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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  60000 Mile failure - 2001 Audi A4
  By SBrown - May 23 - 11:46 am

  I love the driving experience of the A4. The handling is phenomenal and the comfort is excellent. Not to mention the heads that turn when Im going down the road. The only issue was that after 2 months the engine failed and has to be replaced. It had only 60,000 miles on it. I would not wish a 1.8T engine on my worst enemy. Nor would I ever puchase another Audi.

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  Worst Purchase Ever! BEWARE! - 1999 Audi A4
  By Karl - May 8 - 7:10 pm

  I wish I could go back to the day I bought this A4 and run. It has been nothing but trouble since day one. Problem 1) Ruined front suspension = $1600. Problem 2) Defective turbo valve = $450 Problem 3) Defective catelytic converter = $1100 Problem 4) Defective wheel bearings = $Leaving Them...... And so on and so forth. Basically, this car is an overpriced and less reliable Ford Pinto. I should have bought an Escort - this thing was the biggest mistake Ive ever made. I will buy a BMW next time. Consider yourself warned.

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  The Truth, a REVIEW you need to READ - 2006 Audi A3
  By unsatisfied - April 13 - 7:21 pm

  Less than 1yr old. Ive ran into every problem imagineable. Let me list all the problems ive had: 1) Locking mechanism: rear locks stopped locking, dont know how or what I did to them (maybe nothing?). 2) Alarm engaging: days later, alarm stopped. Service guy told me to manually lock (you do not pay for a pseudo luxury car to manually lock your car). 3) Moon roof malfunction: the mesh screen would get stuck, I took it back 3 times. 3rd time due to me running over a curb cuz I was pulling so hard. 4)Sun visor & tail light: went out in 6 months. 5) foglight grill: flew off on freeway. $100 something to replace. 6) airbag malfunction. 7) speakers: front ones went out, they said it was my fault for loose wire.

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  disappointed - 2002 Audi A4
  By rich - March 12 - 11:30 am

  The A4 is a nice looking car that doesnt deliver. If you are looking to purchase this car, take the extended warranty and make sure the dealership is close. There are many gremlins that will keep your dash warning lights lit up.

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  Deep pockets required - 1999 Audi A8
  By nomoreaudi - February 26 - 4:52 pm

  A beautiful car smooth and quiet ride. Was looking forward to several years of ownership and driving pleasure. However, transmission trouble, numerous MIL error codes and gasket leaks generated enormous shop bills, (primarily the labor to diagnose problem & access components for servicing). There are few options for service outside of the dealer network. Yet, dealers and independent shops that specialize in German automobile service alike seemed puzzled by some of the issues this car presented. At purchase time, it looked like a bargain in comparison to the Lexus LS400. However, long term cost of ownership is outrageous. 1 year repair/maint. costs exceeded $7K with no end in sight.

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  Not the Best - 2017 Audi Q5
  By Renee - February 12 - 8:12 am

  Do your homework before purchasing this vehichle.

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  Audi A4=less cash in your pocket - 1999 Audi A4
  By jkinct - January 30 - 9:18 am

  Not to beat a dead horse, this is the *absolute worse car ever*... radiator-replaced at 20k miles (warranty) ABS (twice out of pocket) brakes (out of pocket) power window (still doesnt work) suspension (major work at 40k) vacuum hoses (bad at 40k) recall after recall etc., etc., etc., This car is a nightmare for maintenance. The car stumped several mechanics several times. They just didnt know how to fix it (and these guys were very smart). They just kept throwing parts at it until the engine light or whatever went off...the nightmare is over. I just sold this stupid thing and bought lexus. Ill never ever go back to audi. ever. What a racket, make a car that fails every month and then rip off the consumer with high price parts (who ever heard of $1100 for a catalytic convertor? - x2=$2200 for exhaust components alone!!).

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  Cost of Disappointment - 1999 Audi A8
  By Blair - January 22 - 1:35 am

  This car, while I love the styling and driving it, is the largest disappointment I have ever had in a car. In the 19 months or so that I have had the car, I have had over $12K in repairs in the car. Between depreciation and cost of repairs, the car has cost me nearly $2K a month to drive, not including gas and insurance. I could have gotten a new BMW if I had wanted to pay that kind of money each month. The transmission went out on the car at 92K miles and it is $5500 to replace through Audi. Nothing from Audi has more than a 12 month/12K mile warrantee. That is pitiful considering the cost and that there are no other replacements.

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  Not reliable at all - 1998 Audi A4
  By a4wagon - January 7 - 2:00 am

  This car is junky. I owned it less than a year and had $7000.00+ in repairs. Most of the time this was my primary vehicle, I was driving my 1995 Dakota instead, because it always runs. The timing belts on these will not last until the recommended service interval. This is critical for you to replace early if you have a 2.8 car. You will be VERY VERY unhappy if your belt goes. This will cost you thousands. Just replace the belt at about 50,000. I promise youll be glad you did. After that disaster, the car still has not been running well, and as you know it takes weeks and weeks to get these repairs done on an a4 at any of the dealerships.

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  Money pit - 1999 Audi A4
  By ms - December 18 - 5:51 pm

  This is a rich mans car. I have spent more money in repairs and maintenance than on the car itself. ($2,300 in costs to pass emissions test.) I am at the garage every other month with a new problem. Do yourself and your wallet a favor and avoid this car.