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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  This car is bad! - 2001 Audi A6
  By Steve - November 27 - 6:41 pm

  Purchased the vehicle used, drove for 5 months...over $2,000 in maintenance bills! Attempted to trade in vehicle. Even the Audi dealer would only give me $4K for the trade-in. This car is a nightmare! My advice: Do not buy this vehicle, especially this engine model, unless youre loaded and can stomach the repair bills. Buyer beware!

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  Best car for the money - 2005 Audi A8
  By theanimala - November 25 - 6:27 pm

  I loved the A8 since the D3 model was first shown. I waited patiently for the pricing to drop to a level I could afford (preowned). I have had my CPO car for 4 months and 5K miles, and I still love it. It is not as reliable as my 98 Lexus GS400 which had almost nothing go wrong with it after 145K miles. I just had a number of things replaced at the 45K mile service, such as the trunk hinges (common problem), parktronic sensor, airbag sensor, and one softclose door sensor. Even with these little problems, I love the car. No serious issue that will leave you stranded, but still something small that requires a trip to the dealer. I do not regret my choice, regardless.

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  Good Beats Bad - 2003 Audi TT
  By opendorz - November 18 - 3:01 pm

  I bought mine used with 63xxx and in impeccable shape. With or without the top down, you get noticed in this car, a lot. The car handles extremely well, especially at higher speeds. The engine purrs, but does not have a strong kick at the starting gate. The ride is harsh and noisy. Lots of metal rattles underneath and in the rear, none of which the dealer can figure out! Heating/cooling and stereo are outstanding. Bottom line: the good far outweighs the negative.

• 

  Skeerd - 1999 Audi A6
  By Skeeeerd - November 15 - 8:05 pm

  Im scared! Bought it used (and boy was it ever!)100k. So far, had to replace plugs and wires. My sunroof got stuck in the open position and my drivers side window has a mind of its own. Also, the cup holder in the center console is stuck in up position. I am terrified that I trusted German engineering for a 2nd time (had VWJetta). I am of German decent, which makes me embarassed to say the least about this car! Hope you have a lot of money for repairs. I feel like I had sucker written over my face! Junk!

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  Dissapoinment - 2006 Audi A3
  By a3sfca - November 15 - 12:10 pm

  The reliability has been terrible. Back in shop over and over again in the past six months. The warranty and the extended warranty has been useless. Always pondering what will break next. Not fun when you are driving a seven year old around.

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  its a very decent choice - 2003 Audi A4
  By JakeYC - November 14 - 2:00 am

  picking a car is similar to when you are about to ask a girl out =) I have to admit~ive looked around~you consider all the options and test drive all of them because these are not a cheap car. I have to say,you can not make a wrong choice with modles. But you have to ask yourself, what are the key things that you really want? I bought a Audi because its cheaper than bmw 3 and you get a lot more for the money, which includes 4 wheel drive system. I have yet to determine if i made the right choice or not~based on the reliability of this car. the key! research~research~and test drive all of them

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  Love It - 2008 Audi A4
  By taudi08 - November 11 - 12:49 am

  I bought this car about 5 months ago and its awesome! The only things I dont like about it are the cup holders under the arm rest and the slight lag out the gate. The lag is random. Its weird, but it depends on the day. The engine is definitely affected by extreme temperatures.

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  Love the car, but its a heartbreaker! - 2003 Audi A4
  By Erin S - November 10 - 4:00 pm

  I love to drive my A4, which makes it only more painful that its been in the shop more times than Id care to count. Its peppy, smooth, and easy to handle on the highway. Its beautiful inside when everythings working. But, its had more broken electrical parts than I knew existed on a car, and every repair is crazy expensive. I wonder if they fly the parts one by one from Germany! Like others, have had multiple issues with the stereo, sunroof, various lights/indicators, relays, in addition to the dead fuel pump. Tires pop like balloons, and theyre expensive, too. An expensive love, for sure.

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  Buyer beware - 1999 Audi A6
  By mike - October 28 - 7:08 pm

  Styling and roominess were my main considerations in buying this car. Others I considered were Volvo V70, MB 320/420 wgn, mazada 6 wgn. On test drive alone I prefered the Audi. AWD and long list of options were what clinched it. I thought I was stealing this thing at $8,500 two years ago with 73k miles on it. Similar MB or Volvo were well above $10,000. I soon leared that there are a long list of "common" problems with this vehicle. Off and on working of electronics is the most frustrating,of course everything worked when I test drove it. Other problems Ive experienced are: ABS controller $500, upper control arms/tie rod replacement $1,000, oil leak $? Good luck when buying this car

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  Yikes, what have I done? - 1992 Audi 100
  By Elshi - October 25 - 6:51 pm

  I was without a car for 15 months, because a lady with no insurance totalled my Buick. A neighbor had this beautiful little Audi that they sold to me for $3500. It has had electrical problems. Now it is sitting in a parking lot 30 miles away with water hose problems. We are not talking cheap repairs, for someone to even look at it, costs more than the complete repair of a different brand. If you have the money and the patience I think it would be a "fun" car. For a widow it is not the ideal car.