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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  Excellent Car - 2008 Audi S6
  By hellas79 - January 6 - 3:38 am

  Love it, most fun to drive car Ive ever owned of the 50+ exotics and luxury cars Ive had so far.

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  Best Car - Even if its Thirsty - 2005 Audi S4
  By S4 Convert - January 4 - 11:03 am

  By far the best car Ive ever owned, and Ive had a bunch. Drives like a four door Porsche C4. I get bored quickly with cars, but every time I get in the S4 it feels like Ive been given a gift. If you are a car enthusiast, you simply cant have a bad time in this car. You pay for the V-8 when you fill up (you can use regular, though), but youre more than equally rewarded when you step on the accelerator.

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  Not a bad car - 2007 Audi S8
  By edward - December 31 - 8:40 pm

  I wanted a car that was good in the snow but also had good performance, this fits the bill.

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  Enjoy it, but.... - 2000 Audi A6
  By sdem - December 28 - 8:03 pm

  We bought our Wagon 4 1/2 years ago and weve really enjoyed the styling and room it provides. As mentioned previously, the engine could have had more power but the Ttronic gives you the ability to get creative on the road. Great for hauling and it still looks great but the cost of minor problems is a bit much. we have 81k and im debating selling or trading in just because i worry about whats to come. again, i love the german styling, but my japanese vehicle is 3 years older and i feel safer on long trips in it rather than the audi.

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  Be Careful of Automatic Transmission - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By connveteran - December 28 - 7:19 pm

  The ZF Automatic Transmission is known to have MAJOR problems in this car. Audi apparently was aware that the 2001-2004 Allroads had bad transmissions but never did a recall The first thing to go is Reverse Gear. It slips when going uphill backwards. Reverse might be okay on level ground but not on inclines/hills. Its a very costly $4,000+ repair and you cant replace it with a used transmission because that one will also probably go bad. It must be rebuilt. Audi changed the transmission in 2004 or 2005 because they were that bad.

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  Love my A4 - 2017 Audi A4
  By Scott Lerner - December 27 - 8:42 pm

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  2006 Audi A4 - 2006 Audi A4
  By Flyhigh - December 25 - 11:26 am

  The 6 spd transmission and the 2.0L engine are totally made for each other, I am getting 37 mpg (7.6L/100km) with commute type driving, which is far better that I expected. I traded an 06 Jetta TDI for this, which would give me 6.2L/100km (45 mpg). But now that diesel is $1.06/L and regular is $.94/l, (yes you can run 87 octane) my cost per KM for fuel is only 2 cents more and I get killer traction with Quattro and Hakapelita that defies description. The car needs more little storage places like the Jetta and an arm rest that can be used along with two cups of Timmys in the holder. This is a drivers car, and worth every penny.

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  Love it!! - 2005 Audi S4
  By DavidAlanCo - December 19 - 10:13 pm

  I have had my S4 Convertible for about a year and a half and love it! I cant tell you how many people have commented on my "cool car". The car is insane around corners and I have beaten Porche Boxters on regular occasions in "races". The car almost keeps up with my business partners BMW M3. I have an automatic and there is a little "lag time" when you step on the gas, but once it gets moving, it moves like crazy!

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  2001 1.8T A4 Quattro Wagon w/Sport Pack - 2001 Audi A4
  By Lisa Macaluso - November 13 - 2:38 pm

  First few years car ran smoothly and was a lot of fun to drive except rear wheel bearings needed to be replaced twice by dealership - luckily still under warranty. Rims allowed snow/slush to build up which made car shake when driven in winter. When 2-3 years old, rattling sound was heard. Brought car in several times and was not given diagnosis. After 75,000 miles (no longer under warranty), dealership was magically able to diagnose the problem: needs a new cam adjuster (dealership claims no prior awareness of problem) Car has 100,000 miles and has had all four wheel bearings (and ball joint) replaced again by local mechanic. It is no better than tupperware - disposable after 3-year-use!

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  allroad - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By welling - November 8 - 2:00 am

  fun car to drive on the highway. The interior is great quality. The radio has wonderful sound and the controls have a good layout.