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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  Impractical 3rd row - 2007 Audi Q7
  By FB - February 17 - 11:07 am

  When you are spending in the range of $55,000 to $65,000 you deserve comfort. I am quite disappointed with the 3rd row. First the 2nd row glide rail is not flush mounted, 2nd getting in to 3rd row is nearly impossible since seat does not retract fully, 3rd there is no room for even feet between two rows. Also no DVD player option.

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  Sticks to road, but roBs your wallet - 1999 Audi A4
  By DEO - February 7 - 7:41 pm

  I bought the car used with about 90K miles. Worked fine until 110K. I have since spent over $3000. Ive never spent so much on a car and I always buy cars around 100K. However, Ive stuck to Japanese cars before. Ive learned my lesson. Im looking to trade it in for a Subaru. What every one elses review says is true. Fun to drive, expensive to maintain.

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  hesitation - 2017 Audi Q7
  By Diann Roy - January 27 - 6:47 pm

  The Q7 2015 has inconsistent hesitation upon acceleration which is a safety concern when pulling into traffic. Not a happy Audi buyer.

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  A versatile car in every way except... - 2004 Audi S4
  By Dr. Michael Busse - January 22 - 4:53 pm

  This vehicle is very versatile. It isnt the fastest car nor the sexiest nor the safest but it IS the best combination of all of these. It is plenty fast, has very good looks, fit and finish, has all the safety features one could want such as curtain airbags and AWD, and has the ability to be usefull year round in northern climates. What this car isnt is reliable. They are expensive to repair largely due to the very tight packaging constraints of fitting in the v8. Common issues include clutches, valve cover gaskets, coilpacks, tensioner pullies, and starters. In three months of ownership the car visited the dealership 4 separate times with a total of 2 thousand in repairs (warrantied).

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  Always in need of repairs. - 2007 Audi A6
  By Marcelo - January 2 - 8:11 pm

  Since purchase, the car presented steering and eletrical problems. Audi USA claims the vehicle is operating to specs. It drifts left and right. Several alignments and hundreds of dollars later, I just got used to the way it behaves. Electrical problems include warning lights that will not go off. Stereo not working. MMI malfunction. Undercarriage plastic protection ripped off with RAIN WATER. Plastic parts wear off too fast. The AWD feature is very nice and helps with the handling. The interior is very nice. Hopefully Audi will master their product eventually. I will not be a repeat buyer though. Front bumper comes off when parking.

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  Be careful - 1997 Audi Cabriolet
  By scott - December 1 - 2:46 pm

  I love this car as far as ride and handling goes. Fuel economy is not what I expected. It has a tendency to be a money pit with regards to constant minor repairs. The quality of the car leaves one baffled when you consider the association of the name. Although, as I said I like the ride and handling, it is most doubtful that I would ever buy another one.

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  Lower back problems driver seat - 2016 Audi Q5
  By Jane Ceurvorst - November 22 - 7:09 am

  Started having lower back problems one month after purchasing the car. Did not realize it was the car with my back until my husband drove it and he had the same problems. Had to trade after 14 months of owning the car due to the problems. Only after driving my new car for one day, already feeling relief.

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  Avoid this car. - 2001 Audi TT
  By Disappointed Owner - November 17 - 3:29 pm

  I have owned this car for over three years now. I have replaced or repaired the following: 2 o2 sensors ($750), MAF sensor ($400), timing belt & fuel pump ($600), CV boot X2 ($200), fuel sending unit ($675), both power windows motors ($1050), exhaust manifold ($1400), headlight bulbs X2 ($275), oil leak ($150), vacuum leak ($275), instrument cluster ($900).... there are other repairs I have done.... but just cant recall right now. Add it up, it is about $7000 in repairs. Take my advice, this car is unreliable and normal repairs are very expensive. Avoid this car!!

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  Good basic transportation - 1999 Audi A4
  By Barry Kramer - November 16 - 11:31 am

  For the northland the A4T quattro is an excellent choice. However, I have experienced the electronic glitches that my dealership says are unique to this model year. I gave up my BMW E30 with 300k for the quattro and will likely go back in the near future for the fun and driving experience. All in all good transportation, but I would for sure seek out the sport pkg if another A4 hits my radar.

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  Yes its good looking but not reliable - 2007 Audi Q7
  By armen - November 8 - 4:39 pm

  All I can say that the car looks good inside and out. But unfortunately I had the car less than two weeks and 500 miles, car check engine light came on and the car started to choke and transmission started to stall and oil light came on and its been in the shop for 5 days already and the good part is that they don’t have a clue what is going on with the car.