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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  Just an Overpriced Volkswagen - 1998 Audi A6
  By rar - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Loved this car when bought used in 2000. Unfortunately, vehicle appears to be jinxed. Has been in for repairs way too many times. Washer fluid tank leaked. Instrument panel has been replaced onced before and needs to be replaced again due to LED fading. Transmission blew out at about 70k miles. Now leaks oil. Good thing I purchased after-market extended warranty, which I wouldnt normally do (wife talked me in to it). Ill never purchase another Audi again and advised others not to either.

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  Buyer Beware - 2002 Audi A6
  By lwhite - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Problems from day one on this A6. Had to get the tranmission control reprogrammed because excelleration was non-existant in Drive mode (Sport & TipTronic was fine.) Two weeks w/o car. Have had brakes/rotors adjusted or replaced 4 times (only 17K on it to date) and it still sounds like a school bus when I come to a stop. Audi says that is normal - right! Now I need to get some red flashers and paint it yellow. Power Steering fluid leaked out almost totally, window motors had to be replaced, tires vibrated constantly on highway, and it goes on. If this was a 9K car, maybe I could understand it, but its a 42K car - No Excuse. I miss my ES-300.

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  Drives like an Audi ... but ... - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By forzajuve - January 26 - 11:10 pm

  I knew that by purchasing a used Allroad I may have had problems with the air suspension. but didnt expect so soon. Within 3 months I spent 1000 dollars per side (yes ... they are pricey). Then because the car is so heavy, I am experiencing problems with the ball joints (other common problem). Tire wear is abnormal. Overall it is a great car to drive, very comfortable ... but I wouldnt buy another one. The Volvo XC is much better option and without those expensive air shocks.

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  Extremely Poor Quality and Service - 2002 Audi A6
  By C. Del Rosario - January 22 - 2:00 am

  My car has only 14,800 miles and has been in for repairs 4 times due to a variety of reasons- catl conv (twice), ignition coils, and stereo system going out completely. Unfortunately, the service departments and Audi policies are NOT what you would expect of a luxury car dealer. Our other family car is a Lexus (similar class, type) and we have received excellent service from the service dept, always gotten a Lexus loaner, and never been brought in for repairs. I bought an Audi expecting a high level of quality and service and unfortunately have not come close to my expectations.

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  German Reliability? - 2000 Audi TT
  By aceTT - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Just traded my TT in...a sad day, because it is one of the most attractive production cars Ive seen. Too bad it spent so much time in the shop as it was certainly fun to drive. Good looks and performance though are only part of the equation. Nowadays, you expect a $30k to be designed and be well built. Maybe it was just my model but Consumers Report gives it the "thumbs down" for reliability as well. It was also a happy day, as my payments to the service department at Audi will cease.

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  Audi TT - CA Lemon Law Works! - 2002 Audi TT
  By Mikesaudi - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Replaced turbo, sway bars, dash computer twice, drivers seat and horn - 14 WEEKS+ in service. Burns 1 quart oil every 900 miles. Rear suspension creaks over uneven surfaces such as speed bumps, driveway entrances. I requested the Audi service manager and Audi Factory 800# to set-up a meeting with the local Audi Factory Rep – it never materialized. After 20 months of run-around, I hired an attorney and WON my case using the CA Lemon Law. Audi agreed to repurchase the car including tax, license. Bottom line: The Audi Factory rep that handles Torrance, CA area - should be terminated – his/her non-response is the only reason I hired the attorney.

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  Fun Car, but Nightmare Reliability - 1998 Audi A4
  By CA-Jay - January 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 1.8T Q 5spd new in 1/98 and have religiously maintained it for the past 6 years. Car is in the shop so often that its humorous. Turbo had to be replaced at 2k miles all sorts of electrical problems cracked brake reservoir leaking oil from gasket I could go on... I will never buy an Audi again. The quality is horrendous for a car marketed as an upscale, performance sedan. Im in the market for a Honda or Acura. Take it from a reasonable, level-headed person--do not buy an Audi.

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  audi eats the gas - 2004 Audi A6
  By john ricc - December 23 - 2:00 am

  My Audi A6 gets me exactly 14.5 miles to the gallon. The dealership (Legend in Amityville)is absoulutely useless. They dont honor the loaner agreement and they try there hardest to make ownership a miserable experience. #1 AVOID THIS DEALERSHIP #2 The car is a gas guzzler.

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  Dissapointed in Quality and Dealership - 2000 Audi A6
  By motternd - December 22 - 2:00 am

  Just got a certified preowned A6 from Jim Ellis Audi in Atlanta. Very unhappy with the quality. It has loose panels, rattles under the dash, and knocks from the rear dash. I took the vehicle in for electric short 5 months after buying & found that it needed $1400 of repairs. Needed new cv boots, tie rod ends, & had oil leak. I battled Jim Ellis & Audi of America for two weeks on this. A preowned certified vehicle should not need this type of work 5 months after purchasing. I finally got Jim Ellis Audi share the cost. Dont trust the preowned certified process. Have your own mechanic check the car before buying.

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  Watch out! - 2002 Audi A4
  By Unhappy Ken - December 10 - 2:00 am

  This car is fun to drive, espically with the CVT. Seating takes some getting used to. The climate control system IS A FAILURE. When cold outside it is hot inside. When the temperature setting is 64 deg.F the cabin stays at 74. This is the LOWEST temperature available. Audi service has tried to fix it at least 5 times and finally concluded that it is "Operating within specification" since ALL of the cars do the same thing. All of them are wrong according to the mechanic. Also experienced many other failures that have been fixed.