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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  S8 Evaluation Review - 2002 Audi S8
  By Leo Popkie - June 6 - 2:00 am

  This S8 has incredibly smooth acceleration from the 4.2 liter V8 that is normally aspirated. No turbo or supercharger jerk. Handling/its very responsive for its large size with the Brembo brakes more than ample. All in all, a great vehicle for open road driving!

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  Family image - 2002 Audi S6
  By peters - June 6 - 2:00 am

  This car is truly awesome! It satisfies the kids who were complaining of the rear leg room in our BMW 540i 6speed and it will satisfy any performance car enthusiast. The best feature is the quattro system. It makes all the BMW attempts at traction control look ridiculous. This car has a family image with sportscar performance. I now only need to remove the s6 badges!

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  Overrated - 2002 Audi A6
  By German Car Expert - June 6 - 2:00 am

  Great idea, poor execution

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  A4 sport package 1.8T - 2003 Audi A4
  By Pamos99 - June 5 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a 2003 A4 1.8t quattro with the manual transmission and sport package. I was looking for a car with all wheel drive that was still fun to drive. The Audi definitely delivers. The sport package makes it handle like a sports car -- although you will need to buy different tires for the winter. My sister owns a 2002 A4 with the 6 cylinder and an automatic (no sports package) and it definitely is not worth the extra $8000 in my opinion. I took mine home for $29K and its a great value for money -- fun to drive and extremely high quality.

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  best car ive owned - 2003 Audi A4
  By shawno - June 5 - 10:00 am

  I spend 5 months of the year in Colorado snowboarding and can honestly say that this car is a "mountain goat". Anyone familiar with the Loveland Pass (Continental Divide) knows how hairy it can be, this car just stuck to the road like it was on rails. Also, if you mess up, the ESP kicks in and lets you know that you did something "wrong". It has to be the best handling all weather car ever..I go around cornerns in the rain without fear. SOmetimes that can be bad though. It has a great ext/int- quality workmanship and great attention to detail. Not to mention the technology...ESP,Quattro, Brake assist. This car is just great.

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  Fun to drive - 2003 Audi A4
  By tpg - June 5 - 10:00 am

  Well detailed interior; comfortable seating; Dolphin Grey Metallic is sweet; more comfortable than a 325i; excellent handling; dont see one at every intersection. Dont think I would consider without the 5-speed.

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  A nice car at a reasonable price - 1995 Audi 90
  By Another engineer... - June 5 - 2:00 am

  I have been very pleased with this car. The interior is well equipped with walnut trim, sport seats that lack a wide range of adjustment but are nevetheless very comfortable. Also includes a wide range of gauges and more rear legroom than the A4. The exterior is not as sleek as the A4, but it is more unique. The front fog lights are prone to stone cracks. At 172hp, the 90 holds its own against a BMW, however the car is sluggish in stop and go traffic. Highway ride is quiet and stable. Quattro is the best reason to buy an Audi. Keep in mind that parts are expensive, even aftermarket, and working on the car yourself requires patience (and small hands).

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  Keep the car, loose the repairs - 1999 Audi A6
  By andrews - June 5 - 2:00 am

  We love the car, but the repairs, my god the repairs. First off NEVER BUY LEITH IMPORTS. They will do nothing for you after you buy the car. We bought the car used, and had our guy look at it. A few things that needed fixing. Audi Assured. They never fixed a few things. They said they did. We bought the car. Soon later a few things didnt seem right. They said "within manufactures specs." unture. they lied. One of the things was the head lights (Xeons) would flicker, "within manufactures specs.", the whole headlight needed to be rewired. $2k if I remember correctly. Never trust Audi of Cary North Carolina.

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  "S" is for superlative! - 2002 Audi S4
  By Orca Boy - June 5 - 2:00 am

  The S4 was my first foray into the "rarified air" of automobiles. Forty large may be chump change to some, but I took the investment with deathly seriousness. That said, the finacial outlay was definitely worth it. The S4 is by far and away the most enjoyable, and complete, car Ive ever driven. I spent many months comparing it against the BMW 330, Infiniti G35, and hordes of other, similarly priced rides. In the final analysis, while each of those cars brings something very special to the show, the S4 seems to bring EVERYTHING. Its fast, safe, luxurious, and--at least compared with Bimmer, Porsche, and some of the other uber- marques--sanely priced.

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  Looks good, not so great - 2002 Audi TT
  By scottlbch - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Audi took an exceptionally styled vehicle and went nowhere with it. The paint quality does not maintain a shine and scratches very easily. Power leaves much to be desired at lower rpm. Interior design is well done, although a little more storage space would be helpful. It has a VERY rough ride on imperfect pavement.