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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  Buyer Beware! - 1996 Audi A4
  By meld - March 18 - 12:53 pm

  Do NOT buy a used A4 if you dont also purchase a full aftermarket warranty at the same time! My car was literally in the shop every month for the past year and has been in every week for the past 5 weeks. I am completely underwhelmed ....

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  junk - 1998 Audi A4
  By doctorrocket9 - January 11 - 8:46 am

  We bought a pretty pearl white 1.8T with sport package. Two weeks after the warranty expired, the dealer said we needed new brakes, tires, and rear ball bearings, total bill $3000. The car needed endless work during the warranty, but at least we didnt have to pay for it. This was our second and final Audi, both with extensive problems lasting and very high repair costs. Now we drive Hondas.

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  A3 TDI review - Edmonds doesnt offer option - 2011 Audi A3
  By civil westman - November 25 - 10:44 pm

  What a disappointment! OK for 21/2 years 15K miles, then problems began. 18 months of a slow coolant leak which dealer could not find. Had to keep a gallon of coolant with me at all times. Finally, after warranty expired, the dealer replaced the water pump to cure the problem. Wanted to charge me for it. After pointing out that it had been in three times over the past 18 months, they decided it was under warranty. Now with 55K miles, the waste gate regulation valve on the turbo has failed, along with a pressure line to the turbo (I previously owned a Jetta TDI, given to my son, whose turbo failed at 46K miles - this failure occurred after I had bought the Audi). So far, up to about $1500 in repairs on a car with has lost 20% of its value due to the emissions shenanigans. I am waiting to see if Audi will offer to buy it back. A recent court settlement calls for them to buy back the older TDIs on the road and "repair" (read destroy the good mileage) the newer ones. Needless to say, THIS IS MY LAST VW/AUDI PRODUCT.

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  99 Problems but a Hörch ain’t one - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By penwolf - July 19 - 1:18 am

  I killed my Audi today. After almost four years of Allroad ownership I should be qualified to write a thoughtful and informative review of my experience. Alas, IÂ’ve spent more time in and out of cheap rented harlots; Nissan Sentras, Chrysler PTs, Toyota Camrys, KIA Optimas and Chevy Cobalts, while my Audi slept in greasy mechanics shops with her claws on my credit card. If you like money in your pocket, donÂ’t buy this Audi. If you like to drive your own car, donÂ’t buy this Audi. If you, like me, are a masochist, hell-bent on suffering and burning money, check out the Audi Allroad. My Audi was four years of abject languish, watching something I love destroy itself and my finances.

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  Dont blow a tire - 2004 Audi A4
  By Margie Determan - April 30 - 10:00 am

  I am looking at $1500-2000 of repairs to my gas tank,wheel lining and shock absorber, not to mention the replacement tire,which was $180, because I had a flat tire on this vehicle at 2389 miles. To my dismay, neither the dealership, nor Audi of America, will stand behind their vehicle and cover any of this cost. I apparently had a leaking gas tank for several days before the "check engine" light alerted me to a potential problem. It would seem that the design of this automobile should address the severe damage that apparently can be caused on this car from a flat tire. It makes me concerned about my safety.

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  WORST CAR IVE EVER OWNED - 1998 Audi A4
  By mnbeckertx - March 10 - 2:00 am

  Worst mistake Ive ever made was buying this car. Spent more time in the shop than I did driving it. The dealer gave me Toyota Corolla loaner cars - if at all (expected more after a great experience with BMW). I tried to get rid of this car for years, but was unable - nobody would give me any money for it. HORRIBLE RESALE VALUE