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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  Supermodel - 2003 Audi A4
  By newportgary - December 20 - 2:00 am

  I would say this car is like a supermodel. Very good looking, but not very quick. The car has a lot of fine qualities, but if you are looking for off-the-line zip or passing power, you will be disappointed. Probably the best built, best looking car in its class. I cant wait until they put a decent engine in the next round of A4s. Looking back I should have gone for the 3.0 w/o the quattro.

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  Should I Stay or Should I Go? - 2001 Audi A6
  By MikeR - December 19 - 4:43 pm

  I bought a 2001 2.7T with 80,000 miles in September 2005. Since then, I had to replace two bad turbos and oxygen sensors. After that it was a couple broken seals. Then a couple months after having the 80,000 mile check up, the transmission/4 wheel drive system went out (3 weeks at an Audi dealer waiting for parts). I had begun to notice some strange goings on with the interior lights. In addition, when in heavy traffic for an extended period of time, the trip meter (miles before filling up) flips out and a blinking time set begins to display. Good thing I bought an expensive 2 year extended warranty with the car, but Im really falling out of love.

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  Safe well built car - 2006 Audi A3
  By jenna - December 19 - 9:15 am

  I got my Audi A3 sport back 3.2 quattro and think its a great car with loads of space. I just picked up a freezer easily. It went in back with two seats down and room for my mum in back seat. Build is perfect, safe and the quattro makes wet or snow weather easy to drive in. Petrol isnt too bad - 32 mpg on motorway doing 70mph and round town 23mpg. The dsg box is great, wont go back to manual now . Its fast, 3.2 sport and driving on long journeys is great. Hardly any wind noise or road noise which you would expect having quattro.

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  A Delight to Drive - 1998 Audi A4
  By DH - December 13 - 11:27 pm

  I have had this car for almost a year now and it is a delight to drive. The AWD is great along with the tiptronic transmission. The car had low miles when I bought it and was well maintained, but still had to have the timing belt replaced @ 60,000 miles.

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  Good engine - bad everything else - 2003 Audi A4
  By Alex - December 11 - 1:57 pm

  This car has had so many electrical problems I cant even remember all of them. Parking lights each went out one at a time requiring separate visit to dealership for each one. Bad design caused moisture to corrode the contacts. Sunroof was opening on its own and dealer finally found problem after 2 years. Headlight alignment warning light came on, was fixed and now is coming on again after out of warranty. Stereo speakers are shorted out and intermittent. Also, back window just fell out one day. Engine is good but even it had sludge issue and took three days to repair. Hood latch gets jammed and wont open. Cupholder problems - not big enough and wont even pop out of back seat armrest.

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  Incredible Car! Buy Certified! - 2004 Audi S4
  By MrLiou168 - December 10 - 10:40 am

  Went from E36 M3 to M Roadster to B5 S4 to E46 M3, and now this B6 S4. What a difference! The V8 is a torque monster compared to the M cars, and handling is every bit as sharp and confidence-inspiring. Interior cant be beat, and Bose stereo works well. I think Audis nav system has a contract with the oil companies, as this thing will re-route you all over the country. Passing power is awesome, but clutch engagement is very tricky. Highly recommended, as long as you dont live in a city. City MPG is between 9-13! The fun factor is worth every gallon however.

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  Overrated - 2006 Audi A4
  By Audiboy305 - December 10 - 3:24 am

  Ive had my Audi for months. Already had to get 1 headlight replaced. It shifts horribly, squeaky interior, at high speeds I get rattles from the dash very annoying. Im glad its a lease, no more Audi for me. Only good thing is the looks and design. Build quality is awful. I have every option to include titanium pkg. Seats are a bit uncomfortable, back seat space is minimal. No power for 2.0T. Oh and they dont use real leather seats.

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  Stick shift 3.0 smokin ride - 2002 Audi A4
  By TONY may - December 8 - 11:36 am

  I really love this car. The 6 speed makes it a blast to drive and the performance is really good. All wheel drive makes winters fun too. Built nice and strong. Love this car and it loves me.

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  CVT sucks - 2003 Audi A4
  By gary - December 8 - 10:00 am

  I have had the A 4 for about 3 months, the power is o.k. but the thing has a 1 to 2 second delay when you accelerate from a dead stop, this is a big problem when turning left infront of traffic. I would not buy this car again with the CVT.

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  Fun Car, Expensive to Maintain - 2001 Audi TT
  By TT - November 29 - 11:30 am

  Great car, fun to drive, looks great, but there have been many repair issues, far more than I would have expected for this level of car.