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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  Be warned - this car could bankrupt you - 2001 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By CT driver - January 15 - 6:33 am

  We bought this car as an SUV alternative - loved the carlike driving, decent performance and Audi style. Unfortunately, the car has been dreadfully unreliable. Weve lost $20,000 in depreciation in 30,000 miles and had over $20,000 of warantee repair work done - thats $40,000 to drive 30,000 miles!! WOW. The list of repairs (covered by Audi but inconvenient to say the least) is too long to fit here: 2 replacement transmissions; new brake rotors every 15,000; new front air suspension at 58,000; front tie rods at 55,000; 2 air flow sensors; 3 hazzard light switches; new radiator at 52,000 miles; steering angle sensor (controls ABS) No racing-no accidents-no excuse for this experience

• 

  Beware! - 2001 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By tom a - November 19 - 11:36 pm

  First, the good news. This car is fun to drive and fits a great niche (like a Volvo XC70 or Outback). Now the bad news. Reliability. Or should I say unreliability. I purchased an allroad certified from the dealer with 30K miles on it. Since then, the car has had probably 15 trips for repairs, totaling over $20,000. Everything you can imagine. The first few years, the dealer covered it. But Ive paid out about $10K personally now. Audi needs to get its act together. I hope they do, but this Audi is my last.

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  Love hate relationship - 2015 Audi A3
  By Natasha - August 29 - 7:02 pm

  I loved my 2015 A3 when I first bought it, but after 9,500 miles I began to have problems. My car would turn over, but it was unable to accelerate. The dealership had my car over two weeks and finally told me there was a defective spring on the cylinder. Once I got the car back the EPC light started coming on and I lose power while trying to accelerate. At other times when I accelerate the car loses power without the EPC light coming on. I took it back to the dealer and Im going on day three with still no answers. I only have 12,000 miles on this car and I shouldnt be having these huge problems. I love the look, comfort and feel of my car. When its running I love it, but I am VERY concerned that i will continue to have problems with the car. On another note you cannot fit normal sized adults in the back seats. Their heads dont fit and there is no leg room. The cup holders in the front are awful and it is very difficult to put large drinks in them without spilling.

• 

  shop hog - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By yota - April 17 - 10:00 am

  mother owns car i see it every day.Has been in the shop 8 times no kidding.she complains about the accelaration off the line lags to much for twin turbo but i think vw have that problem in general.do not like the car esp for the price much better choices out there for less money.try acura mdx instead or even the passat wagon.

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  The 2005 Is A Mess & Ive Had Two! - 2005 Audi A4
  By GBH - April 8 - 10:00 am

  This car is a piece of @#&*! Ive had two 2005s. The first one made a noise so bad people in the lane next to me remarked. The dealer, no help from Audi, gave me a new one for another $1,500 bucks. The new one had the check engine light appear under 300 miles. The shop had it for 5 days, delivered it and the engine light appeared again. My service shop has put more miles on the car delivering it to me then Ive put on the car driving it. Under 500 miles and its going back tomorrow. This is a new identical car. The first one was a turbo, transmission, electrical mess. Audi refuses to stand behind their auto. Maybe your dealer will as good as mine and help you. Buy at your own risk.

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  Dont buy the A4 - 2003 Audi A4
  By Dont buy Audi - April 4 - 2:00 am

  This car has been a failure from the start, every since my first coil pack failed I cant go on any long trips in fear that the other ones will fail and leave me stuck on the side of the road.. AUDI fix your cars!!! Follow these links before you think of buying a A4... My next car will be a BMW. http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/026/au to/No_easy_fix_for_failing_ignition_coil s_in_Audis_VWs+.shtml http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/02/automo biles/02COIL.html

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  The lemon - 2003 Audi A4
  By Chris Carter - March 30 - 10:00 am

  I have never been so disappointed with a car in all my life. I dont understand why it is rated so well by the auto media. After leasing this thing for a 18 months Im ready for a change. Handles poorly in city, difficult to park. The alarm system did not deter vandals. The entire transmission had to be replaced after the original completely failed! I have no faith in this vehicle. One of the primary reasons I got this car was safety. Now I no longer have faith that the airbags will deploy if I have a collision.

• 

  brake issues at low mileage - 2014 Audi Q7
  By Nick C - March 23 - 11:29 am

  Front brake noise first appeared at ~13K. Had an oil change done at 15K only find out that we are staring at brake job, pads and rotors, for both front and rear, estimated at $1,600. Both dealerships commented on this as "normal wear" and so did Audi Customer Care. Dealing with Customer Care is a joke. Apparently my 20+ year driving experience and owning multiple SUVs/trucks and not having the brakes shot at 15K means nothing. I suggested that the dealer pays for rotors and I pay for pads, so will hear back from Audi in a couple of days. Complaints about the breaks/rotors replacement at early mileage is something that various Audi forums cover well. Thinner break pads (7mm) vs. other luxury SUVs and softer break pad material, all seem to contribute to the issue of premature brake failure. Single use rotors, which are not supposed to be serviced until ~35,000 miles according to Audi Q7 Maintenance Schedule, need to be replaced with every brake job, which can drive the cost up to $2,000 for parts and labor. Im excited at the 2017 Q7, but who needs a brake job that soon, so may not be trading in next year.

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  brake issues at low mileage - 2014 Audi Q7
  By Nick C - March 23 - 11:29 am

  Front brake noise first appeared at ~13K. Had an oil change done at 15K only find out that we are staring at brake job, pads and rotors, for both front and rear, estimated at $1,600. Both dealerships commented on this as "normal wear" and so did Audi Customer Care. Dealing with Customer Care is a joke. Apparently my 20+ year driving experience and owning multiple SUVs/trucks and not having the brakes shot at 15K means nothing. I suggested that the dealer pays for rotors and I pay for pads, so will hear back from Audi in a couple of days. Complaints about the breaks/rotors replacement at early mileage is something that various Audi forums cover well. Thinner break pads (7mm) vs. other luxury SUVs and softer break pad material, all seem to contribute to the issue of premature brake failure. Single use rotors, which are not supposed to be serviced until ~35,000 miles according to Audi Q7 Maintenance Schedule, need to be replaced with every brake job, which can drive the cost up to $2,000 for parts and labor. Im excited at the 2017 Q7, but who needs a brake job that soon, so may not be trading in next year.

• 

  Watch out for Bad Ignition Coils - 2002 Audi A4
  By ace14 - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Overall I like the car, but 2 bad ignition coils have really spoiled the experience. Audi Customer "Care" refused to replace all 4 coils on the 2nd occurence. This is a major problem with the 2001-2002 models. From what I have read, very few 2003 have had the problem. Audis Customer service is poor at best.