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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  The Sweet & Sour Audi - 1996 Audi A4
  By Jack Gross - June 21 - 2:00 am

  Alas, my experience with the 96 A4 has also been of the approach-avoidance type. Agree, beautiful to look at and to drive ergonomics are great. Also agree that the 2.8/175HP engine was not big enough for a compact this hefty. Having steered at least a half dozen other buyers to Audis, I was taken aback to be told that a recent whining noise was emanating from the 5-speed manual transmission and that it needed replacing. This is with only 55,000 miles. And this is after replacing the front suspension twice. My heart says get another one, but my brain just wont let me.

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  2004 V8 vs. 2001 Biturbo - 2004 Audi S4
  By adeshpa - June 18 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my 2001 S4 biturbo for a 2004 6-spd. The 2004 is very quick (with MT clocking a 5 second 60 MPH sprint, versus the factorys 5.6 est.), with an incredibly usuable torque curve. Unlike the 2001, there is no lag in acceleration, and it pulls hard from 2k RPM all the way to 5k before tailing off--you dont have to work the engine hard to bring a smile to your face. The torque is noticeable on the highways as well, where 60-90 MPH sprints pass by in a blur. Minuses--Fit and finish is poorer, mileage is terrible, harsh ride (esp. if you live in the NE), adaptive steering and handling generally can be irritating. Gripes are small.So far I love it.

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  over priced - 2004 Audi A6
  By woops - June 18 - 2:00 am

  My 2001 has had no major but many, many problems. Broken sunvisor, 3 blowers, many caliper problems. It is comparable in quality to my 92 Taurus but for twice as much. Without a warranty it is not a keeper. Simply it is a good looking problem machine.

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  Great ride, poor reliability - 1996 Audi A4
  By Call_me_Eric - June 16 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. It drives well, gets decent mileage and still looks great. The AWD is awesome. Interior design is very well laid out. If it had Honda/Toyota reliability, Id keep it until the wheels fall off. I have replaced the dash (dealer recall), replaced both catalytic converters ($900 each), replaced the left rear wheel bearing twice, replaced the A/C evaporator, replaced the water pump and the radio twice. The local dealer (I bought elsewhere) is poor. They seem to lack knowledge and caring.

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  Best yet - 2001 Audi A6
  By Alix - June 16 - 2:00 am

  Last 3 years I had a lexus GS300 BMW 330 and now this, this is the yet. and I will get a 2005 for my wife next year.

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  Love the Car...hate the maintenance cost - 1997 Audi A8
  By 0977q345 - June 10 - 2:00 am

  This is really the finest of cars. I love the performance, comfort, and driving characteristics. The only issue is the exorbinate price of repairs. Driven entirely by Audis excessive prices. The screw in replacement antenna cost over $150 (dealer is only place to get part). You will love the car, but expect to pay ($$$) for that love!

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  Fun to drive, nightmare to own - 2000 Audi S4
  By nomoreaudijunk - June 7 - 2:00 am

  Issues included: A/C system was improperly assembled and poured water into the passenger seat. Water pump, catalytic converters, oxygen sensors, and coil packs - all replaced. When I brought it in last week, the ABS computer was shot. Cruise control switch shot. This car is a piece of crap. When the cats and pre-cats were replaced under an emissions system warranty, at Metro, I had to pay for new O2 sensors. They were an Audi mandated repair along with the converters, but Audi wouldnt cover it EVEN THOUGH THEY REQUIRED IT AS PART OF THE WARRANTY REPAIR. I got Audi customer service to cover half the cost, and they acted like they were doing me a favor.

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  Racecar fun, SUV utility and MPG - 2004 Audi S4
  By christhegoalie - June 6 - 2:00 am

  I am one of the 10 Americans that LOVE wagons and this one is as good as you can buy. I have the one from the ads, blue w/ blue and black int. Looks awesome. V8 is stellar! (especially after you add the APR complete exhaust sys.) Great brakes (I might even leave them factory!) Decent suspension (likely to upgrade) Downside: Even being super nice I cant get 20 MPG.

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  Audi Cab - 1998 Audi Cabriolet
  By kmrk - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Fun car. Would prefer all-wheel drive but the front wheel is fine for a "summer" car. Low noise with the top down, good sound system, excellent mechanicals, very comfortable for large driver. Could definitely use a little more bhp but wonderful to cruise New England in the summer.

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  Great car, some dealership issues - 2001 Audi A4
  By ilovemya4 - June 3 - 2:00 am

  We had a great experience buying this car. However, our experience with the a different dealer for maintenance (Royal Motors in SF) has been ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. Audi dealer mechanics are bonused based on customer feedback. We didnt know this when we filled out the Audi feedback letter after our 1st service at Royal Motors. One of the mechanics left a voice mail on our home phone complaining about how our low feedback score was going to hurt his compensation. To top it off, every time we go back, we get this passive-aggressive treatment from the employees, with petty comments like "I see you gave ___ a low score" years after that feedback was submitted.