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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  Poor front seats, too much road noise - 2004 Audi A4
  By Reston - November 13 - 2:00 am

  There is much to praise about this car. Few cars at any price can match the elegance of its interior design. The 6-speed is snick-snick smooth. But this car is much better suited for short urban trips than long-distance highway cuising. Front seats are far too hard and not very supportive unless youre smaller than average. Road noise is intrusive, especially on rough road surfaces. HVAC is drafty unless regulated manually.

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  Great Design, Poor Reliability - 2003 Audi A4
  By Singlemalt - November 10 - 2:05 pm

  I want to love this car, but the manufacturing reliability is quite poor. Ive had numerous electrical problems, with the brake lights, stereo, and fuel injection. There is annoying squeaking noise in the left front suspension. The design and ergonomics of the car are outstanding, but I will never buy another Audi, because I dont trust the car will work for the long-haul and I dont want to have to take into the service department on a monthly basis.

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  So far so Good! - 2003 Audi A6
  By Grad - November 9 - 12:08 pm

  Recently purchased a 2003, 2.7T A6. The car is so much fun to drive. Very glad that I purchased this car rather than a BMW. I can not wait for snow to drive in with the quattro wheel drive. With the quattro, the fuel economy is slightly less than I am used to as I have been getting about 20mpg wwith mixed use driving.

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  Audi S4 - 2005 Audi S4
  By papapushkas - November 4 - 3:28 pm

  I have owned this car now for six months. No problems so far with the exception of the wind-blockers design - very flimsy retaining clips. The engine is superb - too bad that the car is way too heavy, detracting from the performance. The poor fuel economy is due the weight as well. Nevertheless I am amazed that I could not think of any serious complaint about the car so far. I will have to get winter tires/rims for it and at 1300+ they are not cheap but they are essential for winter mobility. Would I buy the car again? In a heartbeat.

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  Already 12 service visits? - 2002 Audi TT
  By Never German Again - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car new in Oct 02. Of course the interior and exterior design are unparalleled, the quality of the workmanship is something to be desired. Since new, I have been to the service dept. 12 times, all for petty things, such as blown speakers, stuck glovebox, new climate control unit, new instrument cluster, and many others. I love driving this car, but I expect better quality from such an elite marque. Guess Ill be buying a Lexus next time around.

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  Fun to Drive, but Awful Service - 2003 Audi A4
  By DSA - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I spent a great deal of time researching BMWs 330X, Mercedes C Class, and others. In the end, I chose Audi. My 2003 Audi 3.0 is a blast to drive. The car handles well and goes like gang-busters. The interior is well designed and very comfortable. However, in the past year and a half I have had the car in for repairs about a dozen times. Problems include keys that stopped working (3 times), replacement AC compressor, ABS, Airbag and other dash lights showing, drive train out of balance, key fobs that would not lock/unlock the doors, etc. Whats worse, Ive had to take the car back to have DCH either re-do their work on multiple occasions. What a let down!

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  Fun to Drive but maintainance high - 1996 Audi A4
  By lawoody - October 27 - 2:00 am

  My car is the FWD 2.8 with 5 spd. auto. The car is very smooth to drive and steers nicely. Strong brakes but the engine isnt the strongest. Great for long drives. Maintanance is costly compared to a honda/toyota/nissan but not out of line. Engine consumes zero oil at 65K. MPG is 23 mix or 27 highway. Some electrical glitches but nothing major.

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  Love This Car! - 2001 Audi A8
  By Philly B - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car a little over a year ago while still under warranty. Just past 50k miles, so no longer will get free maintenance. Very good driving car. Everyone who gets in it marvels at how smooth and quiet the ride is. Absolutely excellent in the snow. Great on the highway for long rides. Only had to replace a tie rod which I think got damaged when a hit a wicked pot hole in NYC. Love the sound system. Could use more cup holders, which I think was done with new 04 model. Will definitely consider buying another one in a few years...and thats unusual for me to get the same car again. Says something about this car.

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  My AUDI - 2000 Audi A4
  By Audi2K - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Audi on 5/04. The car is solid and preforms solid. I bought it used. My Audi came with 18" rims and low profile Kumho tires. It also came with a lower suspension and a custom dual exhaust that blows away every other Audi. The only problem is that my engine light just recently came on and I have kept my car in top shape by doing oil changes and tune ups. I have to take my car to an Audi dealer and if there is nothing wrong with the motor, the warranty I bought for it doesnt cover it. I this is going to be costly. But its definetly worth it. The tip-tronic shift on my car hauls butt.

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  best suv killer ever - 2001 Audi S4
  By Eric132451 - October 22 - 2:00 am

  It does everything great. Fast, fun, comfortable. It even has a big trunk to swallow everything i can throw at it. I travel to Lake Tahoe every year and this thing is unstoppable on winter tires. Throw it sideways on ice and it is instantly recoverable. Drove to Vegas one winter and the entire highway was black ice. 350 cars got in accidents. I was the only car to make it through the highway. The Red Sea of SUVs parted as they spun into the ditch as i drove right through the middle of them on summer tires. Not a single car on the road the last 15 miles