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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  Lemonade on Wheel - 2003 Audi A4
  By Lemonade Vendor - December 6 - 9:21 am

  First of all, this is the worst car Ive ever owned. Second of all, the worst car I ever owned...now you got my point. At 57k miles replaced the CVT transmission ($8K), CV boot 4x, headlight every 3-6months, it goes on. Never will ever buy or own an Audi again, worst than Yugo and Id rather drive a Pacer.

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  Costly to Own - 1999 Audi A6
  By Robin - November 21 - 4:58 pm

  Read before buying. I bought the car for dependability and I have been in the shop more than anyone I know with what people consider lesser cars. I have replaced all ball joints (twice over) and I do not drive hard, replaced rotors, breaks. The heated, tinted mirrors are peeling on one side. Some interior items just broke at a touch. Went thru a period of the car starting randomly, currently revisiting that problem again. The dash diplay fades out. The car had low mileage when I purchased it and had been maintained by the previous owners. Thanking myself for not selling my old car as it has been there for me when the Audi fails. I do not think I would buy one again, not impressed.

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  Car from HELL! - 2001 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Widower - November 19 - 8:03 am

  I purchased the Certified Allroad to replace my wife’s 1999 Lexus RX300 that had zero problems in 90000 miles (65000 when bought). My wife passed away from cancer and it was emotionally difficult for me to drive her car. I thought the Audi would serve a dual purpose of SUV for camping and nice transportation for travel to my children who live several hours away in snowy regions. I underestimated the enormous unreliability. In 18000 miles, it’s had problems with the suspension system (very pricey), the cooling system (shop for 10 days after very frightening breakdown), windshield wipers, transmission, electric windows, airbag system, trim falling off or breaking. Audi has been no help.

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  Wish I wouldve done my homework - 2007 Audi Q7
  By schwartzps - October 29 - 5:51 pm

  Like many of you I fell in love with the Q7. Ive had it a year heres my issues: electrical system went out (brains of the car), fuel gage failed, 3 tire flat tires within 1 year. Also had the same problem as someone earlier as a very small amount of liquid spilled next to the drink cups. It shorted my system to the tune of $1,000. Love the car and hate the car at the same time.

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  Worst car ever - 2004 Audi A6
  By btoring - September 22 - 7:54 pm

  Vehicle started leaking oil and running rough at less than 12k. Dealer would not repair. Finaly after many complaints, dealer found coolant was leaking into the head gaskets. Short story is dealer has had the head gaskets out 3 separate times to resurface, car still leaking oil, repaired that several times. I was told the car is like a piece of cheese, when one hole is fixed, another opens up! That must be professional mechanic speak. Car has been in 29 times for serious repair in less than 2 years.

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  Gentlemen, Open Your Wallets - 1998 Audi A4
  By eyemd - September 13 - 6:24 am

  I purchased this vehicle new and loaded with all options including the 2.8 V6 because I was seduced by timeless looks and the AWD feature. I took loving care of the car, returning to the dealer for all scheduled service intervals and driving the car gently. Once the warranty expired, I was rewarded with a series of "routine" repairs, many well in excess of $1000, including the infamous timing belt/water pump/main seal change at 65K miles, followed shortly by new tie rods/ball joints at 75K. I had intended to keep this car for at least 150K miles, but chose not to do so by enriching the dealer (and later, competent but equally costly independent shop). Will never purchase another Audi/VW.

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  Will Cost You a Ton - 2002 Audi A4
  By pweed8 - September 12 - 5:29 pm

  My A4 was great under warranty, too bad that expired at 50,000 miles. Lately its cost about $600 a month just to keep it running, and Ive only got 90,000 miles on it. Oh and the dealership just told me I needed to replace the timing belt ($1,350) when I took it in to get checked out for the class action suit against Audi. So needless to say I will never buy another Audi agian or ever recommend anyone buy one.

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  A Piece of Junk! - 2007 Audi Q7
  By N. Keenan - August 13 - 8:20 am

  Bought the top of the line model fully loaded and a year later it has proven to be a piece of junk! Brakes squealing since 5k and Audi is telling us "it is normal and acceptable - just due to the design". Even gave us a fancy printed brochure justifying the squealing! Motor in rear wiper already needed replacement, recall on trunk software, and MMI mysteriously stops working from time to time. Told we will need to replace tires "soon" despite only having 15.8k mi on car and have only owned it one year. Audi has produced a fine looking car but the quality stops there! Do not buy one!

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  Dont buy the Audi - 2005 Audi A8
  By Audi Owner - July 5 - 9:34 am

  I have owned the car for nearly 4 years. The electronics in car have been a mess. It has been in the shop over a dozen times and they still can not seem to get it right. Many of the problems are episodic and not constant. At times, the lights will not go off unless you restart the car and drive it around for a few minutes before turning it off. At other times it will tell you a tire is low on air pressure when it is fine. I have given up on trying to get them to fix it and will be disposing of it for a Lexus. Dont buy one. They look great but the reliability is just not there.

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  Let down - 2007 Audi Q7
  By TerryLI - June 12 - 12:07 pm

  Finally plunked down the cash for a German driving machine. Great handling, solid engine, but what a disappointment on the rest. From a jerky transmission (no trouble found of course)and creaky transmission to a $1200 MMI console from 2 drops of water and a door handle that fell off (these last two I hear happen all the time). Finish is falling off the console, cargo net fell off twice, gas door sticks open. I expect far better for this price car. Who is giving this all those 9.5s? Are their cars still in the dealer lot, or did I get a lemon?