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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  Beautiful, but only to the eye. - 1997 Audi Cabriolet
  By Random Beast - May 27 - 5:00 pm

  This vehicle is very, very attractive. Mechanically it has been very disappointing. The engine is lame. I dont need a power house but this engine is simply not eager. Weve had many problems with this car, passenger seat jammed, engine light on consistently, front suspension issues, roof wont open all the time, driver window regulator blew, fuel gauge inaccurate and fails, replaced fuel tank evaporator valve, seats squeak, replace engine seals due to oil leaks, water pump failed early, cigarette lighter doesnt work, radio antennae mast failed, trunk lid struts failed and other minor irritants. The car isnt as good a handling vehicle as my 97 BMW. Fuel economy isnt stellar. Dont buy 1!

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  I wish I never bought this car! - 2003 Audi A4
  By qe212 - May 13 - 12:21 pm

  I bought my A4 in November of 2006 with 33K miles and now have 64K on it. I live in New England and wanted a 4 wheel drive sedan. In the three years I have owned the car Ive replaced the windshield wiper motor twice ($500 each) and the windshield washer pump once! Ive also had to replace the the rack and pinion steering, all 6 ignition cylinders, timing belt and water pump (Audi recommendation = $1200), brakes. Im at the point Im afraid to drive the car on any long trips and use it as little as possible. Ill be trading it in soon for a Honda Civic (going to take a hit on the trade in value and what I owe) but I just cant afford to keep the Audi.

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  Very VERY Disappointed - 2006 Audi A3
  By Baz Naz - May 4 - 2:34 pm

  I was excited to finally own an Audi. At first the car was fun to drive then things started to go wrong at around 12,000 miles. First the diaphragm for the turbo. Then the DSM Transmission failed. Had to get towed. After my dealer rebuilt the transmission the car lurches into gear never a smooth take off. Last week the entire cam shaft had to be replaced because the lobes on the shaft that drive the fuel pump worn completely through the follower and into the pump itself. Check engine light comes on constantly. Engine uses 1 quart of oil every 4,000 miles. Sun roof cover has been broken 3 times since I got the car and now is fixed with a temporary paper clip. Ugghhh!

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  Too bad they dont make it in yellow... - 2003 Audi A4
  By AudiOwnerNeverAgain - April 29 - 10:00 am

  ...becase this car is LEMON Since I purchased this car it has been towed three seperate times to the dealer for repairs. The first two times were due to faulty ignition coils. The nail in the coffin was the last time it was towed due to a spun rod bearing due to low oil pressure caused by what I was told is a not uncommon issue with the 1.8T. In addition the car has been brought half a dozen times due to other minor defects.

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  German Junk - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Mike - April 21 - 9:35 am

  Despite meaningful price-incentive at purchase, discount cant make up for poor quality and ongoing issues. Brakes and tires needed replacing at ~25K mi in response to which dealer congratulated me for outlasting the average (most customers only get 22K out of both at best)... Reason: heavy weight. Quickly upgraded tires (they were pathetic in snow/ice - seems insane for an AWD SUV) but had to stick with same (lousy) brakes due to some proprietary sensors (anyone test this theory?). Sunroof rattles, steering wheel vibrates at 70 mph, 2nd row seat rattles like a 15-year old Chevy pick-up. Dealer happy to keep trying to fix but sick of driving A4 loaners.

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  Dont buy a 2000 A6Q - 2000 Audi A6
  By Greg H - April 17 - 3:38 pm

  Beautiful to look at. Metallic tan w/ a tan inside brown dash. I still have my 1996 A6 w/ 250,000 miles on it as we speak I have to drive the 96 because the 2000 is in the shop. Since owning the car Ive replaced both cat converters w/ O2 sensors, timing belt water pump , all ball joints and tie rods, a number of blown cooling hoses (leaving me stranded) including 1 that was inside the engine $$$$. Spent over $2,000 on a oil leak (still leaks) was told that its natural for that to happen, sensors etc. My 96 was sooo flawless and fun to drive much more powerful and comfortable. THE ABSOLUTE BEST CAR IVE EVER OWNED!!!. I COULDNT WAIT TO GET A NEWER ONE AND NOW ILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER AUDI

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  Re-Review to BAD - 2008 Audi A3
  By Amylynn - April 12 - 8:01 am

  I posted a review after I bought my Audi last August raving about it. I now wish to retract my raves! The ride and fun level are all great...but I am burning thru a quart of oil about every 1000 - 1500 miles! I cant even make it to a regular oil change without the light coming on or me putting oil in it sometimes twice. Terrible! I am dumping this thing before it dies on me. I drive 120 mile a day and cant risk being left on the side of the road, Audi care or not! I am going back to a Honda or Toyota...loved both! Too bad, such a beautiful car.

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  Very Disappointed - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Kelly - April 9 - 3:08 pm

  Very nice looking car but brakes have been squealing since the day I bought it. Resurfaced twice. At 15K service told me I needed new brakes at the cost of $2k. Said they changed the warranty on brakes to 12K miles and I see why now. Neither Audi nor dealership were helpful just basically said "sorry". From what I understand there have been many brake problems in this vehicle. Brakes still squeal. Terrible customer service from Audi headquarters and dealership and obviously do not stand behind their vehicles. It is a fun car to drive but for the money I spent you would expect high quality and customer service. Fuel economy bad even for an SUV. DO NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE.

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  Brakepad Eater? Tire Eater? - 2017 Audi Q5
  By Michael - April 6 - 11:25 pm

  I wanted this car big-time. I have been researching it, along with the BMW X1, for several months. But I recently learned that a couple of friends I trust have this car. They like it ok, but expressed concerns about the expense of maintaining the brakepads and tires. The X1 is faster -- by a fraction of a second -- if that matters to you a lot. But I have owned 3 BMWs over the years and have found that their engineering is very hard to beat. Add to that that the pricing is much better on the BMW, I think it makes more sense.

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  Burning Oil - 2007 Audi A4
  By ashou - April 1 - 5:56 pm

  I have to take my car in every 1500 to 2000 miles to have oil put in because the car is burning the oil so fast. This is my 3rd Audi and I purchased this one under the assumption it would be like my others, oil change every 10,000 miles, I was wrong. The dealership keeps telling me this is normal and I dont believe them. Ive contacted a lawyer because I want my car fixed before it goes out of warranty and find myself needing to replace a $10,000 engine.