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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  Great looking and thats about it - 2001 Audi A6
  By Andy T - February 8 - 2:51 pm

  Purchased the car used with less then 30k miles. Had all the bells and whistles. Great looking car but no reliability in this vehicle. Before having 5ok miles timing belt had to be replaced and water pump went out. Great looking car but not up to par against Infiniti, BMW or Lexus...i will never buy another Audi again!

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  First Update - 2010 Audi A3
  By Martin - February 6 - 9:53 am

  Passed 1000 miles with flying colors. Able to push it a bit and diesel torque is evident. Combined mileage at about 35 mpg, highway over 45. If the reliability holds up -- so far, so good -- will likely sell my second car (98 BMW540). Couldnt be happier but am looking forward to an A4 wagon with diesel. More wheelbase, more power. Caution: This is a small car, not for large people. At 57" and 130 lbs, its just right for me.

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  Very Strange Experience So Far - 2010 Audi Q5
  By Greg - February 4 - 11:25 pm

  The car runs well, but when we brought the car in for the first service we were told the water pump had a leak and they had to replace it, but it needed to be ordered. When they received the part we brought the car back to the dealer and they replaced the water pump but then told us there was a small leak in the transmission and they said Audi told them to replace the transmission. Went back when they received the transmission and they replaced it but then they said it was programmed for a diesel and had to order another one. Next one came and same problem. Now we are waiting for the 3rd transmission to arrive and the car has been there for 2 weeks. Still waiting for my car.

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  Love My A4 - 2009 Audi A4
  By Barrels41 - February 4 - 3:16 pm

  A smile is on my face every day I drive this fabulous car. Youngsters compliment me on its looks. It sticks to the road like glue. Unbelievable confidence in bad weather. Great fuel economy. Incredible handling and steering. Stops on a dime. Sports package 18" wheels and sports suspension/seats option.

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  Beauty with flaws - 2005 Audi A8
  By John - February 4 - 12:43 pm

  This is my second A8 and I really love this car, but this might be the last one. These cars are very costly to maintain. Things like suspension parts breaking on a car with 32000 miles shouldnt happen, especially on a car driven very carefully on paved roads. Also electric gremlins that shouldnt happen, like parts breaking when I had it in for a software upgrade for other problems(telephone module broke). But, it looks and handles like a million dollars when its not in the shop!

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  Beware of Engine Oil Sludge problems - 1999 Audi A4
  By KLEE - February 4 - 10:24 am

  Bought this car new from the dealer in 1999 and did regular oil changes with the dealership. Just last month .. oil pressure light goes on and discovered that the engine developed a major Sludge problem .... cost $5,000 to fix ...beware! If the dealship knew about this problem they should have suggested to change to synthetic oil and do more regular oil changes ... Terribly disappointed with Audi !!!

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  steering problem - 2010 Audi A4
  By jimbo - February 3 - 12:23 pm

  After a turn, the steering wheel does not return to "straight" properly (too slow) which makes driving a bit nerve racking and seemed unsafe.

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  Buyer Beware - 2010 Audi Q5
  By stma1 - February 2 - 4:59 am

  Audi Q5 is a great vehicle as long as you do not drive under 10 mph, I have a major transmission issue, 3rd replacement in 2 months, Audi corporate will not stand behind their products and work with you to satisfy yourself as a consumer, my vehicle has lurched and hesitated when coming to a stop causing 2 near accidents, I have never experienced such poor customer service form a corporate and a dealer standpoint, they act like it is my fault there is an issue, you have been warned!

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  love and mostly hate - 2007 Audi A4
  By Bob - February 1 - 5:40 pm

  I have been leasing Audi A4s for 13 year. This car is a major problem. I only have 25,000 miles on the car in less than 3 years. So far the master switch for the windows and the cruise control needed replacement. It burns oil. The reminder light came on 10 months after an oil change. Now it comes on after 5 months. I was thinking about buying the car after lease. No Way Now. The warranty is limited. When it runs out Ill be stuck with all the big maintenance bills. I am going to put this car back on Audi and find a good used BMW 3 series.

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  More Luxurious than My Vette - 2010 Audi S5
  By tboy - January 31 - 5:47 pm

  Having been a vette owner for years-the price of the new ones compared with new technology being introduced by other automakers made me look in a different direction. I drove new Corvettes, MB, Infiniti, and Lexus. When I finally drove the Audi S5 Cabriolet-I knew it was time to change. The style, the punch of the supercharged engine, the interior design, the technology Audi offers and the limited availability of the S5 Cab made me want one. It is roomy, enough power to cruise with some fun, sounds great and the tech gadgets are incredible.