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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  rear end review. - 2017 Audi A6
  By harkna - October 17 - 6:58 am

  rear view camera (360) is soft low pixels with no adjustments. Stretched to fit a wider screen without the needed DPI. Cant make out a rear wall in low light. Very disappointed for a luxury auto to chintz on such a important safety feature.

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  Good car with some extra cost - 2003 Audi A4
  By Maximo - October 14 - 1:53 am

  Wow, I will probably buy another Audi, but I will do so more informed. The car is a thrill to drive and relatively good on the gas with out a lead foot. That said it takes premium fuel to push this wagon. Dont believe you can sub 87 octain every now and then, it will foul the spark plugs. If you are a DITYer be careful driving this car on to a hydraulic lift, the sport suspension does not allow enough clearance to prevent high centering. I bought this car used in Oct 06 for about 16.5K two years later it is at least as valuble as what I still owe.

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  Only Time Will Tell. - 2004 Audi A4
  By Bespoke - October 9 - 3:16 am

  I have only owned this car for about 4 1/2 months. And I love the cars design, material quality and control layout. Im very happy with the handeling and even the rather small engine. But there seems to be issues with the windows and rain sensor, there are a few plastic interior rattles that annoy me. The audio system is terrible (Symphony system). Im not disappointed,

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  Close but no Cigar - 2003 Audi A4
  By Fiveplay - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car in May 02. One of the major selling points has to be free maintenance 4 yr/50,000 miles. Well, let me tell you, it will come in handy. My experience with the dealership has been pleasant overall, but when I spend $35,000 for a car, I expect it to be reliable. At this price, my car shouldnt be laid up at the shop for 2 weeks. Do yourself a favor...let AUDI work out the bugs on this car and if you have your heart set on one, then by all means get behind the wheel. It is a solid, sporty and very safe car. You wont be disappointed.

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  12 mons of driving the A4 6speedM 3.0L - 2003 Audi A4
  By JJMazza - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I have two suggestion: 1. The cruse control should NOT be on the L. side of the steering collum just under the directional signal arm. They are easily confused! Please put it back on the steering wheel. 2. First gear is virtually useless! You go no where while the the tachometer is revving. It certainly does compromise a "quick start"! The car responses beautifully in the other 5 gears.

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  The perfect all around car - 2004 Audi S4
  By Joe - September 28 - 11:52 am

  I bought this car as a Audi CPO and only had it a few months but this is the car for me! By far the fastest car I ever owned! Not flashy yet very stylish and gives you the best all around performance. I can pick up my kid from school, plow threw snow and rain, yet take a Porsche Boxster! You start to smile as soon as you start this car up. The rumble of the V-8 is just amazing but it still is quite and refined when you drive at high speeds. The AWD not only helps in the snow but but makes the handling unbelieveable. Even if this car loses grib it quickly corrects itself and keeps you in control. this is my first Audi so I just hope it is reliable because I want to keep it for a long time

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  Good car, expensive to keep - 2004 Audi A4
  By Bryan - September 22 - 6:09 pm

  The A4 quattro is great however the cost to repair and keep the car is pretty expensive. The windshield wiper arms and control were replaced for 500+ dollars, 4000 dollars worth of repair after rear end collision, torque converter failure at 67000 miles, dead battery after 4 years (134 dollars non Audi battery) I liked the car in the beginning but it got costly to keep especially with premium gas at 4.30+/gal. Also the car was never the same after the accident.

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  I think I leased a lemon! - 2007 Audi Q7
  By scrapper - September 11 - 12:44 pm

  Well, I really felt the need to read everyone elses reviews after bringing my car in to be serviced too many times! I got it brand new fresh from Germany, and love the way it looks & the way it rides, and of course all the bells & whistles but too many problems have occured! It started with the tire pressure light appearing on all the time, which took many 1 hour trips to be serviced only at Audi. Then, the fuel pump went out, took a few days to repair- parts only come from Germany you know- then a faulty back sunroof that let water in which caused me to drive a Grand Prix for a week...are you kidding me? I paid $65,000 to drive a Grand Prix? Needed new tires already, squeeking brakes,

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  Very disappointed - 2001 Audi A4
  By NY Audiman - September 10 - 8:20 am

  I bought this car new. Maintained it to spec. Have had repeated problems including the radio failed temperature sensor failed twice LED display is failing outside temp sensor is flaky. Today my dealer told me to service a zillion more things and quoted the repair bill at $4900! No way! This for a 7 year old car with about 64,000 miles. Get real. Im never buying an Audi every again. (They even design it badly for maintenance ... its a nightmare to service ... so the labor charges add up quickly.) In contrast, my Acura never needed anything special ... its back to the Japanese in a few months for me.

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  Love/Hate Hate - 2003 Audi A4
  By Spin90 - September 9 - 2:22 pm

  This is truly a driver’s car, both interior and exterior finish had a classy sturdy feel. Economy and performance were great, 25/city and highway up to 33 long range trips. Now for the nightmare, the list that went wrong was excessive, items that normally should have no problems for 10 years/100,000 miles started to fail within two week of ownership. Although the warranty/dealer took care of everything while in warranty, afterwards it got out of control. Audi could care less other than to close my filed complaints as soon as possible. Own it get rid of it after warranty, shelf life is short.