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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  no more audis for me - 2000 Audi A6
  By jubu - August 26 - 2:00 am

  With less than 39000 the car has major electrical problems. Instrument cluster replaced, radio replace , AC quit, front end vibrations. Just out of warranty and Im out over $3000.

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  Control Arms - 1997 Audi A4
  By jdoezema - August 19 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle was okay until 90,000 miles when it started to have front end problems. The control arms of which there are 8 cost around $3200 to fix. Also, the suspension is costly to get fixed.

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  Audi A4 needs a lot of repairs - 1998 Audi A4
  By Sacramento owner - August 16 - 2:00 am

  This car is really fun to drive but has needed a LOT of repairs. In a little over 2 years it has needed 6500 worth of repairs. I spoke to the extended warranty company (thank goodness I bought that) and he said they are losing their shirt on Audis. It is still a blast to drive, but beware of repairs.

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  Audi A6 a bad experience - 2002 Audi A6
  By sadaudiowner - August 5 - 2:00 am

  I have owned the car for 42 days and it has been at the dealership with five problems for 21 days of the 42 days I have owned it. The malfunction light came on twice (catalytic conv. & purge valve), windshield fluid canister, unable to turn key even after forcing wheel, alarm goes off randomly, they have no idea why!!

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  Ouch! - 1997 Audi A4
  By SM - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Talk about everything going wrong... Too numerous to tell - Lets just say my wallet is considerably lighter now! I bought this car because it was supposed to be reliable - many years ago at least. It turned out completely unreliable.

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  Warning about 2003 A4 - 2003 Audi A4
  By GLC - July 12 - 2:00 am

  Beware, it appears the new 2003 3.0 A4s may have a serious electrical problem with the engine. Unfortunately our new A4 (2 months old) broke down with about 4,000 miles on it due to this engine electrical problem. No parts in the US to fix it and so far the dealership has been unable to get parts to fix it from Europe. Were concerned that we may need to use our states lemon law to return the car and get out money back if it takes forever to find a fix. Extremely disappointed after paying nearly $39 K for a mostly loaded car.

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  Huge Disappointment - 1999 Audi A4
  By coldhart - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Wish Id stuck with the BMW. This car has been nothing but trouble from day 1. Transmission replaced before 1K miles, windshield cracked (sitting in a garage), air conditioning controls failed, instrument cluster unit failed, windshield washer pump, transmission again, squeaks & rattles that cant be fixed.......

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  Buy Japenese - 1998 Audi A4
  By raay - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle used two years ago. Have driven approx. 15,000 miles. Here are the problems to date: tie rods again-all seals leaking-airbag sensor- cracked oil line to turbo-squeaky drivers seat-warped rotors-replaced valve cover gaskets-timing belt tensioner-cruise control switch-engine control module.

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  not worth it - 1998 Audi A4
  By nobullgirl - June 18 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car 2 months before warranty run out. Since then, it has been a year and half and Ive just totaled my repair bills. $6400! Water tank, timing belt, sun roof, gaskit, alarm, brakes, you name it. I wonder is it just this car or this model.

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  A4=Headaches - 1998 Audi A4
  By cepe - June 16 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for only a year and a half and have had numerous problems and annoyances: a continous squeeky driver seat, numerous "check engine" lights and to top it all off the engine seized. Luckily, the Audi Assured warranty covered the engine, but Audi refused to provide me a loaner car for the three weeks it sat at the dealership. To me, that is inexcusable.