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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  Dont recommend Audi - 2008 Audi A4
  By Roxanne - August 19 - 11:29 am

  The car dont last. I have a 2008 A4, and the engine is terrible. I have had it in service 3 times and its there again. They dont know how to fix it.

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  OK Car - Wont Buy Again - 2009 Audi Q7
  By hoonie99 - August 17 - 8:04 am

  Car design and comfort are great. Service, reliability and build quality are weak. If you must have this car, you will be taking a gamble as it seems that most people will come across at least one or two issues. Maintenance is expensive. Cant complain about fuel economy as you know what you are getting into. Compared to other heavy cars, about the average. The Audi Care Maintenance package only covers scheduled maintenance. Loved the car for the first two years, then things started to fall apart.

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  Good for the first 50k miles... - 2002 Audi A6
  By BeeGee - August 11 - 11:47 am

  ... but a serious headache since then. In for over $7,000 in repairs since turning 4/50k. Would have been more if the dealer hadnt taken pity on us. Literally in the shop to the tune of $1200+ every six months. And Im not talking maintenance. That is expected. Conversely, my 2001 BMW just had its first non routine service (less than $2k btw). With just over 91k miles and at 7 years, the time has come to replace this vehicle. My advice if you must drive an Audi is to get yourself a nice 36-48 month lease and then toss it back to the dealer before the problems surface.

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  Hunk of Junk - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By allroadjunk - August 5 - 1:59 pm

  Buyers beware of this Audi at any price! I traded in my wife’s Lexus RX300 with 100K (great car) for a 2004 All Road with 75K. A week after we got the Audi the turn signal failed and the part cost over $100. To make things worse, it is under a front dash plate that is impossible to remove without breaking the cheap tabs that hold the metal clips ($150 to replace). Within a month it started to leak oil and I was told that the seal was a known problem and impossible to replace without a top end tear down (eight hours of labor). I did this repair and the trimming belt at a cost of over $2,600. Then a coil went and I was told to replace all six due to an Audi recall. A few months later warning lights started coming on and sensors that cost $300 plus to replace started to become common. I am now at 90K and I have another oil leak going to the turbo (min $500) and the air suspension has gone bad ($1,700 per wheel and should be done in pairs) and my check engine and ABS lights are going on and off. After owning over 65 cars, this is truly the biggest hunk of junk! Audi should step up and do a recall on the suspension and oil problems. While they did the right thing by discontinuing the “All Road” model they apparently still have many problems with the A6 (according to a 2010 worst rating survey) and God help you if you have an A8. My brother gave his to the “Cash for Clunkers” program.

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  Great car but uncomfortable front seats - 2009 Audi A4
  By JB - August 2 - 2:23 pm

  Both front seats proved to be uncomfortable during long driving periods. The problem is that the seats side support bolsters are so high and firm (firmer than all other luxury cars of the same class) that they provide undue pressure on the hip bones. The outside side supporting plastic exacerbates the situation by noT allowing any amount of downward give of the seat. Thus, when exiting the vehicle, the plastic support and firm bolster provides undue pressure on legs.

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  Replaced Brakes & Tires @ 18K - 2007 Audi Q7
  By JPE - July 5 - 9:32 pm

  I just spent almost $2000 to replace the brakes & rotors and the tires on my Audi Q7, which is only two years old and has only 18,000 miles on it. I called the Audi dealership, and they said I must "drive the car hard." They also said they see plenty of Q7s that need brake replacements at 18K. Im a middle aged housewife--not a teenage speed racer who slams on the brakes Im more like Driving Miss Daisy. After reading many reviews, I have found out that many other owners have had to do the same "routine maintenance" during the course of their leases. Unfortunately, the $500 maintenance package that I bought when the lease started only covers oil changes. Luxury Jiffy Lube.

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  Nice to drive when you can - 2003 Audi A6
  By Bummed - June 27 - 1:48 pm

  Love this luxury car! Then I find out that there are all sorts of water problems associated with these and most other VWs and Audis. Of course this happens after warranty, not that the warranty would cover it any way. What a horrible issue! Thousands of dollars in repairs when all I needed when purchased was to be told about "cleaning drains?" Have now read hundreds of people having same issues. Why wont they admit that German Engineering can have defects, too? I guess thats why the rich get richer. Audi fans (which I was one of) claims theyre not even broken in until 100,000 miles! You cant get there! Im at 76,000 miles and the car is ruined. Dont let your Audi get rained on.

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  More maintance than I can afford - 2001 Audi A6
  By Tim - June 21 - 7:41 pm

  Bought it used thinking I could put 200,000 miles on it. Not so, Engine gaskets and seals twice, frozen turbo, Airbag controller those are the $1,00 plus. Less than $1,000 tie rods, control arms, misc suspension parts, window guides, differential seals (all 3), O2 sensors. Fun to drive , great to look at but built poorly.

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  Looks Good, Runs Bad - 2002 Audi A4
  By jetche - June 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car instead of a 325xi, what a mistake. Horrible initial build quality. Drivers seat squeaks constantly, dealer refuses to acknowledge problem. Every time it snows(which is what I bought the car for)the windshield wipers freeze or the motor locks up and the wipers remain stuck right in the line of vision. I am also experiencing crazy electrical problems, I will turn off the esp and my turn signal will activate and my headlights will shut off. Now there is a re-call for the ignition coil. The Bose stereo is nice, just dont try to listen to it with the sunroof open. I Want My 1999 2.8 Q Back ! What was audi thinking.

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  Ill never buy an Audi again. Stay away. - 1997 Audi A4
  By Charlie - June 9 - 9:26 am

  I bought this car mainly because of the look. I still love the look. Its too bad the rest of the car doesnt hold up. These cars are finicky. If you dont use synthetic oil you are asking for trouble. My car is dead after 150k miles due to oil sludge - which is sad for a car built in the 90s. I gave it regular 3k oil changes, but I used normal oil. Thats only part of the problem. This car was in the garage every 6 months for this, that and the other. Expensive suspension failures, Cat converters going out, water pump, cracked fluid reservoirs, valve gasket leak, etc., etc., etc. Come on Audi - have some pride.