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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  Overall Great Experience - 1999 Audi A6
  By Trademkr - June 30 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Audi. Love the A6. Very stable vehicle in snow and rain. A pleasure to drive. I would compare it with the much more expensive E - class Mercedes. Highly recommend

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  Never Again - 1998 Audi A4
  By badchoice - June 30 - 2:00 am

  I will never by another Audi. This vehicle has had several major mechanical issues, and the manufacturer has refused to cover them since it is out of warranty. A vehicle in this class with relatively low mileage should not have these issues (and our Infiniti doesnt). It is the most unreliable vehicle Ive ever purchased. I know several other owners who had similar experiences.

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  2001 Audi A4 2.8 - 2001 Audi A4
  By snookyanne - June 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car a week ago and 1 day later the radio buttons went out, a headlight wire was loose and the cupholder needed to be replaced because it stuck. The radio was also replaced. I wonder what is next and am afraid to take it on a long trip for fear something will stop working.

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  The Best High End Car EVER! - 2001 Audi S8
  By dante - June 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned a Mercedes-Benz S600, a BMW 745i, and a Rolls-Royce and I can say that if your looking for a car that not only has enough power to blow off a Corvette and enough room for 5 people, this is your car. I love driving it, its like a dream! Much better than my gas hog V-12 Mercedes. (although not quite as comfortable) Ive had no problems with mine so far and am very happy with my purchase!

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  Great Audi If taken care of. - 1997 Audi A4
  By trevor - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This car was my first Audi. I am very pleased that the car was taken care of by the first owner, which made it a whole lot better looking. I love the quattro. The only problem is that for a v6 there is not a whole lot of power, but then again your powering all 4 wheels. The traction and handling are GREAT. VERY PLEASED. But the Germans forgot that some Americans live in the heat and not in the snow so It has a tough time cooling itself down. The only thing that I did not like were the strips of plastic/metal on each door. They rot away easily and are a $100 to replace. But a great car.

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  2005 Audi A6 - the car to beat! - 2005 Audi A6
  By Scarsone - June 26 - 10:50 pm

  I spent a considerable amount of time researching, reading every review, test driving as many vehicles as I could in this class. I knew from the moment I sat behind the wheel of the A6 that this was the car for me. So far - Ive had the car for half a week - and I have been very impressed with the ride and pickup of the 3.2L engine. The distinctive front end and elegant rear have drawn a lot of looks and compliments from friends & strangers. Although every car in this class has very similar technology (bluetooth, nav, RF keys, etc. I have been very impressed with the integration of this technology in the A6 - very effective and valuable while remaining, most importantly, easy to use

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  I am having too much fun - 2004 Audi A4
  By barz - June 25 - 10:00 am

  I drove both 325 and A4 and decided that there wasnt much difference between the handling, and went for more bang for the money. The car handles great, really good pick up, and excellent fuel economy. And most of all, it is a fun car to drive. I needed some getting used to the CVT, but now that I am used to the smoothness, I am really happy with it.

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  Audi A8L 2004 -- Audi hit a homerun - 2004 Audi A8
  By jeff G - June 25 - 2:00 am

  The car looks great and drives even better -- first real experience with a luxury car and am totally impressed. The car has class written all over it without the glitz of the S Class or 7 Series. Great car for those of us that appreciate quality and elegance but dont need to pay a premium for an inferior "better known" car (Mercedes/BMW). Well worth the wait!

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  I had a bad experience - 2003 Audi A6
  By Richard the 3rd - June 25 - 2:00 am

  I hope this gets through to some people, I have owned American cars most of my life and have had no issues up to now. I bought an Audi A6 in 2002 and since that time both the turbo and transmission have gone bad, I had issues with my tachometer staying accurate as well, anyone else have some defects like this?? Its just a hassle

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  Audi TT - 2001 Audi TT
  By gharrower - June 25 - 2:00 am

  While it isnt a Porsche, its a great sports car. And living in the Midwest I love it in the winter...with winter snow tires Ive never had a problem with snow its as sure footed as a mountain goat. With Z rated summer tires its more fun to drive than anything Ive been in before.