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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  It Kicks - 2001 Audi S4
  By oxnox - February 27 - 6:40 pm

  Amazing car! Extreemly tuneable engine. Not as high performance as an M but much more practicle and accessable.

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  AUDI s4 - 2000 Audi S4
  By AliasAlias - February 27 - 1:06 pm

  This Car is A great Car

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  perfect! - 2002 Audi S4
  By charles - February 26 - 8:51 pm

  great perfomance,nice styling.

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  tt roadster -- quatro - 2002 Audi TT
  By joetx - February 26 - 3:01 pm

  great turbo delivery. at 2500 rpm, what fun.

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  Whats NOT to LOVE?? - 2006 Audi A4
  By Christa - February 23 - 4:30 pm

  This is my first Audi and I love it. I dont see myself ever buying a different make or model. The pick up for a four cylinder is UNMATCHED by any other vehicle. Ive been getting over 30 miles a gallon. The heated seats are amazing and the braking system is even better than the volvos. The A4 handles like a much smaller vehicle, the trunk room is huge.

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  I hope it doesnt snow where you live - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Ian in Vermont - February 21 - 10:00 am

  I live in the mountains of Vermont. The allroad has been an extreme disappointment here. You see, every time it snows the town puts down a dirt/gravel/salt mixture that ultimatly ends up drying on the inside of the wheels. The allroad then shakes violently at speeds as low as 20 MPH. Even Spring hasnt ushered in any relief from this problem. A trip down my unpaved driveway replete with mud puddles renders the wheels unbalanced. My other two vehicles dont have this problem and they dont have Speed Vision infomercials touting their "go-anywhere" versatility. Avoid this car for use in snow country.

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  Audi is a pain and Don Rosen is not good - 1997 Audi A4
  By Dissatisfied - February 20 - 12:50 am

  After owning the A4 for only 3 1/2 years, the transmission had to be replaced. This repair could have been made earlier and saved the transmission, but because of a misdiagnosis by Don Rosen it resulted in the total destruction of the transmission. In addition, had the reported problems been diagnosed properly when I reported them it would have been covered under warranty. Luckily, I was able to talk Don Rosen into covering half the cost, but it still cost me $2500.

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  love audi - 2002 Audi A4
  By marc - February 18 - 7:53 pm

  the car is very solid feeling.it also holds the road better than any car ive owned.The brakes are outstanding.there is excellent torque for a 4-cylinder,though there is still some turbo lag.I am still kinda disappointed that power seats are not available on the 1.8,but there are plenty of manual adjustments that help to make up for that.the tiptronic trans overrides your decisions sometimes and shifts a little soft for a sporting car.if you want sporty stick with the manual.

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  Exemplary of Fine German Engineering - 2002 Audi A4
  By Eddi - February 16 - 10:00 am

  Once I sat down in the A4, I was absolutely impressed with the striking interior. All the dials and displays are thoughtfully placed...sans the front cupholder. Nice aluminum trimming, goes well with a dark interior. The engine is smooth and silky, quite refined for a 4 cylinder. Acceleration is slightly anemic, but adequate for commuting. Oh, one caveat with the sound system. The less-honest dealerships might tweak the non-Bose system to get you to prefer the Bose system. Know that the standard sound system with 10 speakers w/ subwoofer and 150 watts holds its own just nicely. I have heard complaints about electrical problems on previous models.

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  Why, Audi, Why? - 2016 Audi A4
  By Stephanie Henderson - February 16 - 5:09 am

  After 11 years, my beloved A4 passed on to another plane of existence. I had always planned to buy another Audi when the time came. I didnt buy this car because for some reason, this Audi cant do what my much less expensive VW can do. I want to connect my phone to my car via Bluetooth and not only get phone calls but also my music, Waze, Spotify etc., to play through the speakers. I cant do this in the Audi unless I purchase the much more expensive package or plug my phone in.. to a cord... in the glove box. No. Just no. Also, CVT transmissions are crap and forced me into a more expensive Quattro to avoid them. Who doesnt want to feel the car shifting? Who likes CVT transmissions?! Also, the back seats dont fold down, theres not even a ski sack like my 2005 had. So, theres no option for a bit more room. I did not buy the Audi. I wanted so badly to buy the Audi but I just couldnt do it. I bought a Mercedes-Benz instead. Im hoping Audi gets it right in the next several years.