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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  Disappointed - 2008 Audi A6
  By P. Shafer - April 18 - 7:20 pm

  Weve been a Volvo family for over 15 years and decided to "step up" to an Audi after thorough research and test drives. The car is beautify, spacious, and has more gadgets than we need but the kids love it. The ride is spectacular. However, in just 14 months we have had to take the car back 5 times for check engine light. One of the Cylinders (#5) they tell us is bad. The car has stalled on my wife stranding her and my daughter at the side of the road. We are delighted with their road-side assistance and loaner program but frankly miffed that weve had to use it about every other month. At this time we are not happy with our decision. I also see others have had the same issue.

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  Love my car.....but....things to know - 2003 Audi A4
  By Damien - April 18 - 1:34 pm

  I love my audi and will say that it drives the same as the day I bought it (with 8800 miles on it). With that said, repairs are expensive so you should know that. Find a good VW or Audi mechanic and dont use your dealership as they are a rip off. Here are some things I have paid for on my car with 86K miles on it. At 43K a new clutch....70K a new timing belt, spark plugs, and water pump, front breaks at 72K and rear breaks at $77K.....82K catalytic converter, 85K miles suspension arms, etc. In the last year I have put $5,000 in my audi and plan to keep it for another 80K miles. My mechanic has been great and lesson learned is after the warranty was up I should have found a mechanic.

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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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  Fun to Drive, Smooth Ride! - 2009 Audi A4
  By sla-ny - April 17 - 7:57 am

  Previously owned two 6-cylinder Jaguar X-Types. The Audi A4 ride is fantastic the 4-cylinder Quattro engine is very powerful. Tiptronic manual shift is fun (but dangerous-- must be careful to avoid speeding ticket)! This vehicle is beautiful, roomy, and hugs the road. Because its low to the ground you have to be careful when parking, so the front end isnt damaged by concrete barriers.

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  Audi A4 - A huge dissapointment - 1998 Audi A4
  By Audi owner-Maryland - April 15 - 10:00 am

  All I can really say is that this is the WORST car Ive ever owned. I bought the vehicle with 38,000 miles and by 48,000 it needed new rear brake pads and rotors. But that was just the beginning. At 60,000 miles, the rear struts and bearing had gone. At 65,000 the front CV joints has deteriorated to the point of failure. Now, at 68,000 miles the car is in the shop due to excessive engine noise and the fact the engine check light has gone on. Im afraid of what the shop is going to tell me. In fairness to the car, it performs fantastic and looks great. But the reliability problems that have plauged Audi in the past are well evident in the newer models as well.

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  Awesome car - 1999 Audi A4
  By jona - April 15 - 10:00 am

  Poor mans BMW. Every single person that has been in this car said they would buy it instead of a BMW. Drive it in wet weather and there is no comparison - you cant even tell its raining this thing sticks to the ground so well. No sway around corners and it handles very confidently. Anyway, everyone and their brother is driving a 3-series (here in San Francisco).

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  Best car ever - 2004 Audi A4
  By audi 1.8t - April 13 - 1:34 am

  This car is better than any other. Has awesome stereo lots of bass sounds great. Has lots of power from a 1.8 t. Great sport suspension rides as if the car was riding on rails, love the smooth shifting. Really beats any other car. Great gas mileage, comfortable to drive over 1200 miles.

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  Lovely drive, a hit @ home - 2009 Audi A4
  By Rohit - April 12 - 11:00 am

  Looked at the Infiniti G37 and BMW 3 series before settling on the Audi A4. Owned an A6 over 10 years ago, and wasnt sure if we wed buy another Audi, but the A4 has bested all my expectations in the little time Ive had it. Didnt need AWD as we have a SUV at home, so I got the FWD with Sport package in Premium Plus trim. Car drives beautifully, hugs the road esp on turns, sounds great, and the LEDs turn heads for sure. The MMI is very easy to learn and the AMI and Bluetooth work like a breeze. The extended length also comes in handy. The next few years will tell me how much theyve improved the Reliability but so far so good.

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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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  Excellent Car!!! - 2003 Audi S6
  By rlw - April 11 - 11:57 am

  The car has great power and stability. Quattro handling is excellent in snow. The flexibility of the transmission from full auto, sport auto to pseudo manual with paddle shifters is great. I never think twice about power to maneuver. I look forward to driving the car every time. Also, the lower/wider stance keeps the car firmly gripping the road and gives it a great look. It is the perfect blend between utility and sport.