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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  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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  Fantastic Vehicle - 2004 Audi A4
  By Brian L. - June 9 - 4:54 pm

  Purchased the car certified pre-owned about 6 months ago. I wanted something a bit more mature with more options. Opted for this car and dont regret a thing.

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  my A4 is falling apart - 1998 Audi A4
  By Joe Azzi - June 9 - 2:03 pm

  Have dreamed about the A4 for years.Once I got it I was so glade my car was assured. Audi paid for: rear differential, clutch, faulty suspension, brake recall…I was praying that the car holds up when the warranty expired. Since then I replaced the timing belt twice in 30k, tensioner, water pump, the oil cooler, and now a ball bearing problem.A4s are overrated.Dealers have monopoly on servicing Audis, you can’t change your motor oil without going to the dealer! Audi unwilling to assist.

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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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  Allroad 6 speed - 2001 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By atalya - June 8 - 10:00 am

  The best of all worlds: sports wagon performance and handling, plus the ability to do all the back road and off-road driving I will ever need. Quiet, effortless cruiser at 90mph. Manual transmission makes car much more lively than autobox. Shifter is notchy when new, loosens up nicely by 10,000 miles. We always run the car in the lowest position for paved road driving: firmer ride and much better handling.

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  An 800-Mile Impression (now thats new) - 2003 Audi A4
  By Linda - June 8 - 10:00 am

  The fit and finish of this vehicle is amazing. If you want to know what I mean, check out the door jams between the Audi A4 Avant and the Volvo V40 the next time you are at a car show. The paint is perfect. We already have one tiny nick and can see the undercoating - no bare metal. So the metal is very well protected.

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  A fantastic car - 1998 Audi Cabriolet
  By Laurence Madill - June 8 - 8:11 am

  I am in the UK, driving a UK spec 1.8 litre model. Not the quickest off the mark, but by no means slow it keeps up with the high powered rivals and more recent cars quite easily. The handling is excellent, and although I have heard numerous reports of problems with scuttle shake, Ive not experienced this. Some high repair bills, but apart from the clutch failing, it hasnt ever broken down between standard services. Replacements as follows: clutch and flywheel at 80,000 miles, front suspension arms at 75,000 miles, brake discs and waterpump for coolant at 75,000 miles.

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  Love my Audi! - 2001 Audi A4
  By jmm - June 7 - 3:38 pm

  I have had my A4 for six years, and I still love it to this day. It is so fun to drive due to both handling and the turbo gives it an extra boost. The Quattro is a dream to drive in the snow, out performing many SUVs. The gas mileage is great! My only problems were back in 2004-05 when I had to replace the rear wheel bearings and the tie rods. Currently, when my car sits in the heat, the car beeps as if the driver side door is open, when in fact it is shut. Also, the speakers are busted. If my family wasnt growing, Id definitely buy another A4.

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  Expensive - 1997 Audi A4
  By hitman0304 - June 5 - 1:18 am

  Bought for 5k, over 3k spent on ball joints (bad design), tie-rod ends, sway bar links, steering rack and hose, lots of money! Suspension design is a joke with the exception of the struts, never need to replace, stupid stuff can break like my $1780 steering rack/hose installation. Good vehicle for a high roller who can afford to be robbed on parts and labor.

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  First, but not last Audi - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Audi Lover - June 4 - 11:51 pm

  The Audi Q7 3.6 Premium is a beautiful car. I get many people peeking through the windows trying to see the wonderful interior. I also get many compliments on how it looks everytime I go gas it or go to school. I got the Q7 after I traded in my Navigator. I hated how the Navigator drove and looked compared to Q7. The Q7 makes other SUVs look like boxes on wheels. The Q7 drives very easy in tight spaces making it feel smaller than it really is. People may think that the MMI will be hard to operate, but its not. All the rows have comfortable seats, but the third row is hard to get to. The ride is much smoother than the Navigator and goes over rough surfaces very nicely.