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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  Good thing theres a 50K warranty - 2002 Audi A4
  By VJD66 - January 5 - 2:00 am

  Love the A4 for its looks, both interior and exterior, and truly is a fun car to drive. Its comfortable yet sporty, with a tight ride. Just try to do doughnuts in the snow - this thing grips like a vice. The Bose system is awesome. Had an oil leak at 25K, the recall for the coils, door lock and horn stopped working and both needed to be replaced, and now theres a noticeably rough idle and strong gas/exhaust smell that appeared out of nowhere, but dealer says nothing found. Not a long term keeper in my opinion, but an excellent 3 year or 4 year car for the ride, handling and status.

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  Overengineered, but fun - 1998 Audi A4
  By GreenMTNDoc - January 1 - 2:00 am

  Ive put all 102,000 mi on my Audi since 7/1997. The first 4-5 years were great. The car is wonderful to drive, and I still love to drive it. However, its cost me about $2k-3k/yr over the last 2.5yrs to keep it running. Ive maintained it as meticulously as possible. My ind mech (got tired of the dealership) stocks the fr susp components because so many fail (about one set a week he says). In addtn, Ive had to replace brakes, radiator, starter motor, rear wheel bearings (twice!), and the timing belt (I guess this last one is expected).

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  Audi Critique - 2004 Audi A8
  By Charles Vallone - December 28 - 2:00 am

  Automatic trunk closure never worked properly. MMI system shuts down completely at different times-very erratic Nav system did not function properly when purchased Rear seal leak- Had to be replaced Local dealer would not offer loaner-he did not sell the car. It takes 12-14 days to schedule maintenance with local dealer. This has happened on three separate occasions.

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  Little Bump Expensive Repairs - 2001 Audi TT
  By JimDave - December 28 - 2:00 am

  Its a great car to drive, just make sure you dont bump any wheel stops in Mall parking lots. My little bump is going to cost $1,500 to fix. I had a Z3 and didnt have this problem.

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  Fun, when its not broken - 2001 Audi TT
  By nappyskbrocks - December 26 - 2:00 am

  I was so excited when I bought my TT! Great looks, 225hp and all wheel drive what more could I ask for? How about a car that can run more than a few weeks without something going wrong with it. I have had nothing but problems with my TT!! Some of the problems include: chronic noise/rattles, front-end problems so severe that after four visits they finally replaced everything to remedy the original problem, anti- lock brake problems, turbo problems, oil leaks and even the CD changer broke. All of this and only 26000 miles. The best $40,000.00 I ever spent (sarcasm)I should have bought four Hyundais! Dont make the same mistake I made....... avoid Audi!!

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  Dont buy it - 1998 Audi A4
  By ganderson101 - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, handles snow very well. Repairs frequent and very expensive. Have had to replace two headlights, head gasket, and timing belt at 74,000 miles. $4000 so far. Rub rails falling off the car, (defective brackets), transmission shifts rough. Audis QA doesnt measure up to selling price. I will never buy Audi again

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  Model Update Needed - 2004 Audi A6
  By Chance Vought - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I have owned 4 A6s and find the new 3.0 to have lost substantial refinement.The engine although adding 20 horsepower feels crude when compared to the 2.8 and sounds as if it is working too hard.Even the brushed alluminum gear shift plate has been reduced in size over the older models and the fabric covering the gear shift and the steering wheel is a very coarse space age product I would expect to find on a non luxury vehicle.The model is showing its age. Time for a new one.

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  Best Value in its class. - 2003 Audi A4
  By GaryC - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I got this one after a 01 BMW 325CI 5spd. Performance is better than expected. The handling is great, better than my BMW. Seat has more adjustments but slightly less comfortable. Initial quality is superb. Car is tight and very solid. Cup holders have been improved. More features than BMW and a better value, looks better to(4 Door).

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  A6 4.2 versus STS - 2000 Audi A6
  By Krafty 2001 - December 17 - 2:00 am

  After owning an STS for 3 years I decided it was time for a change. The 4.2 stood out as a great alternative to the commonplace BMWs traveling the highways. The power and confidence in quatro in Boston weather made the 4.2 an easy choice. Many BMW owners complained to me about poor handling in bad weather conditions. The 4.2 is like spider man. This car sticks to the road.

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  This ones good! - 1998 Audi A4
  By happy for 8 years - December 16 - 2:00 am

  Bought new 69,000 miles in 5 years. Very few problems, radio replaced, new dash cover, all under warranty. Average 24 mpg in mixed use driving. Ride quality has deteriorated in last 10k miles, rear dampers need replacing. Great highway car relaxed, quiet, very comfortable. V6 power adequate. Dealer experience very favorable (Commonwealth VW/Audi). This is my second A4, and they both have been excellent. None of the repair nightmares so sommon on this list. My cars are very well maintained, and driven sensibly. Bose stereo, drivers seat, and overall interior ambience have kept me enjoying these cars for this long (8 years and 120,000 miles between the two).