Merc E class wagon, and admits my cars superior style / design). This car is very comfortable on long hauls, and has great space for my three dogs. Superbly crafted, with lots of nice touches (double cargo mats, sun shade, retractable cargo net, etc.). Totally different in ride character from my 2001 A4 2.8Q (both do what they do quite well!).

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  2004 A8 - 2004 Audi A8
  By rLyn - October 3 - 2:00 am

  This car is outstanding. The quality, ride and performance are superior to any car I have driven. They figured out how to make a luxury car perform like a sports car. It is far superior to my 2000 A8 - no comparison really. It took me about a week to fully master the MMI - not bad - and now I marvel at all it can do so easily.