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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  Pure! - 2003 Audi A6
  By David321 - March 29 - 2:00 am

  I have never felt performance quite like this and I have owned many cars. I by a new sports sedan every two to three years because I want the newest technology. For the first time, I will never try another brand. I may buy the newest Audi in three years, but never another. I have tried mercedes (hello?) and BMW (awesome, too). But this car 00 an Audi A6 3.0 feels like it has claws in the road. Its not as fast as my previous car (BMW 525) but it handles much better. . . and its only slower from 0-60 not 45-75. Then its a dead heat. I prefer handle anytime!~

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  Fun, but should be better - 2001 Audi S4
  By Mr. 50 BMG - March 28 - 2:00 am

  The car looks wonderful, inside and out. Build quality is excellent. Performance with the Tiptronic and with no chip mods is fast, but not wickedly fast. In city driving, I am getting from 19 to 21 mpg and I have reached a steady 28-30 mpg on 70mph freeways (you can get 32+ mpg if you choose to drive 60mph in the right lane with the trucks). It is a heavy car (~3500 pounds), but that is to be expected in an all-wheel drive vehicle.

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  The new S4 - 2004 Audi S4
  By Sharpie - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Awesome car. It has lived up to every promise that Audi has made. The V8 power combined with the all wheel drive handling combine to make quite a thrilling ride. The exhaust note is "evil" sounding and adds even more adrenaline when you punch it. If you can find one, Id buy it.

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  First Audi, added another already. - 2016 Audi A6
  By Luckyme - March 25 - 10:30 pm

  Ive been in the automotive manufacturing sector ( worked for a major transplant automotive manufacturer in the 80s and owned a supply company for 27 years ) so Ive always had a love affair for great automobiles. Ive admired the Audis for a few years, so once I retired and not now tied to a major customer auto brand, I traded my Lexus LS for the A6. I was impressed with the style, handling, driving dynamics, quality of manufacturing, interior materials, fit and finish, fuel economy, and layout. After 4500 miles, Im still as pleased as with day 1. This car is a pleasure to drive, has lots of power from the 3.0, quiet and fun to drive. At first, I hated the pop-up info display, but have warmed up to it nicely. Once your all set with climate control, music, etc., you can allow it to disappear, and the looks of the dash is so streamlined compared to the huge screens on most other luxury vehicles. Good sized rear seating, and trunk for a car of this size. My wife liked my A6 so much, she got the A8L a couple months ago.

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  bmw mercedes killer - 2003 Audi S8
  By david sikes - March 25 - 2:00 am

  Excellent handling with quattro weather is minimized. Fun to drive and very nimble for a large, very luxurious sedan. This car is a real head turner and no manufacturer does interiors like Audi.

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  super high tech performer - 2001 Audi TT
  By jdipoalasr - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Had only two minor mechanical problems repaired under warranty with excellent customer service to include a free loaner until completed.

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  Everything youve heard is true - 1998 Audi A4
  By compcond - March 21 - 2:00 am

  Purchased new all service done by Audi dealers. Traded at 49,000 miles and $5,700 in non-warranted repairs... 6 instrument panels, 4 batteries, engine computer, climate control computer, catalytic converter, steering rack, cam shaft tensioner seals, stereo, 2 speakers, coolant reservoir, coolant temperature sensor, fuel guage sending unit, turn signal stalk, turn signal flasher, tiptronic switch, passenger-seat bushings, 2 passenger side CV boots, alternator, EGR secondary return pipe.

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  Make Sure You Have a Replacment Car - 1998 Audi A4
  By Live & Learn - March 21 - 2:00 am

  Least reliable car I have ever owned. Most expensive to repair car I have ever owned. Broken timing belt cost me over 6K to repair and it was 3 months at the dealer before I saw it again. Headlight switch goes out twice a year...every year. Front end is too low to the ground, gets pulled off by parking blocks. Bad weld on engine needed repair. Water pump, fan clutch, electric fan, ball joints, window washer pump, among repairs I can recall.

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  The Mother of all Sports Coupes - 2003 Audi TT
  By daninoah - March 20 - 2:00 am

  This car has been out since 2000, and it still turns heads. It has a great engine sound. The car is very fast. It might not beat a 350z or GS Coupe 6MT, but its styling and build quality blow away any similarly priced sport coupe. The seats are firm. The gears are short and easy to find. The turbo lag is negligible. The quattro handling is like nothing youve ever experienced. One would have to be very reckless and make many mistakes to get into trouble with this car. The car is solidly built and can be driven every day.

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  Tons of Fun! - 2001 Audi TT
  By golfdoctor - March 20 - 2:00 am

  Great car, nothing but tons of fun on the roadways. After three years of being on the market, the body style is still unique and catches the eye and approval of all. Easily fits two sets of golf clubs in back which make it a very practical sports car. The TT does not have the same raw quickness and feel as a frinds BMW Z3 3.0 , but not many cars do. The TT certainly has enough get up and go and roadhugging guts to satify all but the most experienced and trained drivers. Second and third gearswhen pushed through the 2000-6000 RPM range is quite a rush. I cant wait til the new V8 Audi A4 hits the showroom!