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:

• 

  A6 2.7T Review - 2002 Audi A6
  By Mike Sullivan - April 18 - 2:00 am

  This is my third Audi in five years. Ive owned an A4, S4 (great car) and now the A6 2.7T. This is a great exec car with plenty of room for people in the back, yet sporty enough to have fun.

• 

  ENTER YOUR OWN RISK!!! - 1996 Audi A4
  By Laz - April 14 - 2:00 am

  Never think of buying a 96 Audi A4.I have spent 10K for repairs of this car until now.Thanks God mostly paid off by extended warranty(feel sorry about them).Transmission/clutch very poor (replaced-still uncomfortable)Tie rod ends replaced and many other mechanical problems occured.Just the biggest pain I ever had in my entire life.

• 

  Best I ever had - Fun and practicality - 2000 Audi S4
  By Ron O - April 14 - 2:00 am

  Every aspect of the car is well thought out. The factory is very cooperative. The quattro is great in wet or snow.

• 

  Awesome Euro Car - 2006 Audi A3
  By dwalzz - April 12 - 10:06 am

  Outstanding Car. 6spd Manual is where it is at, but apparently the DSG is nice. Sport Package and Xenon headlights are a must. Premium sound is nice too. Handles like a dream. Great engine. Classy yet sporty interior.

• 

  What a Delight!! - 2002 Audi S4
  By Nelson S. - April 12 - 2:00 am

  This car is awesome to drive. Worth the money to buy. Upgraded the ECU on this car, went up against a new 2002 Infiniti Q45 with 340HP and I beat him, not by much but goes to show what an Audi can do against a car with 300+ HP. Would highly recommend anyone interested in one to go down to your local dealer and test drive one today!!!

• 

  A4 IS ONLY GOOD FOR 80,000 MILES - 1997 Audi A4
  By JOJO - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Ill never buy one again!! 0 - 80000 miles the A4 ran perfectly. On its 80000m birthday huge problems. Major oil leak hear, broken gasket there, usual timing belt replacement, cracked heating pipe under there, electric switch on transm failure, etc., etc., etc. In a 3 month period, I averaged close to $3k in car repairs and it has never run the same. Dont plan on keeping the A4 for longer than 5 years, unless you want it in the shop for 4 weeks each year while the dealer complains it cannot get parts from Germany or back East. Goodbye Audi, hello Infinity, Lexis, Honda.

• 

  Nirvana - 2003 Audi A4
  By apfrompa - April 11 - 2:00 am

  As Im in my 50s now, Ive driven many different types of vehicles but mostly Japanese, including Lexus. The ride of this vehicle supersedes by far anything I have owned or tested in performance, comfort, handling, and confidence. As I explained to a friend, this car could die on me tomorrow, and I wouldnt care because the time spent with it already has provided enough pleasure for a lifetime. Buy it, you wont regret it.

• 

  My 2004 Arctic White Avant - 2004 Audi A4
  By 2004 a4 Avant - April 11 - 2:00 am

  This car is a dream to drive. With the sport package, which stiffens the springs and lowers the car, it sticks to the road. Audi also offers many options, as I have added an Audi body kit, which really looks great.

• 

  Quattro is great but be careful - 2004 Audi A4
  By tomw - April 11 - 2:00 am

  If you live somewhere where it rains or snows frequently (i.e. the Northeast) definitely look at this car. Dont waste your time with the 1.8T engine. I know I said be careful but I would buy another one in a second (my wife drives an A6). I have had some problems with climate control and had a major gas leak!! Audis warranty and service has taken care of it no problem though. Highly recommended to people who like to drive but want good German performance. Warranty is excellent too.

• 

  2004 A4 - 2004 Audi A4
  By GABE - April 11 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS MY SECOND AUDI, BUT THIS ONE IS SO MUCH BETTER THEN MY 2000 A6 WAS