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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  Audi from Hell - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Troubled and Bitter - January 3 - 4:46 am

  After 30,000 miles the Audi sevice people gave up on trying to fix the surge/lag problem that my 2003 Audi allroad has developed. I have spent $6,100 on new turbos (2),a torque converter, ECU, transmission control unit...etc. This car has had roughly $10,000 in warrenty work with no fix. Now they have made me an insulting offer to get me out of the car as a "courtesy" to buy another piece of junk Audi. Ive owned Audi or Volkswagen products since, my 1970 Audi super 90, 1978 Scirocco, 1987 Quantum, 1998 A4 Avant, and 2003 allroad and after all that they make a lame offer of settlement. Its Audis service problem not mine. Unless things change and change dramatically I will never buy another Volkswagen or Audi product again...GO Toyota !!!

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  Houston we have a problem - 2017 Audi Q7
  By Edward - October 1 - 4:11 am

  This car looks like a spaceship inside, which is pretty cool. We got the grey color with the optics package. Its a pretty awesome car....... So it appears. However, on day 2 of ownership and approximately 100 miles we are already having reliability issues. Today we got a "safety system error" yellow light on the dash indicating that the airbag is malfunctioning. In addition, on 3 occasions the car has literally turned itself off by itself when we place it in park. This happened one at the aim and twice when switching drivers in front of the house. Im not talking about the engine turning off to save fuel, Im talking about completely off to the point we have to hit start again for the car to reboot. Active lane assist is also nonoperative for some reason. At 70k we could have purchased 2 more reliable Kias.

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  If only... - 2001 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By sayitisntsew - September 9 - 4:26 am

  Before 3 of the 4 air suspension bags and air suspension pump failed..the car was fun to drive...there have been so many little things, coupled with the big things- I feel like after 30,000 miles my Audi was nickel and diming me to death...with the air suspension failure (apparently inevitable with this car) IM DONE!....and Im not alone, -google Audi forums- EVERYONE hates the KNOWN failures of this car. Wish I had stayed with my old reliable VOLVO.

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  Audi A4Q 2.0T - 2007 Audi A4
  By wingiwingbmww - March 17 - 6:50 pm

  My new 2007 A4 already been the shop 3 times. Need a new engine @ 2200 miles. Very unreliable machine. Very unhappy customer. Would not buy Audi again. Idle rough at morning start. Dealer said it is normal for all 2.0T.

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  Not living up to expectations - 2005 Audi A4
  By Steve - January 26 - 12:56 am

  I have to admit, when I purchased the A4 it was my first car over $30,000. Over $35,000 really. But I needed 4 doors, needed 4WD and was tired of the SUV ride. After six months, the build quality of this car is absolutely terrible. I am totally surprised that sources like Edmunds keep recommending this car (and VWs). Its my fault, if I had read half of the discussion groups etc. before I bought, I never would have touched it. The last time I took it in for the 3rd injector replacement, all 12 bays had newer Audis in them. This is also a Porshe and Subaru dealer. When I mentioned it to the service manager, he just shook his head and said exhausted, "You have no idea!"