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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  not impressed - 1997 Audi A4
  By 1997audi - March 28 - 2:00 am

  the worst 33 thousand ive ever spent on a new car. it may be fun to drive by the costs of repairs alone will burn a serious hole in your wallet.

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  early problems - 2004 Audi A8
  By unhappy owner2 - February 21 - 2:00 am

  In the 10 weeks ive owned the car, my remote controls have died out three times. The dealership keeps fixing it and it dies out again, So far the dealership cannot figure it out. The service is nothing like the great experienve Ive had with Lexus.

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  Im going to throw this car... - 2004 Audi TT
  By ...over a cliff - February 20 - 2:00 am

  WOW - I should have nver bought this $36,000 headache. At 5 months old, this car cries with more aches than a $2000 Geo -I took this heap of junk into service 4 times already to fix my piercing brake noise problem (probably with more visits to come), had the window motor replaced after its second repair visit and to top it off, my TT decides it wants to stall out on me when I start it up. When I met with the Regional Rep., he questioned, "Well, would you want to have unreliable brakes have reliable brakes that squeal?" Did those words actually come out of his mouth? - So, do all safe brakes squeal? UghÂ…I shouldve talked to a wall instead

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  Good Techology, terrible phone system - 2004 Audi A8
  By robertpica - February 19 - 2:00 am

  I immediately recognized the technology advances over BMW and Mercedes. Buyers need to beware of Motorola V60 phone functionality. It does not work with the onboard MMI system and is basically a glorified hands free kit (effectively USD 1,000) for no added value. Voice activation is approximate at best and does not work when raining Suprisingly, none of the professional reviewers noticed that the phone system is archaic and a real problem. The Mercedes S class do have numbers that upload to the onboard computer. Another issue to be careful with is the choice of wheel rims. I have the 19" with sport tires which account for a very bumpy ride.

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  A4...avoid it like a plague - 2002 Audi A4
  By John Taaffe - February 19 - 2:00 am

  When its actually working...its a nice ride. Expect it be in the shop as much as its on the road. I have had this car for 2 years, with less then 28,000 miles...and since the day I drove it off the lot I have had problems with it. Audi ( local and corporate ) will only CONTINUE to fix the car under terms of the warranty. If you are looking a good love/hate relationship with a car..then this is your car!! Otherwise, avoid it like a plague!!!

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  Do Not Get the Aluminum Decorative Inlay - 2017 Audi A4
  By Chris Russell - February 12 - 2:24 am

  I cant believe Audi came up with this Aluminum thing. When the sun hits it, it gets so glaring. And of course, around midday, the sun will surely hit it because the Audi design is so aerodynamic. This Aluminum thing reminds me of a similar design that Honda came up with about 12 years ago for its Civic. That was glaring too. But Honda dropped it. But Audi caught it and put it on its A4?? So I recommend paying extra for the dark wood or brown wood. About everything else, A4 is completely redesigned. Im quite happy. I may write an update in 6 months.

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  Buyer Beware - 2002 Audi A4
  By lemondriver - February 11 - 2:00 am

  This Audi is a nightmare. I had a 1999 2.8Q, it was a great car. I wish I had it back. This car has spent a cumlative 2.5 months at the dealer since Dec. 02.A brief list of mechanical issues, ignition coil, 3 Clutches, 2 windshield wiper motors,a incredibly squeaky drivers seat, trunk latch failing while vehicle was being driven,twice. malfunctioning factory cd changer. Audi customer service is non-existent and rude. The car broke down out of state and the local dealer refused to fix it, because they didnt sell the car. I had to pay several hundred dollars in tow charges. Audi refuses to reimburse any of those or rent a car charges. Run away from this car!

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  excellent ride dissapointing reliability - 2015 Audi A7
  By Aurelian - February 9 - 2:31 am

  This is a spectacular looking car that feels great on the road however the leather seats started fading within few years only and MOST importantly as I just passed 100kmiles it started burning oil....of course any major repair is as much as paying for a monthly lease of a new car so I would not recommend you keeping it after the lease is up.....

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  Money Pit - 1994 Audi 100
  By Yowza - February 9 - 2:00 am

  Took a chance on a high-mileage vehicle for winter-only use. Lost this bet big- time: Ive driven it a total of 14,000 miles and its been in the shop 21 times (no lie!) and so far Ive spent $5,400 on repairs and there are still 3 nagging problems that cant seem to be solved. Every repair takes three or more attempts before its finished (oil pressure warning light problem has taken 7 visits so far, and were not done yet).

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  disappointed - 2004 Audi A6
  By easton striker - February 7 - 2:00 am

  Overall this is a fine car, however I have been extremely disappointed with the service department at audi. The feeling I got is that we are there for them, instead of them being here for us. The wait time 55 minutes to hand them my keys was unacceptable. This is my 2nd 2.7t. The radio reception has been a major let down. I receive nothing but static on the strongest signals from the NY market