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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  So far so good - 1998 Audi A4
  By MR KQ - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I just got back from paying a $700 bill for a new throttle body at 67,000 miles. Other than brakes (at no cost because of Audis free 3 year maintenance), tires and front shocks, this car has been trouble-free. Ive read a few reliability horror stories which concern me, but I havent experieiced it yet. The car is 5 years old and it still feels like a new car. Performance of the 1.8T engine is so terrific (I have a 5sp manual) that I wouldnt take a bigger engine if you gave it to me.

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  Just Dont Call it a "Wagon" - 2003 Audi A4
  By MyDawg007 - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This is a fabulous car. Audi really raised the bar with their latest version of the A4 . First of all, it is one if the best looking mass-produced vehicles going. (Why would anyone buy the A6? Theres not THAT much more room.)Its design elements are in perfect balance - inside & out. The sport suspension works great (its hunkered-down stance looks fabulous too). Very, very nice car. Get one.

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  WOW! - 2003 Audi A4
  By The Mommy - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This car is amazing! It provides everything it claims. It is fun to drive, sexy, and much more car for your money than the competition. Audi will be the brand of all my future vehicles.

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  Great sporty car - 2009 Audi A3
  By David - October 27 - 5:19 pm

  I loved this car. I just turned it in this weekend for my 3rd Audi in three years. I needed a bigger car for the family so I went with an A6. I have owned BMWs, VWs, Mercedes, Fords, Chevys, & Toyotas. Audis are by far the best as far as I am concerned. I custom ordered it from Audi with the options I wanted (convenience pckg, open sky, cold weather, s-line). It has great pep for a 4 cylinder turbo. I added H & R sport spring and bilstein shocks to it and wow was this car a fun car to drive. I love Audis design of the new 09s and the LEDs speak for themselves.

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  Love my Avant - 2003 Audi A4
  By parkcityxj - October 26 - 11:04 pm

  Been an awesome car, bought with 77K on it and now has 113K. Still running strong, I like to wrench on the car as a hobby and have saved lots of money. Ive done the timing belt as a precaution. The only repairs Ive had to do is disassemble the wiper motor which had frozen, a pain to do. Ive also had to fix the rear main coolant flange, a cheap part. I have had a few coil packs go on me and I carry a spare. Its two min fix if one goes. I only use Audi Synthetic Oil and Audi fluids as well. I suggest if you buy an Audi, check out one of many Audi Forums. There are DIY write ups for nearly every repair. Original clutch is still holding strong too.

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  Reliability is terrible - 2006 Audi A3
  By jopsomer - October 26 - 6:27 pm

  Ive had an Audi A3 2006 and its been nothing but trouble, with numerous repair visits to the dealer (covered by warranty until recently). The problem areas have been the fuel injection system and various electronic components. Just in the last 6 months, Ive been to the dealer 7 times. If you like to spend time in the waiting room of your dealership, this is the car for you. Otherwise, there are much better (and cheaper) choices out there.

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  Exactly what I was looking for - 2010 Audi Q5
  By spmhome - October 26 - 2:12 pm

  I was coming down from a larger SUV and forgot how much fun a car could be to drive and I picked the perfect vehicle to remind me of that. Performance transmission gear sends you off like a rocket, tight handling like a sports model and a great exterior make this price the deal of the year. My family of 5 fits comfortably. Not a lot of cargo room, hopefully future designs will take that into consideration. Only complaint is difficult-to-use navigation system and it doesnt always take most efficient route (but still worth getting).

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  1st Audi A6 review - 2008 Audi A6
  By rnayar - October 26 - 2:35 am

  Beautifully designed inside and out. Great drive. BOSE sound system is incredible. My A6 performed flawlessly the 1st year but then problems started. At 9k miles the # 5 cylinder coil had to be completely replaced. At 10k miles, carbon buildup caused the check engine light to come on again. The on-board computer had to be reprogrammed. In addition to all this, Audis consume oil like no other car Ive ever owned. I literally have to drive around with a quart of oil in my trunk because it needs to be constantly topped up. 5 times this year alone. Finally, the front suspension is starting to creak on rough roads and its getting progressively louder. Disappointing for a car this new.

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  New A3 a winner - 2017 Audi A3
  By Don Minkoff - October 25 - 9:22 pm

  Many trim levels to choose from. Pays to go up one level for power to both front seats and even Navigation. No memory seat available for Premium trim. Great engine,. Start stop engine technology still has issues fro some reason. Can disable it .

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  Owned for 2yr and 7mo, still love it - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Larry - October 25 - 5:40 pm

  This is a beautiful machine that still turns heads. You can see people looking intently when they are overtaking. This is our 3rd Audi and it is a pleasure to have. My wife drives it 50 miles a day 50/50 highway city. It has nearly 29000 mi on it. We have only had one hiccup, and it was with the oil pressure. A light would come on when first started. This is a lease vehicle and we are not looking forward to the day when it goes back. We have the option to buy but it does not really fit our life needs. Im not sure what to say about all the brake wearing problems people are having. The Q7 weighs over 5000lbs and it has brakes that stop on a dime. Maybe driving style helps.