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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  excellent experience - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By audifan1948 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Great highway cruiser - We spend alot of time up and down I-95 from New York to Florida. Good amount of carrying capacity with the 2nd seat down. Look forward to more trips.

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  Audi Owner For Life - 1994 Audi 90
  By LighthouseJ - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I love the car and I love driving it around. The only negative things are the repairs, which are expected when a car like mine is close to 100k miles, are quite expensive. Nothing has ever broken on the car, but everything paid for the car were preventive repairs. Although this car is on its 9th year of faithful operation, I love Audi styling enough to buy from Audi again.

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  Never follow - 1999 Audi A8
  By GDFofHouston - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I purchased an A8 because a BMW service advisor recommended it over a similar 740. He was right! Not only was it thousands less, but the performance is remarkable. The car is noticeably more nimble than the BMW. The quattro system was superb during the fall monsoons in Houston. Advantage Audi in Houston treated me like royalty when I brought the car in for an oil change, which surprised me as I bought the car in Ohio. If you havent driven one, you should before you buy any other premium car.

• 

  Od to Audi - 2000 Audi A6
  By The Engineer - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Quattro in New England, what can I say. A descreet car with an interior nothing short of exception. Nothing close this side of a Rolls, trust me on this. Build quality is the best of the German Big Three (Merc, BMW and Audi). Ive owned jsut about everything but Audi in general always has me smiling.

• 

  I can not recomend this Car - 2001 Audi A4
  By JohnO - January 24 - 2:00 am

  56000 miles Failed and paid for by Audis warrenty: Temp sensor & gauge Steering colum and rack Turn Signal cluster Clock spring Digital display in dash coil pack oil pump oil pick tube this all totaled $4000.00 in repairs that Audi picked up most. This is not uncommon research audiworld.com for the problems others are having. Look elsewhere for a reliable car

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  Love the car - hate the repairs - 1998 Audi A6
  By Liz in Des Moines - January 23 - 2:00 am

  This car drives like a dream. But with only 60,000 miles on it I have had to replace the water pump, replace all the valve gaskets and the rear differential gasket. I am averaging almost $400 a month in maintenance and repairs. I am really going to miss the comfort, luxury, and handling of this car when I trade it in on a more reliable, less expensive car to own.

• 

  up in smoke - 1999 Audi A6
  By up in smoke - January 22 - 2:00 am

  enjoyed my audi for almost 4 yrs with just routine mait. however on 012103 with app 62000 miles veh burst in flames while i was driving. veh was totally incinorated within 5 min.

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  Wooowwwww!!! - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Serionni - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought this excelent built half wagon half SUV for my wike. It was surprising the real sports car performance. Its fast and furious!! the Audi Quatrro sistem gives it a smooth ride. Much Better than my BMW X5 3.0

• 

  Great Car - 2005 Audi A6
  By luvnit - January 21 - 10:40 am

  Being an ex-Subaru Manufacturing Rep., my experiences with cars go farther than most consumers. With this, I found a car that has blown my socks off. My 2005 Audi A6 4.2 has taken me through rain, snow and ice without a hitch. The cockpit is well thought out, with the instruments slightly tilted toward the driver and the lighting perfect (you can adjust as well). I tested this vehicle against the BMW 545, Mercedes-Benz E500 4matic, Acura RL AWD, and Subaru Turbo Legacy GT. This vehicle outperformed all and in my eyes, shamed all.

• 

  Its OK, but.... - 2002 Audi TT
  By thompja53 - January 21 - 2:00 am

  The 180hp is weak. I was going to trade mine for a 2003 automatic but without the manual this is a dog to drive. For the same trade difference I got a new 350Z with about $7500 in options not on a similarily priced Audi. After 3 BMWs and one Audi, Ive had it with overpriced underpowered German quality.