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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  87k miles - 2001 Audi A4
  By kburg - December 16 - 1:25 am

  I bought my A4 at 51k miles and have had it about a year and a half very fun car to drive love the AWD and the turbo is nice to have. So far I have taken the car to the shop 4 times and have had the camshaft ajuster, new coils, O2 sensors, fan clutch, oil leaks, mass air flow sensor, the tires seem to wear down fast, fuel filter, still waiting for audi to fix my timming belt that they do for free at 105k and should pay for damages if brakes before that. engine idiles loud and for a min or two (I always let the engine warm up a min before driving as all turbo engines should) and a turbo timer wouldnt hurt either. Luckly I had it covered by warranty which paid for most repairs.

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  Fun to drive but drains your pockets - 2000 Audi A6
  By audi4.2 - December 15 - 12:52 pm

  I bought this car with 80,000 a year ago. Its a wonderfull car to drive, i have had majors problems. Trasmission went out with no reverse two months ago.Audi dealer quote was 7000 for a rebulit which was almost as much as the car was worth. If you want a fun sedan 300hp safe in the winter all wheel drive, but its going to cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars to maintain. Im in the middle right Ive spent already more money than the car is worth. She runs really good now and I hope for the new few years.

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  Love It, Cant leave it. - 2000 Audi TT
  By 2 Owner - December 12 - 11:20 am

  The Audi TT MK1 was designed to remind us of the Auto Union cars. It was a pure form with Bauhaus influence being key to its creation. I didnt originally agree with the design of the interior, but now I find it to be of such a quality that it puts most other automotive interiors to shame. The car is holding up well appearence wise. I maintain the car myself and find its upkeep to be easy. I dont trust another mechanic working on my car. Ive driven over eighty thousand milesa in my TT and it continues to run without any major events. Changed the timing belt at 66,000 miles. Ive replaced the alternator once, the starter three times, the water pump once and other things. I still love it.

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  Waiting for the other shoes to drop - 2002 Audi A4
  By Tim H - December 10 - 5:42 pm

  Ive put a steady 12K a year on this car in a mix of city & freeway driving, up to the 75K I have now. After the 4- year lease was up, which coincided with the 50K-mile warranty, I bought the car outright and on a hunch bought a 70K- mile extended warranty. Great hunch! It paid for itself twice over, but now that it has expired Im dreading the next major expense and wondering what it will be. Though I still love the vehicle, its looks & ride, it may be time to move on before the pit of mechanical-breakdown hell opens up. One amazing point: At 75K miles I have never needed new brakes thanks to careful driving and downshifting rather than braking at every opportunity (though I will soon)

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  Love Hate Relationship - 2004 Audi A8
  By PFraser - December 10 - 3:07 pm

  Most of the reliability issues owners have experienced are electronic problems. Interestingly, I have had major mechanical issues - transmission, suspension, cooling system and more. All these problems started right around 51K miles, just out of warranty! So far I have spent over $6,000 in repairs. About $4,500 of that is parts, because you wont find aftermarket parts for this car. If you are reading this review you are probably considering purchasing a used 2004. My best advice would be to get the best extended warranty you can. Get a warranty that has "stated exclusions" only, so you know exactly what will not be covered. With all that said, I really do love driving the car!

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  Disappointed - 2008 Audi Q7
  By disappointed - December 9 - 6:29 pm

  Love the car except the electronics. Console buttons shorted out from windex used to clean off finger prints. Really bad design as the buttons are not sealed and will short out with only a couple of drops. Audi will not stand behind. Cost $1000 to replace in the first 6 months. Afraid to use the cup holders that are located above the elect. 2 drops and another $1000. pule the hassle. Want my Range Rover back.

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  Beautiful car, wish it was more reliable - 1999 Audi A6
  By johnny12 - December 9 - 11:10 am

  Ive had this car for 1.5 years and have had to replace the timing belt, control arm, serpentine belt & transmission, as well as a few smaller things. The car came to a dead stop while driving it. Thankfully I was on the exit ramp and not still on the highway doing 70mph. My kids & I would have been in a serious accident. Disappointed that at 110K all of these things went wrong. I have a 15yr old Jeep Grand Cherokee at 180k that didnt have nearly as many problems. Every time I see a car I really like a lot, its always an Audi, but for the price, I want a car thats much more dependable. Selling the Audi & buying an Acura!

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  My new Audi - 2004 Audi A4
  By abarge - December 9 - 2:00 am

  Chock full of features and power. The 6-speed manual is a blast, but the engine could use more low-end torque; its a little slow off the line and it hits a noticeable peak at around 4000 RPM, pretty high for a 3.0. A great value, expecially compared to the BMW 3 Series. Interior is downright sexy, except for the cupholders.

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  Lemon Aid - 2002 Audi A4
  By Susan - December 7 - 8:58 am

  Too many expensive repairs has taken the fun out of this car. I will miss the way it drives and extras, like the Bose stereo system, when I soon buy something different.

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  So So Audi - 2004 Audi A4
  By FLAJIM - December 6 - 5:45 pm

  I have had my A4 for 2.5 yrs. I had 34000 miles on the car when I bought and now have 82000. In the last year I have had to replace the ignition coil, fuel pump, and Im getting ready to take it in for a trans module that costs $2000. And I just found out my top leaks and will need to be replaced at $2500. This is a car you need to get rid of at 40 or 50k miles. Audi I hope you see this review. Its time to trade for a Toyota or Honda.