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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  Wow - What a Surprise! - 2008 Audi A5
  By chi-chi88 - April 13 - 10:39 am

  Ive owned everything from Porsche 911 to the Cayenne Turbo, from Lexus SC430 to BMW 745i and Mercedes CLS. For the money this new AUDI "Rocks". Dont sell the 911 but for everyday zips to work this new A5 not only saves a little in gas but offers on nice comfortable ride. If you like all the bells with true performance then this car is for you and if your luck to own, you know what I mean. Thanks Audi!

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  One of the best wagons! - 1999 Audi A6
  By Baraka - April 10 - 2:51 pm

  Purchased with 79K now has 98k.The only major replacement was the front suspension.This wears out prematurely but there was a recall on this.However it does not last typically as long as other cars,it is aluminum.Aftermarket suspension is better than OE. Acceleration is adequate but once on the highway maintains speed well.Maybe gearing meant for Autobahn and not 0- 60 times. Very comfortable. Driving habits will determine fuel consumption.Heavy right lead footed acceleration will move the weighty Avant, but will result in average/poor fuel consumption. Handling very good with 17" wheels.Heated steering whell and seats.Bose stereo and 6 CD changer handy. Buying decision was based on safety.

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  Fun car to own and drive - 2004 Audi S4
  By Nick - April 9 - 3:46 pm

  Car is an everyday car with performance, although a bit heavy. Glad I bought it and has been worth it so far. No major repairs needed as with the other reviewers and Im just under 30k miles and put 6k on when I bought it used. Have run it through snow, sleet, and rain and it hasnt failed me yet! I would recommend this car if youve got income to spend on it snacking on fuel every opportunity it can get.

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  good car - bad service - 2003 Audi A4
  By spounce - April 9 - 10:00 am

  The brake warning light started going off...I took the car to DCH Essex which summarily announced that my brake hoses were loose and that they would not fix this under the warranty (they also charged me a $92 diagnostic fee). Feeling that this was wrong I called the customer advocacy line which basically said "our service group is our eyes and ears, we go by what they say". I took the car to another dealership which informed me that the ABS box needed to be replaced and did it under warranty. Audi customer advocacy told me that they do not refund diagnostic fees.

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  What people should expect - 2008 Audi A4
  By Car Reality - April 8 - 7:23 am

  The Audi A4 a compact car with plenty of room for the front seat users. It is not intended for 5 passengers. The 2.0 liter is very strong for a 4 cylinder so you need to keep in mind it cant be compared to a 6. Interior is very well built. Exterior is very sharp. This car has all the power anyone should need. If you ease up on the pedal it will get very good gas mileage as I have experienced 29 miles per gallon so far. You can get a larger car if you pay 15 to 20 grand more, or you can wait for the 2009 model that will be larger. This car compares to all its competitors and is better in some ways than 328Ix, C class, G35X.

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  2016 audi s5 - 2016 Audi S5
  By Janes Zagami - April 4 - 6:51 am

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  The best and worst car Ive driven - 2001 Audi A6
  By kodylokster - April 2 - 7:48 pm

  The audi a6 2.7t is one of the best cars Ive driven. It handles, performance, and feels so comfortable. After a few months smoke came out of the tail pipes. I took it in the shop and found out there was a oil leak plus coolant leak. Auto shop says itll be about 3 grand for repairs and my limited warranty didnt cover gasket and seals. That stinks especially when it was about 2 grand for the warranty. After reading other people experience with the same problems makes me wonder. Audi quality kinda stinks. Maybe a weak gasket or bad quality seals or just the way it was build internally could lose value.

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  Love my Audi - 1996 Audi A4
  By jteen55 - March 31 - 12:02 am

  I bought my A4 at 201,000 and it runs like a dream. After a few simple maintenance repairs (oil change and new battery) it quickly became the car of my dreams. Every now and then it likes to act up, but I chalk that up to its quirky personality. I wouldnt trade my 96 A4 for my friends 95 A6 if you paid me. For me my car is absolutely perfect and amazing. I cannot sing higher praises to my car. I love it.

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  Beautiful Car... But Lots of Problems - 2000 Audi TT
  By mgio - March 29 - 9:38 pm

  IIve owned my TT for 8+ years and 115,000 miles. Its had its share of problems and is not cheap to fix: dead water pump, broken steering rack, two broken ABS sensors, broken wheel bearing, dead ECU, misfiring cylinder, two broken instrument clusters, blown Bose speaker, etc. I still feel its one of the best looking cars on the road and it STILL turns heards today eight years later but its dying at only 115,000 miles and I need to sell it and something at least a little bit reliable. There is nothing like this car out there anymore though. The new TTs just arent the same.

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  High Maintenance - 2001 Audi A6
  By Vishnu - March 28 - 12:22 am

  Its a luxury sedan(I wouldnt call it luxury sports) since it doesnt handle corners as well as a BMW would. Quattro is good and it has a solid body. But parts under the hood are very unreliable and break often. Ive had the cam seals and valve cover gaskets changed twice, headlamp went out, coolant leak(water pump changed), wheel cracked, door handle cable snapped, cup-holder broken, oxygen sensors failed. I spent $4000 last month fixing all the above and a timing belt at a local mechanic(dealership wouldve cost me $6000) And now the auto-dimming rearview mirror is broke - i plan to fix it myself