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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  First Time Owner - 2006 Audi A4
  By A4Driver - March 4 - 12:20 pm

  My husband and I had researched used A4s for the last year, and finally found one with the right features. Because we bought it with under 30k miles and the previous owner had taken exceptional care of it, it feels like a brand new car. The handling is WONDERFUL the car has the optional sport suspension, and it makes a difference. There is plenty of power, and the the car purrs getting onto the freeway. Its also very comfortable inside, and everything about it feels posh. Im looking forward to driving this car for the next few years!

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  2000 Audi A6 2.7T - 2000 Audi A6
  By Roman1 - March 4 - 10:00 am

  Break rotors were replaced four time by 18,000 miles. Front vibration continues but cannot be found by dealer. Car runs well and drives smooth. The power of the car is great.

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  Quirks you should know - 2009 Audi A4
  By Boston - February 27 - 10:59 pm

  Ive had the car for about 5000 miles so far, and probably would not buy it again. Theres much I truly love about the car but the commuting ride quality on worn roads is very harsh, especially here in New England roads where the car is useful in snow. Since delivery car has real vibration 70 - 80 MPH. Ive seen others talk about this, and dealer has not resolved. I plan to take it to an independent tire spot. Speedometer seemed high, and reads about 4-5% higher than actual speed when calibrated with GPS. 77 MPH shows as 80 or 81. Racking up extra miles if you leased! Car is good from stop lights, but 2.0T feels underpowered with highway onramps, etc. Requires "S" mode and a heavy foot.

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  Major Let Down - 2004 Audi A4
  By AKA4 - February 26 - 1:04 pm

  Bought this car used July 4th, 2008. Immaculate condition. No dents, no scraps, everything worked! One month into it, the auto leveling headlghts malfunctioned, power windows failed, Pirelli tires were awful! Then, coil packs failed, engined missfired and had to be towed away! Rattles galore! I love the engine sound, interior style, material quality and over all subtle style. If youre gonna buy this car buy a good after market warranty, and have it inspected thouroughly before purchasing!

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  Too many problems - 2001 Audi A6
  By jaggi20 - February 23 - 11:42 pm

  I purchased my vehicle independently from a very nice old lady with 150000 miles on the vehicle and she had nothing more than the usual things to fix like brakes and fluid. I have had the car for half a year now and have spent 7k on repairs so far. 5k of that coming within a week and a half of each other. It is a fantastic car to drive but is not nearly reliable enough for someone who depends a great deal on their car. It has turned out to big nothing more than a money pit for me. So much for all the buzz about German engineering that I heard when I first purchased the car.

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  problems - 2017 Audi Q7
  By dawn - February 20 - 10:17 pm

  I love my Q7, but Im having problems already and have only owned it since the end of June. The hatch has a tendency to not to want to open and it makes a screeching noise when it does open. You have to try and pull it up enough to shut it so you can try and open it again. Ive had it in for a fix and all they did was a master reset. What good is that really going to do?? Ha, nothing, as it is happening again. Im pretty sure the pre sense is not working. Ive had a couple close calls where it should have and it didnt work. But they tell me it is. Ive just started having issues with the key remembering my settings. I have had to push the button several times now to get it where I have it set for me. Im wondering if I made a mistake buying this Audi. :( I got rid of my explorer because I was constantly bringing it in for the same problems they couldnt seem to get fixed right. I dont want to have to be doing that again!

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  BEST Car ever owned - 1998 Audi A6
  By WJ - February 16 - 11:07 pm

  I bought this car with 7000 miles on it and about 9 years later it has 229,000 miles on it and drives the same as it did when i bought it. The interior and exterior far surpass any car of its age on the road.

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  A Little Disappointed - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Mike - February 13 - 5:09 pm

  This is my 3rd Audi. I have owned an A4 and currently still own an A6. I am disappointed in the reliability and quality of the Q7. I have only 28,000 miles on this car and brakes are already going. The tires also need to be replaced. I have never owned a vehicle where the brakes and tires went bad at such low mileage. The engine sounds like it is struggling all of the time and is sounding more and more like a pick-up truck and not an Audi SUV. We spent the extra money for the keyless start and it doesnt work when it is cold out. I think the quality of Audis have definitely decreased.

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  Audi misleads on A-6 - 2009 Audi A6
  By Wayne Capinegro - February 9 - 7:58 pm

  I ordered a 2009 A-6, 4.2, Garnet Red, and according to the Audi website the car was to have the S-Line interior. When the car came it had the plain interior without the more comfortable sport seats. I was then told after the fact that the S-Line was no longer available. Obviously the website was misleading. I have owned 2002, 2006, and 2008 A-6s. I will never buy another Audi because of this deception.

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  Glad I bought the 4.2l - 2000 Audi A6
  By Paul - February 8 - 8:29 am

  This is my 5th audi. The 4.2l is a rocket on wheels and my favorite so far. Engine has been maint. free other then the standard timing belt / water pump change ($800) at 80K. Break pads last ~40K. Minor non-driveability repairs. Window switch ($110) 2x failed, 5 min DIY repair. Front end torsion squeaks (>$1000). Expensive oil changes ($80). Center display is getting dim. Most fun daily driver I have ever owned. Unique body and interior of the 4.2l sets it far about the mundane 2.7Ts. Great in the snow. Almost as fast as my 911. Find a non-dealer Audi mech., I havent met a dealer yet that will let me out of the service bay for <$1000 of questionable repairs.