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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  Joy Ride - 2004 Audi S4
  By 04b6jc22 - August 28 - 10:28 am

  What an apsolute joy to drive one of these. I have an 04 with suspension, brakes, RS4 wheels, Milltek exhaust addons. Simple bolt ons, but i wouldnt put this kind of money into something i didnt think was worth it. I am a total nerd/gear head when it comes to cars and this is only one of a few affordable cars i drool over. Its not the fastest car. If a 911 turbo pulls up besides you, dont waste the fuel. But if one of those chump Mustangs try to pull the same crap (again. Dont waste your time and fuel), but be assure that if hes dumb enough to challenge, youll take the cake. Rides like its on rails and screams through the corners. It makes a rumble that will cause earth quakes!

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  Best car ive ever owned. - 2014 Audi A6
  By ppace232 - August 27 - 4:26 pm

  I absolutely love this car. I recently upgraded from an Avalon. There is no comparison. The diesel engine provides tons of power and I still get 30+ mpg despite my aggressive driving style. Every button for every function is easily within reach and does not distract from the great driving experience.

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  2.0t oil consumption solutions - 2010 Audi A4
  By keegs1224 - July 31 - 3:57 pm

  A review to all those having oil consumption problems: I bought my 10 a4 2.0t about a year ago off of a lease with about 16k on it. I was sick of bringing it to the dealer where I purchased it from for a top of because of the "oil min" light. IT IS NOT NORMAL. Switched my servicing to another Audi Dealer in the DC area, and they learned that my turbo and pistons were not made up to par with what my car required (something about a bad batch). Both my turbo and all oil parts were just replaced in hopes that it will solve the problem and will cause less oil to be burned without necessity. As long as you are persistant, they will fix the problem. Just dont bring it to a dbag dealer

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  Rev it up! - 1999 Audi A4
  By nanonevol - July 31 - 9:54 am

  Fun to drive. Handles great with AWD and goes right up snowy hills in Worcester. Overall solid feel to the car. Doesnt look like a 15 year old car at all and I dont do anything special to take care of it. Expensive repairs come with the deal - expect them. Wheel bearings (make sure your wheels are balanced and car aligned), flex pipes, dirt in ABS sensor lights the dash. Dash is currently lit up like a Christmas tree. Ill miss it but Im scrapping it with too many repairs needed for an 06 Ford Escape Hybrid AWD (I MUST have AWD)

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  My engine is gone!!! fabric defect very Sad - 2013 Audi A4
  By spockweb - July 30 - 8:48 pm

  I have an Audi A4 (VIN: WAUAFAFL9DA143522 / IEN913) bought on April 25, 2013. Recently, I took the car to the service area due to the fact that it was vibrating vigorously while driving. The diagnosis was that a piston was broken and a whole engine replacement was required. In conversation with my service advisor,he informs me that etiology of the damage is related to a factory defect. The car has a current mileage of 21,997 and I have been most responsible with the recommended service schedule, including oil and filter changes. The car has been going through many issues since I bought. I left it in the service area, with the keys, I didnt wanted again!!!

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  Brake failure - 2014 Audi S4
  By stevef13 - July 30 - 11:55 am

  I bought the S4 because it is advertised as a track car by Audi at their Sports Car Experience at Infineon Raceway. After a warm up session, then 15 minutes on the track I had fade and then failure from my brakes. At the dealership the rotors were determined to be bad. I have owned so many cars, 10 Audis, and NEVER has this happened. According to the dealership Audi USA will not cover the brakes they put in my car. How is it the S4s they have you track at their raceway last but mine cannot? This car is not for tracking since the manufacturer does not back up its product and treats loyal owners poorly. Truth in engineering= failure to support customers.

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  Known Navigation problem that Audi will not tell you - 2014 Audi Q5
  By garakl - July 30 - 2:06 am

  I own the 2014 Audi Q5 TDI for 6 months. Love everything in this car except MMI. Recently discovered a problem with Navigation - sometimes, it looses GPS signal and when re-acquires, it recalculates your position by 1-2 miles off your real location. MMI reset does not help. All that helped so far, is to stop the car, turnoff the ignition, and wait for 10-15 minutes. AUDI is aware of this problem, but has no solution. Today, after 6 month of very gentle use, I have only 6K miles on the car, its rear view camera stopped working, shows green chaotically blinking stripes and rectangles. I am very disappointed. I planned to keep the car, but now I am glad that I leased it first.

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  Still in Love over 1 year in - 2013 Audi A8
  By djefferson - July 21 - 12:15 am

  I purchased my A8 late spring 2013 and have had no surprises, just pure driving pleasure. This change to Audi was driven by frustration of dealer practices to purchase a new Mercedes S-550/S350 Bluetec at that time a 2012/13 model. I was promised an excellent deal but after almost 4days of back/forth on price and frustration,I went looking for Audi and Im very happy I did. The only reason for not leaving any sooner I had 4 new Benzs within the last 6yrs from that dealership. Forget about loyalty. Love what you drive. I really do. This big girl has excellent dance moves..Rain or Shine, Curves or Straights it drives like a smaller car begging to show off. Both City/Hwy MPG is impressive.

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  Love it! - 2004 Audi A4
  By caspersim - July 11 - 4:07 pm

  Owned my A4 1.8T for a year now, bought it used. I love it, the cost of service is a bit higher but the car seems to not need service as often, but time will tell. The interior is beautiful and comfy, but there is a serious lack of cup holders...Performance is amazing, for a 4 cylinder car it has some serious power with the turbo, and the car corners like a dream. Handles very good in winter conditions with the Quattro

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  Ugly but overall a great car - 1997 Audi A8
  By felipe444444 - July 11 - 7:12 am

  I just reached 200,000 miles on my car it runs well very comfy and very fun to drive a great car for student drivers