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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  Perfect - 1996 Audi A4
  By add - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for three years, and it is the best. I have enjoy my A4 more than any other car.

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  A sneaky hot rod - 2000 Audi A6
  By AspenRob - June 2 - 2:00 am

  This car is just plain fun to drive with more power/acceleration than youll ever need ... unless youre a serious racer.

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  I Love my TT - 2003 Audi TT
  By grod - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I have had no problems, and have loved every mile I have driven the car. I had trouble believing that I did not need to take the car back to the dealer for 10,000 miles or one year and changed the oil after 2,500 miles and about 6 months. It is not awesome in speed, I had a 911 before and this car does not have the same torque, but it is quick and it is fun.

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  A6 Nice Daily Driver - 1996 Audi A6
  By MissmyAudiGT - May 31 - 2:00 am

  Nice daily driver / commuter car. Nice steady feel, similar to much heavier & larger 96 BMW 740i (except less power). Although car was purchased w/ 87K mi, still performs as new. Excellent acceleration response between 50 - 85 mph range.

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  Best in its class - 2002 Audi TT
  By 2tuffTT - May 31 - 2:00 am

  I just took an early retirement and bought this as my toy, with my wifes approval. This car is the most fun to drive since I had a 67 shelby GT 500. Every time I take it out I receive comments from total strangers. NO regrets at all.

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  Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop - 1999 Audi A6
  By Pmontero - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Relatively pain-free an absolute joy to drive. Originally a SoCal car, now in Michigan, the quattro has impressed. Fuel sending unit recall early on, expecting more trouble never had it. Only other odd thing: Rear pads lasting about half as long as fronts and the rotors not being "turn-able" despite catching pads early. My Jetta VR6 is MUCH more problematic Doubt Ill buy A6 after lease is up 7/03 just for fear of what Ill be up for. Oh, yeah. Leatherette interior, no seat heaters, no BOSE, no moonroof makes this cars residual a joke (but original deal bettered V70).

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  audi A-6Quatto - 1997 Audi A6
  By Robert C Dart - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Audi 1997 A-6 Quatto is a real dream to drive. It corners well, has excellent pick-up. Looks like and is often mistaken for a new car due to excellent paint job& body style. The car has been very reliable & low maintence

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  Audi Quattro Allroad - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Jim D - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, Technically superior to any vehicle I have driven

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  Buyer Beware - 2001 Audi A4
  By evilpettingzoo27 - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive only owned the car for a few months and have had it die on me twice. All 2001 Audis have faulty engine coils, mine have broken twice already and supposedely have now all been replaced with new non-faulty coils. In the process a tow truck ripped off my front spoiler and I fought with them for over two moths for replacement compensation. My dealership was unsympathetic and useless. I bought the car based on reliability and customer service, I have found both to be completely lacking and unsatisfactory. Never buy an Audi without the original warranty remaining. Instead, go buy a Lexus or Acura, thats what Ill be doing next.

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  Awesome Roadster - 2001 Audi TT
  By fischetg - May 30 - 2:00 am

  This is one awesome vehicle! I appreciate the feeling of control driving under all weather conditions. With the baseball glove leather seats, the interior is a work of art. Fuel economy is about 30MPG on the highway and it is quite the head-turner. This is my third Audi, and reliability has been outstanding with all three cars.