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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  Very disappointed - 2001 Audi A4
  By NY Audiman - September 10 - 8:20 am

  I bought this car new. Maintained it to spec. Have had repeated problems including the radio failed temperature sensor failed twice LED display is failing outside temp sensor is flaky. Today my dealer told me to service a zillion more things and quoted the repair bill at $4900! No way! This for a 7 year old car with about 64,000 miles. Get real. Im never buying an Audi every again. (They even design it badly for maintenance ... its a nightmare to service ... so the labor charges add up quickly.) In contrast, my Acura never needed anything special ... its back to the Japanese in a few months for me.

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  Solid performer with great intentions - 2003 Audi A4
  By Andrew - September 10 - 1:15 am

  The car is reliable, it breaks but rarely is it anything that you cant get home on. I grenaded the clutch 2 months after I got it (the clutch was shot when I bought it) and sawed through the transmission case, but she still got me home! It is a fast car, and there are many modifications out there!

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  Love/Hate Hate - 2003 Audi A4
  By Spin90 - September 9 - 2:22 pm

  This is truly a driver’s car, both interior and exterior finish had a classy sturdy feel. Economy and performance were great, 25/city and highway up to 33 long range trips. Now for the nightmare, the list that went wrong was excessive, items that normally should have no problems for 10 years/100,000 miles started to fail within two week of ownership. Although the warranty/dealer took care of everything while in warranty, afterwards it got out of control. Audi could care less other than to close my filed complaints as soon as possible. Own it get rid of it after warranty, shelf life is short.

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  Dissapointment - 2008 Audi A6
  By riberg27 - September 8 - 1:49 pm

  I looked at all cars that could possibly fit my criteria. I wanted top performance in a 4 wheel drive car. I finally settled on the A6. Although this car is fantastic in so many ways,the lack of road feel and poor wieght distribution is very unsettling. I cant understand why they would build a great car, but which lacks basic handling characteristics. My daughters 06 Accord has much better road feel and handling characteristics than this car. I would even go so far as to say this car is quite dangerous if you try to drive it on a curvy road at high speed. The V8 is too much power for the poor handling. I am very dissapointed I wish I would have gone with the BMW

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  Adults Only - 2009 Audi A5
  By DSB A5 - September 7 - 11:27 pm

  I had test drives in the G37, TT and A5 and had to think long and hard on what was a very difficult choice. The A5 finally won me over with its fabulous lines matched perfectly to a class leading interior and Audi build quality. Im giving up a 2003 BMW 330ci which I really love for this car. I came to the conclusion that there comes a time in life when its not the fastest 0-60 time that matters. The A5 is responsive enough for me (although the D position is pretty woeful for spirited driving) in sport or manual shift mode. Driving home from the dealership (83 miles) with the A5 was a joy. Long distance cruising in this car is a pleasure. Sound insulation is excellent with 18" wheels.

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  First Audi - 2002 Audi A4
  By alow13 - September 7 - 10:00 am

  This is my first car, I have driven a truck for the last 8 years and so far I absolutely love this car. The seats are very comfortable and I have plenty of room 64. I think that everything about the car is fantastic. A beautiful car that really stands out among the sea of BMWs and Benzs that flood California.

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  Love a first sight - 2000 Audi S4
  By Oscar Vera - September 6 - 1:34 pm

  I bought my Audi from my boss who needed a van for his family so I took it off his hands. I was like love a first sight. Ive had it for a year. Dependable, great handling. Works great in the winter. Havent seen a car around town to beat me. Really fast car and nice luxurious touch in the inside as well as the outside

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  Burns oil - 2008 Audi A4
  By Morris - September 6 - 10:44 am

  My 2008 Audi A4 Quattro burns oil at a rate of 1 quart per 1000 miles. The oil level warning came on at 6000, 10000 and 14000 miles. Each time I had it checked at the dealer where it was purchased and was told each time that no leaks were found and that it was operating normally. They also measured the aforementioned burn off rate according Audi guidelines and informed me that it was "well within Audi specifications and no action is required." These engines are problematic and Audi knows it.

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  Disappointed - 2008 Audi Q7
  By Stephanie - September 5 - 8:02 pm

  My husband purchased this car for me and traded in our A4 cab for it. I loved it at first. Then a month into ownership, the trunk latch broke. It wouldnt close all the way so I had to drive the hour away to the nearest dealership (twice) to get it fixed. 2 weeks ago, my MMI system stopped working and it was stuck to only play CDs. I took it in today and was told youre out of luck because you spilled something on it. Had I known this was such a common problem, I wouldnt have bought this car. Now I have to shell out the money out of pocket to replace the MMI system. After reading a bunch of reviews, it seems to be an extremely common problem.

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  Excellent, Fun Car for the Money! - 2008 Audi A3
  By ASM - September 5 - 2:20 pm

  This is a great car, and I have had plenty to compare it to. I also own a Prius, which I kept, but I wanted a "fun" car, and I got that. I know everyone raves about the automatic, but frankly I love the stick shift. It is very responsive, and once you get use to the great distance the clutch goes in (I am only 54") shifting is very smooth! I have an hour drive to and from work everyday, and this has made it a pleasure!