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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  Dont buy this vehicle!!!!! - 2000 Audi A4
  By The Whites - May 19 - 10:26 pm

  We bought our Audi 1.8T in 2000 and we were very excited about the car. As of today 5/19/2005 we have about 30,000 miles on the odometer. From the first year we owned the car we had issues with the Turbo and Quattro drive gaskets leaking air/fluid. Since the car was under warranty for 3 years, we had the gaskets replaced at the dealer for no charge. Now off warranty, the dealer told us we needed new gaskets again and it costs $800 to replace. Our driveway shows signs of oil drops. Ive known other Audi owners having similar gasket problems with their newer AUDIs. BUYER BEWARE!

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  Problems - 2001 Audi A6
  By Disappointed - May 19 - 10:33 am

  Performance is outstanding, but here are the problems Ive had recently: Check engine light is always on. Car wouldnt start, doors wont lock, alarm, windows , sunroof, controls on steering wheel, interior lights dont work. Headlights flash if I lock the car. Airbag replaced. If stuck in traffic on a hot day, the temp gauge heads for the red zone. Need to sell the car or move next door to the Audi dealership.

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  Overpriced - 2003 Audi TT
  By paulto817 - May 11 - 10:09 am

  Two plus years into owning a TT is disappointing. I have had model cars that held paint better. Chips and pits galore. The keyless remotes constantly require reprogramming, and the Audi comprehensive warranty is not all it is that good. The dealer will decide when you get what fixed, regardless of your feedback. Brakes wear, well we understand they are soft but they are within .000001 inch, so no replacement. Come back after the 50,000 mile waranty and we will be happy to replace them for a fee. My first and last Audi, just to much money for an underperforming vehicle.

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  fell apart - 2001 Audi A4
  By jenna - May 4 - 6:31 pm

  i love the look and feel of the audi A4 but now that I own one i dont know if Id ever buy another. I bought a 2001 in October of 2003, only three years old and within 4 months of owning it I had to replace the entire engine, due to sludge build up (not caused by myself but a defect in the engine-not under recall). Ive had the car for a year and a half and every two months there seems to be something else wrong with it. Ive replaced the tires, engine, battery, water pump and control arm, totaling $9,000. Maybe if I bought this car brand new it would have been great, but after a couple years, it just fell apart.

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  1997 Audi A6 Quattro - 1997 Audi A6
  By burnedByAudi - April 26 - 4:22 pm

  Every car has lemons so take this review for what it is. See suggested improvements for electrical problems. My 1997 Audi A6 quattro Sedan drives smoothly and has moderate to good acceleration at highway speeds (none to speak of off the line -- low end torque simply isnt there). The steering is unrivaled compared to all other cars Ive driven, if only there wasnt this nagging hydrolic problem every winter that makes a very loud noise and stiffens the power steering. Unfortunately I cannot recommend this car. I dont like it and it ended up costing me a great deal of money in the end.

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  Always something wrong with it - 2004 Audi A4
  By Kerstin - April 19 - 1:39 am

  I bought my A4 in May 03. It was one problem after another. The trunk compartment for holding the top broke and needed to be replaced. The final straw was when the transmission needed to be replaced with only 9k on the car! It had been making some strange creaking noises but the dealer kept insisting it was just loose bolts they needed to tighten. After several visits to the shop, they finally determined that the transmission was defective. In 9 months of owning the car, it was probably in the shop for a total of 8 weeks. I would never buy another Audi. Very poor quality.

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  Not without problems - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By WW - April 9 - 1:16 pm

  Extra wide fenders over tires make manevering a challenge; fun to drive, but MANY issues with engine and transmission. Additionally, tire wear much higher than average and fuel well below rating. All in all not sure I would buy another Audi. Not sure there is a significant advantage to an all-road over an A6 AWD.

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  Dont Buy A6 - 2000 Audi A6
  By Rob - April 2 - 6:03 pm

  I bought this car brand new in March of 2000. It has been driven very little, only has 58,000 miles after 4 + years. It has lots of problems. The dealer service was passable at best. Recently though with only 57,000 miles, I was told I need new turbo chargers at a cost of $6,200 dollars. I was shocked and even more surpirsed to hear Audi USA they wouldnt cover any of the cost. I have owned 4 Audis previously and I will never buy another one. Its too bad because when it works, its a great car to drive. Doesnt hold value like a BMW or Mercedes.

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  Too many problems - 2001 Audi A4
  By my A4 - March 29 - 3:15 am

  Certified does not mean new or even reliable. I have owned my car for 9 months and its been in the shop at least 5 times, once within 1000 miles to have the engine rebuit and all other problems should have been checked before delivery. Car rides great handles good and is great in the snow purchase price was good, service has been a nightmare. Im going back to Saab.

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  This car is the worst Ive ever owned - 2002 Audi A6
  By Unhappy Buyer - March 23 - 1:03 pm

  The car is always in the shop. The "Check Engine" light goes off every 6 weeks. I would NEVER buy another Audi again. if you think of buying one, DON"T!!!! Get a Lexus instead!!!!