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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  100+ Days in the Shop - 2001 Audi TT
  By TTrouble - September 12 - 2:00 am

  Constant problems with electrical components. Both door rattle like they are half open. Losing 1 quart of oil every 100 miles, new engine at 20K. Transmission has been grinding in secand gear for 2 years (they said there was nothing wrong with it), and it tore itself apart at 30K. They will not honor the warrenty because one of their techs said he knows I race the car (this is a blatant lie). Audi personnel have put over 700 miles on the car. They want $9000 for the new trans and $2000 to install it. The car has depreciated 50% in 3 years and is now "totalled" (trans is over half the value of the car) with 2 years of $850 payments left on it.

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  not so overwhelmed - 2001 Audi A4
  By shidinger - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I think part of the problem is that i had built this car up in my head during the 4 month period i was waiting to receive delivery of it. the 1.8t, although peppy required a chip to satisfy me. my older vr6 put a much bigger grin on my face. other than that. the car has really loosed up quite a bit. which is very disappointing for a $32,000 car with all the tricks and german engineering.

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  Horrible car and service - 2002 Audi A4
  By Derock - September 11 - 10:00 am

  had nothing but electrical problems and safety problems. Audi and Dealer will not willingly take back the car. Make sure that you do not make the same mistake

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  nice - 2000 Audi A6
  By tennismiller - September 11 - 2:00 am

  i love this car, it is all i need

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  the best car Ive ever had - 2004 Audi A8
  By Dirk Kuhlmann - September 11 - 2:00 am

  while driving you enjoy satisfaction pure

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  gr8a4 - 2002 Audi A4
  By dubdriver - September 11 - 2:00 am

  As a long time VW driver I am very pleased with the A4 in every way except for its appetite for fuel.

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  Audi TT problems (car is not a turbo) - 2000 Audi TT
  By kmiyara - September 10 - 2:00 am

  Within 5 months of purchasing this car I was left stranded on vacation. I was told the clutch was bad and I was not able to shift into any gear but 3rd. I had 2 clutches replaced and the transmission before it was finally repaired. In addition over the next 2 years the rear suspension was replaced, electronics for speedometer and the front windshield due to a stress crack. The low profile tires are terrible. Replaced a total of 8 tires before hitting 25000 miles. The wheels constantly get scratched since they protrude out from the tire. The area inside the gas cap gets plugged and when it rains the water is retained.

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  Great car but poor reliability for price - 2000 Audi A6
  By dardman - September 10 - 2:00 am

  In addition to 3 gas-guage, a front bumper and some other recall, leaking windshield washer, and a broken mirror switch all under warranty, the Check Engine light came on at 51,000 miles. Surprise: both catalytic converters are shot (covered), and the tranny and main rear seals are leaking (not covered, $1300). My one concern before buying an Audi was their poor reputation for build quality, which improved in the 1990s so I took a chance on the long-term mechanical reliability. I love driving this car but for the price it is not nearly reliable enough and weve only had it for 3 1/2 years.

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  Great family car with spunk. - 2003 Audi S6
  By irekski - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Weve owned the car for over a year, and we enjoy driving it very much. Its powerful, but also practical. Its great in snow, too, provided you get yourself some winter tires.

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  Good CAR - 2004 Audi A8
  By Bengregmich - September 9 - 2:00 am

  I think this is a great car with unlimited technolgy features that are all great!