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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  Secrets to owning an Audi - 1998 Audi A6
  By webegeek - March 12 - 7:48 pm

  Okay, this was my dads car. He bought it after Id bought an A4. Two secrets: One, if you drive a lot of miles each year, they dont last. Two, find a good independent mechanic as soon as the warranty period is over. My A4 was costing me 2k every time I needed an oil change and I finally sold it. My dads A6 did better, he doesnt drive much and took it to a local place to have work done. And Ive lost count how many times hes lost the front lower spoiler on curb stops.

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  So expensive to maintain - 2001 Audi A4
  By Claire O. - March 12 - 4:04 pm

  I inherited this car from my parents, otherwise I would never have chosen a luxury sort of car. In the two years Ive had the car, I have put over $3000 in repairs. Every time a light comes on, my heart sinks because it will be $1000 to make it turn off. Today I learned that to replace the climate control panel will cost $850 plus labor. what! As soon as it is out of the shop this time I will sell it before another light turns on.

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  Not happy! - 2008 Audi A6
  By Robert - March 11 - 7:58 pm

  Well have had my a6 for just 2 yrs now and 40,000 miles and the problems just keep on coming. First was the seat controls separating from the seat at 17,000 and not covered under warranty charged $40 to tighten bolt. Next was the xenon headlight going on and off, dealer said it was what they do when they are about to go bad $350. Then car started to run rough and engine light on told computer issue but that did not fix it. Then back to shop to find out it was carbon build up. Major engine work, fixed under warranty this time otherwise over $1,000 to fix. Dealer said that its because the gas today is not high enough octane to work with audis new engine design. Whats next? My last Audi.

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  Navigation packet and blue tooth - 2009 Audi A4
  By Andrea - March 10 - 10:26 am

  I got the navigation packet with the car and I am very disappointed with it. The navigation system is completely useless, difficult to use and find places, and lacks information about almost everything. It serves only for ornamental purposes as it doesnt take anybody anywhere. Even worse the situation, only two months after I got the car, I got the offer of the navigation update and ridiculously, I had to order and pay for it myself. This issue was not addressed by Fred Baker, the dealer, neither by audi after several calls and emails I made to them. The bluetooth does not connect to my phone either.

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  Sudden acceleration!!! - 2006 Audi A4
  By BG - March 6 - 10:23 am

  I was stopped by a light ready to make a left turn, foot on the brake-car in drive as always. Suddenly the engine started to re to what seemed like the redline. Brakes barely held so I immediately put the car into neutral and stepped on the accelerator to quiet the engine. It worked but I just missed hitting the car in front by about 2 feet. Had it flatbedded to Audi who (even after a technician came) couldnt find anything wrong. If it happened once it will happen again. No carpet issue. I love this car and wish they would have found something. Reported to nhtsa who will investigate. Happen to anyone else? This is a major accident waiting to happen. Be very careful my friends.

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  This car will cost you your sanity!! - 2007 Audi A4
  By Dee - March 6 - 9:26 am

  I loved the speed and the handling of this car. I say loved because I traded it in at a loss.The reliability of this car? Close to zero.Started with brake lights,replaced 3 times.The oil consumption is beyond ridiculous,to the point I had to carry extra oil in the trunk for every 1300- 1500 miles!4 ignition coils replaced. Then the fuel pump sensor stranded me on an exit ramp, car would rev but not move an inch!Prepare for $100+ oil changes in ADDITION to fixing the things they say are normal.This car will cost you your sanity,your money and possibly safety.I am so disappointed in Audi,if they cared they would address the issues,not say its normal! NEVER again would I buy AUDI! N-E-V-E-R!

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  Fun While It Lasted - 2002 Audi A6
  By BoilerUp - February 28 - 8:11 pm

  Loved the looks and performance of this car - both inside and out - but now shopping for a new car at only 90,000 miles. Extremely disappointed that this car didnt live up to the expected 200K miles. As soon as the extended warranty was up, the problems started, multiplied and some unable to fix. Inept and outrageously expensive dealer repairs and other folks just dont like working on Audis, will not take me down this path again - too bad for they have some beautiful new cars that I would love to own like the A5. However, this experience has totally soured me on Audi and taking a new direction.

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  Very nice with a few caveats... - 2010 Audi Q5
  By Audi Driver - February 28 - 10:13 am

  Overall, the Q5 is a wonderful driving experience. I live up north and it handles extremely well in the snow. Very comfortable and pleasant to drive. However, there are issues. The nav system, although nice looking, gives unreliable directions. I use my $180 portable instead. And the key. How do you screw up an ignition key? The MMI (multi media) system is nice but forgets your settings. Stupid things like always having to tell it to "shuffle" the music - every time you use it it requires 4 clicks. It also forgets your seat heater settings. Also, with the MMI buttons on the middle console, its very easy to accidentally touch one. Why doesnt it have a touch screen???!!

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  fun - 2003 Audi A6
  By patapotamus - February 27 - 12:25 pm

  fun to drive, especially in sport mode, had water leakage problem (battery holder overflow into passenger footwell ruining a $1700 transmission control cpu, catalytic converter failure, CV boots needed replacing, easily breakable cupholders quattro goes through tires, not as reliable as a japanese sedan but way more fun to drive

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  Mixed Feelings So Far... - 2007 Audi A4
  By Dougie Fresh - February 25 - 3:57 pm

  Ive had the car about 2 weeks now purchased certified pre-owned, 16Kmi. Pros: The car is fun to drive and I love the looks inside and out. The features are great too, especially the radio. The dealers Ive dealt with have treated me like a rock star. Cons: It does not ride smooth. You feel every bump. Flex is pronounced. The engine is also rough and noisy, especially at idle in drive. Gas mileage has not been up to par with my previous Saab 2.0T (23mpg vs. 28mpg). Acceleration is also not as strong. The front seat is uncomfortable because the center console forces you to twist your body to reach the gas pedal. Reading issues on net forums does not inspire reliability confidence.