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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  72000 Miles of Issues - 2000 Audi A6
  By LT - January 15 - 2:00 am

  Brakes and rotors--twice. AM Reception--nonexistent. Radio replacement--takes 8 weeks. Front Bumper design flaw--tears off when you go over a parking space stopper. They pay to fix it the first time. Apparently the second time it happens the design flaw is gone, because you pay. Three times. AC Blower--twice. Driver door--creaks. Availability of appointments at local repair shops--are you kidding? Jiffy Lube doesnt have AUDI filters. Tires--twice. Jammed rear cupholders--twice. Key fell apart--once. Cupholders--only hold cans. Oil leak because of bad gasket--once. If you have a lot of time to service a car, this ones really fun to drive when its running.

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  Audi 2002 S8 - 2003 Audi S8
  By mitchshap - January 4 - 2:00 am

  The 4 wheel drive is great but it detracts from handling around curves. Little creature comforts could be improved upon (i.e heating steering wheel should be in S8, better navigation system and computer). Overall, I would probably not buy again.

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  rattles - 2001 Audi A8
  By rattles - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I WOULD NOT PURCHASE THE CAR AGAIN! The car rattles badly. the dealer admits to the rattles privitely but admits they can`t fix them.The car has been in the shop for so many days I lost count.Other problems included multiple electronic failures, gas gauge failure, acceleration override problems where the engine management system retards acceleration when you move quickly from the brake to the accelerator before the brake pedel contacts a relay that allows the accelerator to engage. No help from audi to correct the problem has been forthcoming, in spite of dealing with high level customer service personel

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  too many headaches - 2000 Audi A6
  By emcg - January 2 - 2:00 am

  I have finally had enough and am dumping the car...seems like every 6 months some sort of recall ABS light-4 times and counting,passenger window wouldnt operate, motor on drivers power seat went etc...As my warranty is almost up no way I am risking shelling out all sorts of $$$ for this car ... it was the Quattro that attracted me to this car living in the NE but reliability that will drive me away. As well I went to NY Car show last year and looked over 5 series BMW ...Audi may be second but it is a DISTANT second at that

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  Looks good, but built in cheap quality.. - 2003 Audi A4
  By Phil - December 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Audi on Feb this year. It was good at first time for every facts. Problem is now gettin serious. I got overheating once already. Suspension problem occurs at same parts three times. And little noise, bulbs out so many times....lots of problem. Im preparing to sell this car and never buy Audi. I would buy Japanese car next time.

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  Worst I have Owned Since my Dodge Omni - 2000 Audi A6
  By ray85158 - November 18 - 2:00 am

  I never thought I would make as many trips to the repair shop as I did with my 84 Dodge Omni, I was wrong. My 2000 Audi A6 was in the shop about 6 times between June and Oct of 2002. For a certified Audi this car leaked like a sieve. One windshield washer leak, 2 tranmission leaks and 2 oil leaks. The oil and transmission leaks where to solve a buring smell and smoke coming off the engine which they did not! Replaced a cup holder, CD changer, battery, and a radio too if I would wait 6-months for a replacment. Oh, and a power lock switch that had a mind of its own. Dumped the car for a 2003 Honda Accord.

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  Audi A^ - 2002 Audi A6
  By Johannes - November 17 - 10:40 pm

  The Audi A6 did not meet my expectations. Instead, I prefer a Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The C-Class is far superior in design, performance and price.

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  Looks good, good mileage, but major engine problem - 2017 Audi Q5
  By Diane LeBlanc - October 28 - 12:52 am

  I do enjoy driving this SUV; its comfortable, good looking, and performs well. Instrumentation is overly complicated and requires some study if a driver is older. In the first week of owning it, the car developed a major engine problem that originated on the manufacturers assembly line. The repair was major, and I was advised by independent engineers that there is no assurance that this car could not have another major problem in the future. The dealer was sympathetic and offered me an Audi Care package and 12,000 new car warranty miles. They think this should cover my inconvenience, but I have no assurance that this Audi will hold up for the long haul. I dont think I got what I paid for.

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  A6_Avant - 1999 Audi A6
  By Former_Audi_Fan - October 23 - 2:00 am

  We chose the A6_Avant knowing about its relatively poor gas mileage and its under-powered engine. These were acceptable given the car’s smooth, quiet ride, AWD capability, and styling. We did not expect an unending series of repairs and recalls, though. We had problems with the fuel-sending unit, the instrument display cluster, the rear-window lockout control, the rear speakers, the radio/CD player (2X), the windshield washer sensor, an engine hose, and front window clips. Unfortunately, these problems seem common for Audi, and I would not recommend the A6_Avant.

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  I hate my AUDI - 1999 Audi A6
  By myaudisucks - October 23 - 2:00 am

  I loved it to START with...but now it just sucks! I have spend over $3000 in repairs in the last year and a half. It sucks.