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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  Good car but not perfect - 2010 Audi Q5
  By pathguy - June 2 - 5:32 pm

  Side mirrors are too big and create large blind spots. I needed to take car in to have transmission "reprogrammed" in second week of owning the car. otherwise, Q5 is a good car.

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  Audi-be better - 2010 Audi Q5
  By Audi-be better - May 25 - 4:31 pm

  Beautiful car but has flaws... 1) The navigation system: does not allow searching for a restaurant type. for instance you cannot ask for Chinese, Mexican or Italian food - you just get a list of restaurants that includes everything from "taco bell" to "chez panesse". 2) The brake pads spew dark dust that spray the side of the car daily. There are no mud-flaps to prevent overspray from the front wheels so the side of my car is covered in break dust from the wheels daily. 3) Who uses dvds? Get rid of the dvd player. 4) Who uses an ashtray? Get rid of the ashtray or at least make it larger so it can be used to hold a cell phone or business cards - its a useless space.

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  garbage - 2001 Audi A6
  By steven - May 24 - 1:31 pm

  Where do I begin to tell the story of a car thats been a sin. Purchased this 2001 a6 quattro in March of last year used with 90,000 miles on it. Its been a nightmare ever since. Numerous problems regarding electrical, turbo, and suspension components. I asked the dealer if the car comes with bags of money for all the repairs that it requires and it didnt. Build quality on these cars is horrible. We traded it in recently for a 2010 Kia forte coup sx with a nice long warranty and piece of mind.

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  4Door AWD Rocket! - 2008 Audi S4
  By ALCK3MiST - May 22 - 1:53 pm

  Only have had the car for a few month, but I love it more with each day. Silky smooth V8 with a brilliant 6 spd tranny. Pull exceptionally in every gear. Love the seats with the alecantra inserts. The Bose stereo sounds great, however the ipod adapter broke shortly after I bought it.

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  Loving this car! - 2009 Audi A4
  By RMW - May 20 - 8:40 pm

  The new A4 is a terrific car. Its beautifully styled inside and out. It is comfortable to drive on long trips yet sporty and fun enough to drive fast on twisty roads. A lot of reviewers complain about the 4-cylinder engine and its buzz, but I love the sound of a turbo 4. I wish they had put the GTIs sound amplifier in the A4, but can understand why they didnt considering the different demographics. The main problem I have with the car is that it gets expensive when you start adding features other luxury car manufacturers include as standard. At an MSRP of $38K, the Premium Plus trim doesnt seem like a bargain against the 328XI, especially since the BMW has standard maintenance.

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  Unreliable luxury - 2004 Audi A4
  By unreliable luxury - May 17 - 9:08 pm

  CVT transmission had to be replaced at 50k miles, but had the symptoms at an earlier 30k miles (theres an existing TSB for this issue). Working with Audi of America to see what our options are. Always had the vehicle serviced at an Audi dealer at the prescribed maintenance intervals. Day after the trans install, the check engine light was on, which was found to be a defect part on the new transmission. Love the car, but cant afford the maintenance. I thought German cars were built to last. A lot of other little things are broken, not working, or just acting up in the car. I think its time to see what BMW has to offer...

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  Unreliable but good looking - 2010 Audi A4
  By Adi Charlotte NC - May 14 - 10:13 am

  If you want a candy for an eye, this is a car for you. If you want a reliable vehicle, DO NOT buy Audi with 2.0T engine! To most people, adding oil every 1000 miles is a hassle but Audi will tell you its "normal". Google "A4 oil consumption problem" for more details on this issue.

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  Really want to love this car but - 2009 Audi A6
  By J-Houston - May 13 - 9:40 pm

  I have had the car for a little over a year and it has been at the dealership for repair 12 times. They have replaced both headlights, re-installed the MMi software twice, replaced the phone module, searched for the source of a strong coolant smell after the car sat for a week and spent days attempting to eliminate a persistent rattle in the dash. There is still a rattle in the back seat, but I think I will just live with it. The car has run fine and is fun to drive and nice to look at, but I shutter to think what will break next.

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  A4 1.8T with tip auto - 2004 Audi A4
  By Expensive car - May 12 - 7:30 pm

  I bought this car used with 38k miles now it has 63k miles and the fuel pump along with airbag sensor and window motor all went bad. luckily i bought the extended warranty which covered all expenses with a minor 50 dollar deductible. Very expensive car to keep up with i wouldnt recommend it if youre on a tight budget. One RSA good year tire $200 oil change $75. Car makes a grinding initially of every first start. The trans doesnt feel very strong and i baby it so much i dont even tip 2500 RPM. A light buld change is $100+ Im going Toyota or Honda next.

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  My Favorite Car ever - 2001 Audi A6
  By cb - May 8 - 9:30 am

  Leased new. Never a problem. Bought it from Audi, Never a problem. I would like to buy a new car but after 114k miles I still cant find one I like better. Our 06 Infinity M35x doesnt compare, even though it is a more expensive car. This thing just goes and goes. Oil change, tires, window wiper blades. Leaves no oil on my garage floor, just an unbelievable car. At this rate, I have no plans to change before 150,000 miles. Since the paint and interior still look great, only a car buff knows I am driving a ten year old vehicle.