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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  Great car to drive - 1996 Audi A6
  By Andy - May 23 - 9:34 pm

  Great highway car. It is really easy to drive and feel comfortable even at higher speeds. Ive owned since new and have a hard time finding cars I like driving better. Reliability has been only average. Torque sweet spot is very narrow at 3000rpm. Transmission is dumb so power is not delivered often when it should. Fwy entrances can be stressful because at just that speed ~50mph, it wants to upshift and forfeit all torque right when you need it. At speed ~65mph, fwy accel is very good.

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  Stefs A8 - 1998 Audi A8
  By STEFAN SMIT - May 20 - 12:20 pm

  After owning numerous BMWs and driving a lot more other cars in the past twelve years, this car is a revelation. I never thought that an Audi will give me so much driving pleasure plus doing it in utmost comfort and style. It is certainly a very beautiful car.

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  Fun to drive but prone to breakdowns - 2005 Audi A4
  By Greg - May 18 - 6:24 pm

  This is a very fun car to drive. It is easily equal to the 3 series BMW but you get more goodies on the base model. That said, be sure you can afford the maintenance this car requires. I have already lost an A/C compressor, heater core, and both front window motors. After the A/C repair, my car blows barely cool air and never cold air. The heater core started leaking in the middle of winter. Everything has been covered under warranty but things dont look good past that. This car is going to cost me plenty.

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  Dream SUV - 2008 Audi Q7
  By Rocker Joe - May 9 - 7:44 am

  Had an 02 and 05 X5 but needed something larger. Now have 3000 miles and no problems. Love the S-Line option but Audi takes 2 points off the residual value for leases which doesnt seem fair when you pay more.

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  Looking good, but many major problems - 2006 Audi A3
  By LZ - May 8 - 8:42 pm

  We leased the car in October. By July AC broke down in 90 degree heat and 100% humidity. Audi couldnt fix the problem for a month. They had to replace the compressor twice. Then a year later I fule pump broke down on a highway and the car almost stalled. I barely avoided the accident. Now my just simply wouldnt start one day. When mechanic from Audi came - the and tried to start it - the engine started smoking. Week later they tell me oil pump is broken and they are replacing the engine. I am getting rid of the car - I no longer feel safe driving with kids in it. Total dissapointment.

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  Love this car - 2004 Audi A6
  By G - May 3 - 3:23 pm

  Interior build is A. Feels like true luxury car. Great handling/cornering. Family feels safe in this car.

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  Love my A4 - 2008 Audi A4
  By PJ - April 27 - 8:49 pm

  Our experience with the A4 has been great my wife loves it. Very economical with gas. As the first time owning an Audi I was not totally sold the first time I drove the car. I immediately noticed the jerk (as if I was driving a stick shift vehicle) I was told it was the SVT in the vehicles transmission. I only different from our Acura TL and former Lexus model was the oil light came on at 4K miles because shortness of oil. The car ate the oil as if it were candy. Audi told us the vehicle does that within the first couple of 1000s miles. Very small car with great fuel economy joined with a sexy exterior look.

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  Repairs! Repairs! Repairs! - 1996 Audi A4
  By lovesit22 - April 24 - 11:22 pm

  I dont know if the prior owner just ran the car down, but Ive had to replace the heater core, two oil pans, and $3000 of other repairs I couldnt even remember. I love how the car looks and drives, the interior is so nice, but dumb things break. Like the sunroof went out and the vents broke, just little things but they add up. Im hoping to get a newer Audi and not have as many problems! But its great in the snow!

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  Giving up the Audi - 2003 Audi A4
  By pina8 - April 22 - 10:52 pm

  After owning the Audi for almost 5 yrs, Im ready to give it up and move on to a more reliable and cheap to fix sedan (Honda or Toyota). Although it has been fun to drive, i have had a few problems--the initial take-off is dangerous with it sliding and forcibly popping into gear without going anywhere, the air-conditioning never got cold enough (making it worse w/charcoal-colored interior), front air and radio buttons scratched off and needed replacing, frequent engine light indicators going off needing repairs (recent oxygen sensor & gas valve sensor repairs cost almost $1000). It has been fun and sexy to drive though!

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  Downhill After 45K - 2002 Audi A4
  By disappointed - April 15 - 4:27 pm

  After 45K miles, my 2002 Audi A4 1.8T (now at 53K miles) began to require very expensive repairs that I never needed for other vehicles I owned with over 100k miles. I had to replace the phlange that connected the coolant system to the engine, the steering rack and pinion, the windshield/headlight washing fluid pump and motor, and the dealer says that I need to soon replace engine gaskets. I do not know much about the mechanics of cars, but from my experience, it is unusual that such major repairs would be required on a vehicle that still has relatively low mileage and is owned by someone who is very diligent with all of the routine maintenance. Wish I had purchased the extended warranty!