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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  2004 Audi TT Roadster 3.2L - 2004 Audi TT
  By Jim Head - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Great looking car! I get many compliments on this car in a town full of expensive cars (Palm Springs area).

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  I love this car - 2002 Audi A4
  By car-ooo-so - January 12 - 2:00 am

  I just bought the car certified used for the wife and Im actually considering getting an SUV for her so that I can have the Audi for myself. I love it that much. The Audi engineers put so much thought into what they design that Im still being surprised by neat little features. My car came with the sport package and, like what was mentioned in an earlier review, the 1.8 is a bit underpowered for the extra handling. The car sure handles, though, and even better than many sports cars Ive driven. Nice work Audi.

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  I HAD TO HAVE IT! - 2004 Audi A8
  By mark levin - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO LOOK FOR A REPLACEMENT OF MY AUDI A6. I WANTED SOMETHING AND DECIDED THAT THE CONVERTIBLE WAS IMPRACTICLE SINCE I HAD TWO CHILDERN AND I DIDNT WANT A TRUCK. I SAW THE A8L AND I ASKED TO TEST DRIVE IT. I TOOK IT FOR A RIDE AND COULD NOT BELEIVE HOW IT HANDLED AND COULD NOT BELEIVE HOW FAST I WAS GOING. AFTER I BROUGHT IT BACK AND DROVE MY A6 HOME, I KNEW I HAD TO GET. THE CARS ADAPTIVE SUSPENSION AND WIDE WEELS MAKE THIS CAR A DREAM TO RIDE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE PICKUP IS QUICK FOR SUCH A BIG CAR.

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  Audi TT - CA Lemon Law Works! - 2002 Audi TT
  By Mikesaudi - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Replaced turbo, sway bars, dash computer twice, drivers seat and horn - 14 WEEKS+ in service. Burns 1 quart oil every 900 miles. Rear suspension creaks over uneven surfaces such as speed bumps, driveway entrances. I requested the Audi service manager and Audi Factory 800# to set-up a meeting with the local Audi Factory Rep – it never materialized. After 20 months of run-around, I hired an attorney and WON my case using the CA Lemon Law. Audi agreed to repurchase the car including tax, license. Bottom line: The Audi Factory rep that handles Torrance, CA area - should be terminated – his/her non-response is the only reason I hired the attorney.

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  A Beautiful but Unfaithful Lover - 1998 Audi A4
  By sleelio - January 10 - 2:00 am

  This is one of the nicest cars Ive ever driven. The faster you go, the better it gets - all the little rattles go away and it hugs the road beautifully. However, this car has had too many problems - broken ignition (waited 6 months for the part), heater core failed, 2 CV boots busted, water pump failed, broken radiator fan, sunroof problems, remote key works only when it feels like it. Weve taken good care of this care and done all the suggested maintenance, but it hasnt taken care of us.

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  Fun Car, but Nightmare Reliability - 1998 Audi A4
  By CA-Jay - January 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 1.8T Q 5spd new in 1/98 and have religiously maintained it for the past 6 years. Car is in the shop so often that its humorous. Turbo had to be replaced at 2k miles all sorts of electrical problems cracked brake reservoir leaking oil from gasket I could go on... I will never buy an Audi again. The quality is horrendous for a car marketed as an upscale, performance sedan. Im in the market for a Honda or Acura. Take it from a reasonable, level-headed person--do not buy an Audi.

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  MUST HAVE $$$ TO BLOW - 1998 Audi A4
  By MIKEO71 - January 10 - 2:00 am

  Cant possibly fit all of my experiences in this small review. Purchased used w/ 50k miles, audi assured, well maintained by Audi by the book. Secretly phoned dealer where car was originally serviced and found it had many issues not disclosed to me prior to purchase. Numerous issues, some major and other minor. Audi servi ce is bad (5 different dealers in 3 different states).

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  Allroad 2001 - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By H Varon - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Great in bad weather very stylish initial lag on V6Turbo Wipers leave spots of water on windsheld after spay would be interested to see how V8 responds would by anot

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  Great Car. BAD Quality Experience. - 2004 Audi A4
  By ultrasport - January 8 - 10:00 am

  New A4 1.8T Ultraport loaded. have a quality prob out of the shoot.BAD for a $37K MSRP car. W/in 4 hrs of delivery, the power steering failed due to a leak. The dealer repaired but did not replace the hose as promised. I was out the car overnight to get that hose. I did get rental/loaner. W/in 4 hours of pick up after repair. The prob ocurred AGAIN! The car is back at the dealer. Im in a loaner. Fix = replace the ENTIRE strg rack. Replmt parts arrived, 1/2 way into install...parts deemed faulty.I am still w/out that new car, soon a lemon in this state. Buying a new car should not be this way. No Excuse Audi!!!

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  1991 Audi 100 Works for Me - 1991 Audi 100
  By Joe Audi Owner - January 8 - 2:00 am

  Owned 5+ years. Purchased used at 122,000 miles, now 200,000. My 2nd Audi. I do all of my own work on the car. Love the car. Extremely reliable and a pleasure to drive while serving as a workhorse commuter car. Never garaged and sits outside in all 4 seasons. Interior remains tight and dry and still smells faintly new. Body and finish are near perfect - no rust/corrosion anywhere (galvanized body). All seals perfect. Original starter, alternator, radiator, heater core, etc. Only changed oil, brakes, tires, filters, belts, light bulbs. Never leaked any fluids and continues to start every time and run rock smooth and reliably. About 21 MPG city/hwy mix.