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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  AUDI - 2004 Audi A4
  By juan uribe - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Excellent overall quality!! Good value

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  Not Bad, Could be Better - 2002 Audi A4
  By CHenry - May 6 - 2:00 am

  I have a fairly loaded 2002 A4 3.0 quattro with 5-speed Tiptronic: sport, luxury, Cold weather, xenons. All-in-all this has been a satisfactory car. Fit and finish was excellent. I have had a few niggling issues: horns had to be replaced at 20,000 mi (horns, whatever?!), power steering fluid mysteriously disappears (once, only). The Tiptronic could be a little smoother on the upshift, especially in low gears. Acceleration is a little weak, even for an automatic.

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  Enjoy free scheduled mtc while it lasts - 2000 Audi A4
  By itgrad1 - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I love the look and feel of the car and its been a blast to drive. However, as Mike pointed out..... this car spends a ton of time in the shop. Although this wasnt a problem at first (free until 50,000)its gotten quite expensive. The 50,000 mi service was almost $700 of routine stuff. Save your pennies for the service as its needed every 5,000 miles. Ive replaced the same headlight 5 times, water pump went, computer problems (dash goes black) up the wazoo. Ill be trading in soon. (Note this all happened ironically between 50,000 and 60,000 miles)

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  Fun and sporty, but small - 1997 Audi A4
  By jffordem - April 29 - 2:00 am

  Before I bought my Acura TL this was my favorite daily driver. I really enjoyed owning my A4 1.8TQM and regretted that I never chipped it. I sold it 3 years later to afford my dream home. I found this car a lot of fun to drive, and raced it in Solo 2 (Autocross) for two seasons. I also liked the surefooted behavior on snow when I took it skiing. However, I was disappointed with the service, and encourage owners to keep an eye on fluid and air pressure levels in order to avoid unfortunate, avoidable run-ins with the dealer.

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  Great Car but be careful! - 2003 Audi A6
  By Jim Easop - April 29 - 2:00 am

  The 2.7T is a fine automobile. The issue I have is that this specific model does NOT have the multi-function steering wheel. The brochure, web site and quick reference guide that came with the vehicle all depict this capability. The fact is this capability / feature is not available on a 2003 2.7T. My dealer did not inform me of this. Needless to say I am not happy. I have sent a letter to Audi of America expressing my displeasure and they have not responded.

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  Munches Auto Glass - 2001 Audi TT
  By GlassMan - April 26 - 2:00 am

  On hot days (100+ degrees), windshield cracked from passenger side (just at the dash) across the field. Parked and reading newspaper. Two cokes and three newspapers later, heard a muffled "piff". Looked up to see crack grow 4-5 inches. Temp 102+. Month later, car parked for about a week (drove beater to work every day). Had a 100+ day. Found crack growing from the same spot as before. My new friend, the auto glass man, confirmed increased TT business in the area... A couple of weeks later, the glass man returned for his third visit. Hot day, car parked. Design flaw? Crummy glass? Bum installation? Body flex?

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  Dont be fooled by the pretty car - 1998 Audi A4
  By michael jackson - April 24 - 2:00 am

  Control arm bushings failed, the windshield wipers failed, the ignition wiring failed. I go through a $100 headlight a year. Ive had to replace two fuel injectors. After having a recall service performed on the front tie-rods, the car never drove straight again. It requires $91 octane gasoline or better (US). This car was maintained by Audi, by the book, for the first 50,000 miles, and meticulously by myself and a certified Audi technician thereafter, yet it continues to fall apart. I truly wish I never bought this car and I wouldnt own another Audi if someone paid me to do so. Its the definition of an unreliable lemon.

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  1999 Audi A6 Quartro - 1999 Audi A6
  By Niclo Casta - April 23 - 2:00 am

  Several items had to be replaced during the five years of ownership and other observerances. 1. Relay switch for transmission had to be replaced. (Repair cost was refunded by Audi after I wrote them a letter.) 2. Headlight washer pump had to be replaced. Covered under warranty. 3. Middle rear seat belt froze and had to be replaced. Took three weeks to get part. Covered under warranty. 4. Fastener for front carpet broke off. 5. Service provider suggested repairs that were not needed after warranty expired. This was confirmed by a master mechanic.

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  Disappointed - 2000 Audi A4
  By Autumn - April 23 - 2:00 am

  I love my Audi A4 1.8T, but sadly it is a lemon. Of course, I find out it is a lemon after the warranty...I will never buy another A4 because the dealership where I purchased it will not take any responsiblity. I have taken it in several times, and all I hear is the fact that they have never seen an Audi with so many problems! Apparently, the Audi corporation does not stand behind their product either. It is a shame, because it is such a fun little car.

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  Timeless Audi - 2002 Audi A6
  By newtoaudi2002 - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Great car overall. Love the 3.0 engine in the sport mode(S). Lots of interior & trunk space for a relatively compact exterior. Timeless design that is certainly more distinctive than an E320. Gas mileage is less than the E320 4MATIC it replaced in combined city/highway driving