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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  not bad, not great - 1998 Audi A4
  By joezaza - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I also dreamed about an A4 for years before getting my 98 A4Q Tiptronic. The quattro is awesome in the snow. But the entire transmission was replaced at 22k mi (under warranty fortunately) and dealer could not explain why. Plus few other misc repairs. Now its out of warranty, I think Ill get something more reliable. This is a great looking, fun car to drive with a lively engine. But its not as reliable as my old Audi 90.

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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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  Wont do it again - 2002 Audi A6
  By dano1000 - May 27 - 12:42 pm

  This car is supposed to go 200,000 miles. European luxury and engineering. Less than 100,000 in I have had a plethora of minor problems (windows, trim, latches and brackets broken) and major issues (radiator rot/leak, trans slip, tie rod(s) failure). Most disappointing is that Audi doesnt seem to care -- happy to have a piece of junk riding the highways with their name on it. To set the standard, Honda replaced my transmission at 145,000 miles due to known problem. Ill stick with the Japanese.

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  Love my quattro A8 - 1998 Audi A8
  By gail - May 26 - 1:01 pm

  Love my A8. It now has 180,000 miles and going strong, great on highway. Have kept up with maintenance schedule and it still runs and looks like new but my kids said to sell it for a new one as I have had the same car for 10 yrs. I will be buying another Audi.

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  A Very Pretty Lemon - 2003 Audi A4
  By A very Pretty Lemon - May 26 - 7:24 am

  This is the prettiest lemon I have ever owned! Not worth the cost of the tires. It is very unreliable. I purchased this car for my daughter last year, a college student, and she has been stranded so many times that AAA canceled our contract after only 4 months! First the CVT went out, then its been in the shop for numerous sensor replacements. Headlight replacements, $300 a pop. Just required to have the timing belt replaced at only 80K on Friday ($1500), Saturday a.m. my daughter called and said the check engine light came back on.

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  Big Hat, No Cattle... - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By markbetsy - May 24 - 10:00 am

  When I first saw this car, i thought WOW!! thats one cool car. Audis have usually delivered "the goods" with regard to performance, but, alas this car is somewhat disappointing. turbo lag is very evident (automatic transmission); so far so that a group of disgruntled owners are petitioning audi of america to fix the "problem" as they call it a safety hazard. other HUGE performance problem is with the brake rotors. my allroad has 32,000 miles and im on my fourth set...that is completely unacceptable. driver door rattled from the first day, but always intermittently, so the repair guys thought i was an idiot...

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  best wagon we ever owned - 2004 Audi A4
  By ML/ Knoxville - May 24 - 10:00 am

  We had a Passat Wagon but this outhandles it over all. Quality , ride and handling are superb, 17 inch wheels and sport package make this wagon fun to drive. This is our second Audi we have an 2003 A-4 sedan , this one is better handling than the sedan. Harper Audi in Knoxville was a great dealership to work with. Iwould buy again from them.

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  Best car ever! - 2009 Audi Q5
  By Keith Daugherty - May 23 - 6:43 pm

  Ive had more fun driving this car than any car I have owned and Ive had several sports cars. Put the transmission in "S" and punch it and it throws you back in the seat. We test drove the Volvo, Lexus, and MDX. This car was far superior! It was the only one that said, "Buy me"! Everything about it screams quality and luxury. We have been averaging about 19 mpg. Im sure it would be higher if I could keep my foot out of it! Its just a super fun car to drive! We have the Prestige model--- definitely worth the upgrade!

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  Awesome - 2009 Audi S5
  By Mike - May 23 - 5:25 am

  Bought my US Spec Auto S5 over here in Stuttgart Germany. The 1st 600 miles break in period was hard to do on the autobahn. I have slowly stepped it up since and will not really see what it can do until I have passed the 2500 mile mark. All and all so far it has been everything I have expected. A few things I have noted are that the IPOD option does not come with an IPOD adaptor! Seats are a 6 on long trips due to comfort and I have noticed that the tires seem a little narrow over 100 mph. If you need to do an emergency slow down, the back end seems to want to get away from you but the ESP kicks in and keeps it under control. Overall I still give it a 9.

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  Now I Get It! - 2006 Audi A3
  By Florida commuter - May 22 - 2:21 pm

  I needed a decent mileage, daily commuter that I could live with. Looked at domestic and Japanese offerings - settled on an 06 A3, 2.0T, DSG, 25,000 miles for $19k. The hatch layout provides extra room when I need it. This car is fun, fun, fun. Dont know how I ever lived without DSG trans. My 1st Audi and handles awesome. Had a 09 S4 convertible loaner during last service w/o DSG and couldnt wait to get mine back. Both front and back armrest latches have broken and there was a turbo problem - handled under warranty with loaner. The little problems are worth the fun factor for me!