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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  hunk o junk - 2003 Audi A4
  By Robert Pelton - May 2 - 10:00 am

  the car broke down within 24 hours. An apparent problem that Audi is aware of but prefers to have it done as warranty work rather than recall

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  Ding Dong the Witch is DEAD! - 2016 Audi A4
  By ZCT - September 21 - 6:11 pm

  I just had the misfortune of renting this car for a week. Wow, what a joke. I had the base model with the S-Line package and a few extras like navigation. The car was wholly unpleasant to drive. The CVT an obvious annoyance, the interior, instrumentation and controls utterly mediocre and old fashioned. It wasnt antiquated like a Subaru, but it seemed like a step down from even a VW, which is inexcusable for the cost. Everything about the driving experience made me completely puzzled as to why anyone would cross shop with this a similarly priced BMW 3 Series and pick this Audi. Im not a BMW fanboy or anything, but the two vehicles are incompatible in driving experience, and yet they are about the same price. Audi is supposed to be the premium arm of VW, and yet frankly this car is so easily bested in this segment by so many alternatives. Thank goodness that the 2017 model is a complete redesign.

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  A4 is a total Lemon - Wish we didnt by the Audi - 2010 Audi A4
  By Ken - April 19 - 7:25 am

  This car has been a total lemon. It is constantly in the shop with one expensive repair after another. The Audi dealership in Raleigh also makes it even worse. Lexus provides a much better experience when we bring in our cars there.

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  freaking garbage - 2010 Audi A4
  By rj - February 21 - 1:08 pm

  excessive oil consumption, great ride ,excellent handling. my camry se can do that and cheaper too.

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  Lemon Law the TT - 2004 Audi TT
  By flar - November 8 - 2:00 am

  I am lemon lawing this vehicle! Nothing works correctly, my TT has been out of service for 23 days and I have only had it for 10 months. It was a brand new car when I bought it. If you buy this car, be prepared for lots of time at the shop and plan on driving a loaner.

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  Horrible car and service - 2002 Audi A4
  By Derock - September 11 - 10:00 am

  had nothing but electrical problems and safety problems. Audi and Dealer will not willingly take back the car. Make sure that you do not make the same mistake

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  I had a bad experience - 2003 Audi A6
  By Richard the 3rd - June 25 - 2:00 am

  I hope this gets through to some people, I have owned American cars most of my life and have had no issues up to now. I bought an Audi A6 in 2002 and since that time both the turbo and transmission have gone bad, I had issues with my tachometer staying accurate as well, anyone else have some defects like this?? Its just a hassle

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  Take Warning - 2005 Audi A4
  By Audisucks - June 5 - 6:53 am

  This car is worthless. The electrical system has been shot since day one. My car has been in the shop 61 days and counting and Audi refuses to do anything about it. Ask your salesman why they include a manual crank for the sunroof. Its because they cant design a good electrical system. No one should own one of these after the warrenty ends. You would have to be a millionaire to keep up with the cost.

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  worst car i have ever owned - 1997 Audi A4
  By guit - November 29 - 2:00 am

  costly mainteance nightmare. thus was the worst car i have ever owned

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  2006 audi a4 check engine light always on - 2006 Audi A4
  By M_A_B - October 10 - 1:45 am

  I owned acura integra,Toyota Corolla and Mitsubishi Lancet evolution 8,driving Japanese cars is much easier, cheap to maintain and check engine light barely turn on. Before I buying any type of cars i do my research on Edmunds consumer review and how this people rate the 2006 audi a4 "great car" is a lie because first year of owing it in had nothing but headaches on repairs and terrible gas mileage on a stock car(normal driving). I do my regular oil change 3k miles,transmission fluid flush at 100k and do most of the repair myself and check engine light never ends, after fixing one thing a different check light codes pops up. I spend $2000 in oem parts within the last 3 years owning it,cam followers,pcv valves,brake booster hoses,spark plugs coil packs all replaced. Interior is also falling apart my glove compartment hinges replaced ,center console arm replaced, passenger back window motor replaced,window button peeling off replaced, rear back seat cup holder wont open i think the spring is damage inside to pop out. Overall this 2006 a4 is garbage and I wont be owing any audi a4 ever again.