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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  The Car I Thought I Always Wanted - 2001 Audi A6
  By Jesse - June 22 - 2:00 am

  The 2.7t in a word: amazing. Connection to the road: excellent. Cabin: very nice. As my lease comes to an end, I am pleased to say so long to my “dream car”. My problem? Maintenance! When the Audi Advantage plan ends prepare to pay. My car has spent weeks in the shop driver seat, dashboard lights, and brake pads all replaced. Plastic pieces broken turbo pieces cracked and it seems both the check engine or airbag light is on. The newest problem is sounding like a serious suspension problem. These problems could be attributed to demanding driving, but most of the time this car is simply a commuter. Choose this car be advised of a high maintenance bill!

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  Audis Suck - 2002 Audi TT
  By Audid - June 8 - 2:00 am

  My vehicle has been in for service 48 days and is not yet 2 years old intermitently does not start-dealership cannot find problem. Sway bars replaced 3 times, stereo replaced- insturment cluster failed,CD player had to be replaced- build quality is crap- DO NOT BUY-Mercedes,BMW,Infinity first-many electrical problems-I am having to sue Audi-Audi corp policy- THEY DO NOT REPURCHASE THERE VEHICLES- YOU DO HAVE TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY TO SUE THEM- not smart for a car company that wants to retain it customers- and really bad policy!!! So Cal Audi rep should be fired!!!

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  Fun but on second engine - 2004 Audi S4
  By dexters4 - May 29 - 2:00 am

  Great car, lots of fun, much quicker than previous S4, but reliability very poor, had to have engine replaced within first month. Quality otherwise very impressive, could get better mileage but with a car like this, who cares. Sealer service dept great, but rest of dealership experience terrible. Audi America has work to do.

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  Poorly Built Car - 2003 Audi A4
  By Kerstin - May 13 - 2:00 am

  We have had our Audi for less than a year and it is one problem after another. We the car arrived the convertible top was coming apart at the seams on the interior. It took a week to repair. Then the compartment in the trunk (used for storing the roof) broke and it took 2 trips to repair it. Last time it was in for service they found a "small" transmission fluid leak. Two months later, it is in again and now they have to replace the transmission! Worst made car weve ever purchased!!!!

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  Too Unreliable - 1999 Audi A6
  By RJWC - April 22 - 2:00 am

  Overpriced & very sluggish from lights, roars like a bull when driven hard. Poor quality interior (Rear cargo cover & first aid kit door broken, illegible radio display when cold, fading dash display when hot) Oil Leak, burns a lot of oil, fuel sensors replaced 3 times, Xenon light replaced due to moisture absorption, Intermittent rear cargo light operation (dealer unable to find cause) Safe car, handles well but well below par performance for a car of this price. The quality of these cars is hit and miss. If you get a good one youre lucky, if you get a lemon like me, youll never buy another. Car was be returned to bank after 2 years lease (14000 miles).

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  Not Close to an M3 - 2004 Audi S4
  By OLSONR - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Wide console rubs my kneecap constantly. Navigation system not accessible by navigator. No moving map. Just directions" on a 2X2 screen for a $1500 option. Wifes 1997 M3 gets 50% more mileage with same pickup. Torque-steer on front wheels annoying. Harsh ride. Gave back to dealer to sell with less than 400 miles on it. Will keep M3. A horrible car.

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  Loosens up & too expensive to maintain! - 2001 Audi A6
  By tonyde - April 12 - 2:00 am

  We are faced with putting $5K of routine maintenance into this disappointing ride. Turbos clogged, oil leaks, suspension problems, etc. It was billed to us as a family sedan w/ some pick-up-and-go. I had no idea it would be more expensive to fix than a porsche. Next time, Ill just buy one of those instead. Also, the car drives much looser now, compared to my E320 Benz. Audi can keep its line of products for the gear heads.

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  Not what I expected - 2001 Audi TT
  By jgmualumni - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this car less than 1 year and Im already selling it. In that time the Mass Air flow sensor malfunctioned, the instrument cluster died, the remote works when it wants, and the dealer stripped my oil drain plug and blamed it on my local mechanic. I wont be buying another Audi.

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  Great Car with a Fatal Flaw - 2004 Audi S4
  By msp - April 8 - 2:00 am

  Great fit and finish, great power but what is it with the throttle response? So much delay you can stomp to the floor and let off before anything happens. Worse than a turbo. When it does finally get going it keeps on going even after you start easing off. Not safe in a car with this much power! Gives new meaning to "Unintended Acceleration". Evaluate carefully before you buy!

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  Saftey Hazard - 2003 Audi A4
  By gary - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Looks good, but am afraid to turn left in front of oncoming traffic, feels like a Disney Autopia Car.