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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  Unreliable - 2000 Audi A6
  By Bud&Sue - March 2 - 2:00 am

  Leased this car new in 2000, cant wait to turn it back in. If we had owned it, it would have been gone long ago. After almost 3 years of complaints the dealer finally solved a cold start problem (towed in 5 times) but after the fix it developed a cooling leak that took 3 visits to cure. Broken power windows, fuel tank recalls (2) etc, etc etc.

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  Lemon - 2000 Audi TT
  By Miki Smith - February 26 - 2:00 am

  This Audi I bought was "Assured" and Certified! It was in the shop more than 15 times in one year! I have 2 friends with other Audis and they have simular problems. Audi "Customer Care" wouldnt do anything since the Assured warranty went over 2 months before I called. They are so cute to look at, but a major pain in the &#@ to take care of.

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  Audi dissapoints - 2003 Audi S8
  By audima. - February 26 - 2:00 am

  In 25,000 miles its been in for service 9 different times and Ive been without vehicle a total 22 days. Power steering rack, control module, interior trim, windshield washer pump, intermitent alarm codes etc. I still lose my power steering off and on regularly. I was told by Sales Manager that the A8 I traded in would pale in comparison to the quality of the S8. $80,000+ sticker! This is as close to a lemon as Ive ever owned.

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  It has sucked my bank account dry... - 1999 Audi A6
  By Mamie - February 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought my car with 52K. Its been in the shop on the average of once/month since Ive had it for the past year. It costs a fortune to maintain. Ive had to replace the control panel computer, the brakes, the automatic window guide, the water pump, the speaker wiring for the phone, the passenger seat controls. I had to change a tire yesterday. The jack is worthless in the snow. Its cantilevered design would not work on a snowy, but hard surface. Im hoping to trade it in for a Subaru. I wish I had gotten one to begin with, but I was totally seduced by the comfort and quiet of the Audi.

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  German Nightmare!!!!!!!!!! - 1999 Audi A4
  By Ollie McGrath - February 3 - 10:00 am

  Stay away from this car! The control arms are a poor design and need to be replaced every 30,000 miles. $600 job!!! Audi has created a great recurring revenue stream for themselves. Buy a BMW, SAAB,Volvo, or even buy a Ford before you buy this poorly designed piece of JUNK!

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  Why did I purchase this car? - 1997 Audi A4
  By Super A - January 31 - 2:00 am

  This is the most absolutely, dispisable vehicle I have owned in all my life! I have had to replace the heater core $1,400 job, tape player, the muffler,throttle body $600, ignition switch, power switch, brakes & rotors, $1,000, turbo $1,000, oil pump, something with the suspension & steering, and six lights. All of this, in the 2 1/2 years Ive had the car.

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  Great to drive as long as it runs. - 1995 Audi 90
  By Dudley - January 28 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I got the 90S as our first nice car and its been in the shop every two months. Every time that it goes in for repairs it is at least $600. In the 15 months that we have owned it the repair costs add up to the same amount we have paid off on the loan. We are selling this car to get a more reliable, less expensive to repair car or truck. This is the second and last over engineered German car that I will ever buy. I love how it drives but money talks.

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  buyer beware - 1997 Audi Cabriolet
  By mrs. h - January 27 - 2:00 am

  I love the look of this car, but would NEVER buy another Audi. I had serious problems with many aspects of this car - for example, replaced the battery 3 times in 4 years. Had to replace the entire steering system - and the car only has 46000 miles on it.

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  I can not recomend this Car - 2001 Audi A4
  By JohnO - January 24 - 2:00 am

  56000 miles Failed and paid for by Audis warrenty: Temp sensor & gauge Steering colum and rack Turn Signal cluster Clock spring Digital display in dash coil pack oil pump oil pick tube this all totaled $4000.00 in repairs that Audi picked up most. This is not uncommon research audiworld.com for the problems others are having. Look elsewhere for a reliable car

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  This car is a major disappointment - 1997 Audi A4
  By Previous owner - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Always trusted German engineering and reliability, but this car is a complete disappointment. Regular maintenance and repairs would cost you an arm and a leg. Audi dealerships are not the best to deal with. My cars engine CRACKED at 80K (no hard driving) and the dealership had no idea that it cracked but suggested a whole list of other repairs. Paid them for the useless repairs and at the end they simply told me that a new engine is what I needed.