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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  Oh my word! FAST! - 2000 Audi S4
  By Nancy K. - February 12 - 2:00 am

  Bought this rocket ship in April of 2000. Ever since, it has been the fastest, coolest car ever. I can beat almost any car on the road if I wanted to, (except for some Ferraris or Porsches or Maseratis) but it is the fastest, most luxirios sedan out there! I drove it out of the dealership amazed at how fast it is. The bi-turbo engine is wonderful. The interior is also luxirious, like all Audis. This is my second Audi my first was a 1996 A4.

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  My 1999 A-8 - 1999 Audi A8
  By KEITH HARTMAN - February 11 - 2:00 am

  A delight to drive. And a horror to bring to the Audi shop. Their idea of pricing is unreal. The major problem is suspension parts, obvious if you change your own oil as I do. Every carrying arms has electronic sensors, it appears. Nothing wears out without a whole subassembly to replace it. Most awful: a broken headlight lens cost $1100 to replace -- what? -- a light assembly going deep into the engine compartment. That aside, this is the best car Ive owned (second best was a 1994 Audi 5000 stick shift, just as pretty in the driveway!).

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  Stealth and style - 2002 Audi S8
  By Pugboy - February 11 - 2:00 am

  Fast, handsome, unobtrusive, the S8 gets my vote for any long-distance car trip. Seats and legroom are excellent. Acceleration from 65 to 85 (or from 85 to 105 -- but I wouldnt know) is tremendous. The price you pay is poor gas mileage. We love the interior layout and materials. Light on its feet for a large car. Grippy tires, stiff suspension. Excellent sound system. Huge trunk.

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  Audi A8 L - 2002 Audi A8
  By Sean McKinley - February 11 - 2:00 am

  The car is beautiful on the inside, but, the outside design is somewhat bland. The car handles wonderfully and is a lot of fun to drive, especially in sport mode.

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  Works for me. - 2000 Audi A6
  By Johnny Payroll - February 11 - 2:00 am

  This car is a blast to drive. Whether your cruising in town or on the highway youll ride in comfort. The drivers seat is by far the most comfortable car seat Ive ever sat in. Havent had any issues, would recommend this car highly. If your concerned with the potential for maintenance costs buy an extended warranty or go buy a Toyota Camry.

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  Great car for active lifestyles! - 2001 Audi A4
  By yss - February 11 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for close to 2 years now... and the only problem has been a pair of squeeky windshield wipers. The car handles wonderfully... my quattro wagon handles better than my buddys BMW 330ci. Its fun to drive and great for trips with friends and all our gear. The car gets lousy gas mileage... I get about 13 mpg in the city! Well, what can I expect? I live in San Francisco and I drive up many steep hills in a relatively heavy car with all wheel drive! However, I can drive from San Francisco down to LA on one tank of gas! Overall, a great car!

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  Love the car - Hate the repairs - 1998 Audi A6
  By Doctor Liz - February 10 - 2:00 am

  Great looking and riding car, but impossible to keep running. By 60,000 miles it had a new water pump ($800) and needed new valve gaskets, cam gasket, axle flange gaskets and a new rear differential. I thought I was going to miss the luxury when I traded it in, but it was a real relief to get rid of the expensive repairs. The Audi dealership had the attitude "if you dont have enough income to be giving lots of money to us - tough"

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  None better!!! - 2001 Audi S4
  By DrewI - February 10 - 2:00 am

  I looked high and low (BMW330, MB320, Acura TL-S, Infiniti G35) for the ultimate sports sedan and the S4 was the only car I found without a weakness. The 6-speed makes drving fun again and the cars ability to blend just the right amounts of performance and comfort puts a smile on my face every time I get in. Its the first car Ive owned where I look for excuses to take the long way home.

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  Great Car - 1993 Audi 90
  By GermanCarPhreak - February 9 - 2:00 am

  I was upgrading from a 114 hp car, and let me say that this 5 speed, 172 hp machine is incredible. My father owns a 2000 Mercedes C280 which isnt nearly as much fun to drive. Inside its quite and it handles like a Porsche. Its a beautiful car.

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  This is a Great Automobile - 2000 Audi A8
  By Filmpros - February 9 - 2:00 am

  In the past 4 years I have owned the Mercedes S Class, Merceded AMG E-55, Lexus GS, BMW 7 Series, and a Toyota Land Cruiser (which I still own and is by far the best 4 wheel drive truck on the planet). This Audi impresses me when compared to the other vehicles I have owned. The performance, handling, and build quality are all excellent. I even like the understated design.