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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  So Far, So Good!!! - 1999 Audi A4
  By jareda80 - March 14 - 2:00 am

  I recently purchased my 99 1/2 2.8 Quattro 5 spd. and love it (1,000 miles in just over a week). I drove a 1.8T and my 6 cylinder is much smoother and much quieter. I also recommend the 5 spd. if you enjoy really driving your car. The tiptronic seems sloppy on upshifts and just doesnt have hands on feel of the manual. The quattro glues the car to the road no matter the conditions, a must here in Utah. I traded in a 98 Mercedes C280 Sport and my Audi not only outperforms the MB its interior is also more luxurious in my opinion.

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  2.7T - 2000 Audi A6
  By Ru-Du-Du - March 13 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car for safety (roof airbag) and power. I am definitely not disappointed. Love the way it takes curves and hugs the black top and with extra turbo power it moves like a dream! Had minor oil leak, fixed with no problems.

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  Loved BMWs but Audi WON it now - 2002 Audi A4
  By HK - March 12 - 10:00 am

  The car has been all and more than I expected. Looked at BMW 330xi, Jag X and Volvo V 60. Narowed to Audi and BMW ended with Audi. Chose over the BMW because of price and got sick of the show off name and past experience of owning BMWs (cost and reliability durring and after waranty). Free maintenace (inludes all Brakes, Wipers etc.) that BMW did not have.

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  too less horses - 2003 Audi A4
  By caligulanj - March 12 - 10:00 am

  Quality made. Looks great. But the engine is a failure. Below 2200rmp nothing moves. Then, when the Turbo kicks in engine gets VERY noisy. This car has deserved a much better engine. Advice to Audi: take the 1.8T out and replace it with VWs VR6 from the GTI

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  A6 4.2 Perfect Driving Car - 2003 Audi A6
  By valerie - March 12 - 2:00 am

  One of the best cars I have ever owned and a great fun car to drive. There are three in extended family, and we love them!

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  S6 Avant - 1995 Audi S6
  By lemans - March 11 - 2:00 am

  Outstanding vehicle!! Safe, fast and usefull.

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  Best car purchase Ive ever made! - 2003 Audi TT
  By ScottNJ - March 11 - 2:00 am

  I first saw the Audi TT concept car in an auto magazine in 1995 and thought it was just another concept car that was exactly what I wanted, but would never make it to market. Happily, I was wrong! It’s now a year after I purchased my 225 HP Quattro TT Roadster, and I still get the same thrill driving it I did the day I took it home. Let me add by saying that driving the TT at dusk with the top down is about as close to automotive heaven as I have ever come. And, you’ll definitely turn several heads with this car. The styling has turned more then a few heads and the baseball glove interior is also a conversation piece at social get- togethers.

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  Unhappy A8L Owner - 2003 Audi A8
  By DontBuyAnAudi - March 10 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has been in the shop 3 times since I leased it on 2/1/03 for various problems. The tire pressure warning light came on the very first day I had the car (tire pressure sensors were ultimately replaced). The fuel gage was faulty and I ran out of gas while the gage read 1/3 tank full ("fuel gage sender" was ultimately replaced). The check engine light came on the very next day after having picked up the car from the shop the second time. It would not hold an idle and died unless I kept my foot on the gas ("instrument cluster" was replaced). The navigation system shorted ("navigation cd assembly" was replaced).

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  audi a4 - 1999 Audi A4
  By bhardt - March 10 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. Very reliable, very fun to drive, it is my daily driver as well as my weekend autocross car. Takes everything I dish out and only asks regular maintenance in return.

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  Audi doesnt get it yet - 2003 Audi S6
  By mountains - March 7 - 2:00 am

  The car is really fun to drive, but the front seats are not the Recaros with the adjustable thigh bolster that the manual shows and there is very little thigh support. The real problem is Audi dealers. They never tell the whole truth when you buy the car - every deal is a one- shot relationship. Until Audi gets its dealers to act like human beings, buying and owning an Audi will be a constant source of irritation and frustration. Is it worth it? With all the competing products on the market, I doubt it. Audi dealers are the worst I have ever encountered.