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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  CVT- Rare Code - 2004 Audi A4
  By jjmiller - March 17 - 9:22 pm

  3rd week of ownership transmission shot. CVT with Rare Code GZE looked all over country finally found used. New $6000 Used $2500. Not how I wanted to start with Audi. Will sell once fixed. Dealer not helpful at all. Left me to find trans. so they wouldnt have to stand behind it. THANKS. Wont by Audi again.

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  Audi - junk...No service Do not buy! - 2009 Audi Q7
  By Kirill - March 11 - 4:27 pm

  Starting from first miles till now (10k) brakes are making crazy noise. Dealer did not find any problem. But you know what is best? Customer service of Audi. They answered that this is normal because they use some new materials of braking pads. And it gives more noise than other cars. So it is normal for Audi that their 55k$ new car is giving noise on street like some 20 years junk worse 500 bucks. Do not buy Audi, do not support awful company which do not want to help its customers in any way. My is going to trade in next month.

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  Disappointed - 2010 Audi A4
  By jim373 - March 2 - 9:27 am

  Just bought a new 2010 A4 with A/T. Found the steering too light and steering doe not return to neutral after a turn at normal speed. This requires more attention and correction from driver making the car unpleasant if not unsafe to drive. Acceleration is acceptable, but fuel economy is bad. For 70% highway and 30% light local driving, I averaged only 21MPG. Thats what I get for my 05 V6 Accord. Also find the controls unfriendly and complicated to use.

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  Engine Problems Never Ending - 2006 Audi A4
  By BSD - February 19 - 3:53 pm

  Bad engine intake valve at 49K. Dealership lost the paperwork & I drove it for a month (& beyond warranty) with the ck engine light on before they got the car fixed. Now 2k out of warranty, 4th cylinder taking in air, bad valve seat, needs new cylinder head & misc. valves. And now theyre telling me the problem is that Im changing the oil & performing maintenance per the manufacturers instructions & I should co-pay the bill on a pre-existing condition!? I bought this car new I am the primary driver this is my first foreign-made vehicle If Audi doesnt stand behind its product 100% it will be my last.

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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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  Money Burner - 2003 Audi A4
  By kroberts - January 20 - 1:03 pm

  If you are getting a warranty than its a nice car, but without a warranty you may be getting into something you can not afford in the long run. My car has the infamous sludge build up and my engine is now seized. Either pay 6,000 to replace it or get into an upside down loan for another 5 years.With that being said minus the sludge and the bad engine I did have some good time in this car.

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  Audi 3.0 FWD - 2004 Audi A6
  By Audi Owner - January 20 - 10:48 am

  I purchased my audi 3.0 FWD two years ago used (had 25K miles on it at the time). I was surprised with the average gas mileage(averaged 26.4 mpg) over the past two years. On the down side, I spent a lot of time in the shop for small items (some covered by warranty). Repairs included new battery, 4 cv boots, head light, two tail lights. On average I spent $1,200 per year in repairs not including oil changes, brakes and tires/rotations. Overall interior quality was less than I expected. The seats showed significant wear, the radio/heating buttons writing wore off and the wood (plastic) cracked during my two years of ownership. I previously owned a saab 9-5 and had none of these problems.

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  Jekyl and Hydemobile - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Woodrow - January 6 - 11:24 pm

  18" Bridgestone tires that came on car the loudest tires Ive ever owned. They also ride like they are filled with concrete. Sunroof shattered at about 5,000 mi. Repair caused a leak that migrated to the back and damaged electronics (all Audi repairs). Radio failed at 30,000 mi along with the CD screen. Film on the windshield (interior) cannot be removed by any glass cleaner either we or Audi have tried. "Milky" view of the world. Fuel consumption about 17 city and 22 hwy. on premium. Car is terrible in snow and ice - poor traction under power or brakes.

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  =( - 2002 Audi A4
  By Kam - January 2 - 11:49 am

  Bought that Audi 4 months ago, 3k miles and 3000 dollars I spend for keeping it running. Oil leak, pump(timing belt), catalytic, heater problems, ignition coils...and some more...14 - 15mpg in a city. It looks really great, but im afraid to drive it, anything could break anytime...

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  Serviced more than in my driveway! - 2009 Audi Q7
  By alisa - December 7 - 9:45 am

  Mechanically fine. Technically STINKS! MMR system, brains of car for radio, bluetooth, navigation, cameras etc., has been non-working 4 times. Front headlight blown 2 times. Window non- working. 4 Bald tires at 13,000 miles. Service takes no responsibility. Loaner car a tiny little barely 4 passenger car, paid for a Q7 that seats 7! WHAT A PIECE OF MODERN JUNK!