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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  a4 - 2004 Audi A4
  By greggg - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Im very disappointed with the resale value of this car. My BMW had much better resale value.

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  One of the worst cars I have ever owned - 2002 Audi A4
  By Sunny - June 12 - 6:58 pm

  Loads of electrical gremlins. Spontaneously the alarm used to go off when I first got it. Radio problems, speakers cutting in and out, tweeter still busted. Dealers want $300 to replace a battery, recently paid $475 to diagnose and replace 3 feet of vacuum hose for a check engine light. Brakes were shot in 36,000 miles (my other car was good for 50,000 so it is not my driving) and tires the same. It was fun to drive when I bought it. Should have bought reliability. Maybe mine was just a lemon but I would not shop Audi/VW again.

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  Nice Looking and Roomy, but Problematic! - 2002 Audi A6
  By CSD - June 9 - 11:12 am

  Purchased the car brand new in 2002. Great looking car, and very roomy interior. However, car is extremely sluggish off the start. Acceleration can be jerky. Power windows have been a problem for me. My biggest pet peeve is the high maintenance/repair costs, as well as the frequency of repairs. I have similar issues as others, such as the instrument panel has pixel fade. Interior paint on climate control buttons have chipped.

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  Another 3.2L New Engine Failure - 2007 Audi A4
  By Ow-ee - May 28 - 9:48 pm

  Couldnt help but notice the earlier review about a new engine failure. I brought my 2007 3.2 Cabriolet in for its 5000 mile service, and when a new engine noise appeared immediately thereafter on the passenger side, Audi replaced the engine, seemingly knowing what the problem was right away. One of the cylinders had an obvious machining defect that the service department kindly showed me. Audi should not saddle the consumer with this enormous market devaluation when an obvious quality control issue like this arises. If youre buying an Audi like I did, thinking I was smarter than all the other people who have nightmare stories to tell, perhaps think again.

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  A luxury sedan wannabe - 2005 Audi A8
  By ggill - May 15 - 4:35 pm

  Ive had problems with this car ever since it was delivered. Immediately had a problem with the instrument cluster. Outside temp read below zero, so a/c would not work. Transmission noise required 10 days in shop to fix. Had several recalls. Now electronic controls (MMI) dont work. Although still under warranty, Audi wants me to pay, so they can pull and inspect unit before covering. If you call their customer service center in Michigan, be prepared for a long wait before you can speak with an "advocate", and expect a poor result. Im buying a Lexus 460, and pity whoever buys my used Audi.

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  2007 Audi S4 Avant - 2007 Audi S4
  By ericduncan - May 10 - 3:19 pm

  I bought the S4 Avant (specifically not the sedan) because I have dogs and they go everywhere with me. Im more than frustrated with the air circulation in this car. I live in Phoenix. Audi absolutely missed the boat when it comes to the comfort of anyone not sitting in the front. There are no air vents in the back (except on the floor) and while there are air vents in the back of the car, theyre only for defrosting and work only when heat comes through them. Im forced to drive my Volvo for four months out of the year because its literally cruel to have my dogs baking in the back (even though the a/c is on high). Dont buy this car unless you plan to only have one passenger.

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  Timing belt broken at 68k miles - 2001 Audi A4
  By timing belt broken - April 5 - 9:06 pm

  Nice car. European, handsome, drives nicely, especially the manual. Feels safe. Timing belt broken at merely 68k miles. It caused engine damage and I am out $6,000 now. And I drive my car very very nicely without hurting it. The manual says change the belt at 100k+ miles!! Talk about reliability.

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  Dont buy this car - 2000 Audi A4
  By Dede - March 14 - 7:20 pm

  I bought my Audi A4 1.8T in 2000 new. Over the last 7 years of ownership (and 69,000 miles) I have had to replace different sensors on the engine 7 different times, the last, just 2 weeks ago at $700 for two oxygen sensors. Just 4 days later I was in Audi service again for a hose that needed to be ordered, and a total of $170 would be needed. I was so mad I sent my Audi to the used car auction. I also had to replace brake pads every 11,000 miles. I thought this was also unreasonable. I averaged between $800 and $1,000 a year for maintenance and have decided this car is not worth owning.

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  Bad Decision to Buy - 2006 Audi A6
  By DaveS - February 24 - 8:49 pm

  I love to drive my Avant. The ride is supreme and handles great on dry or wet roads winter driving is very disappointing. The vehicle was shipped and delivered with obvious flaws in the trim and rear window glass. Several MMI modules had to be replaced, also a rear light module, and the adaptive shocks squeak and moan so badly it ruins the fun of driving the car one strut has already been replaced and another is in need. The navigation is unreliable and does not recoginze obvious short cuts. Greatly lacks in quality and reliability.

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  Audi A4 2.0T - Poor Gas Mileage - 2006 Audi A4
  By audichump - February 23 - 1:56 pm

  The gas mileage is worse than a V8 Ford F150 loaded. Ford truck 19 mpg hgwy, Audi A4 16-17 mpg hgwy!! Dont by the CVT, you cannot accelerate smoothly from a stop, it hesitates and then BAM, it lunges, especially on a ramp in a parking structure or making a left turn, nice! You cannot use the center console because it interferes with the hand brake, lovely. The brakes chatter when slowing from ~50 mph, e.g. coming down an off-ramp from the freeway. Absolutely the worst car Ive ever owned. Dont buy an Audi.