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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  Good Car, Average Reliability - 1997 Audi A4
  By Timlars - March 7 - 9:52 am

  This car worked well, but we had a number of small issues with it. The drivers side window repeatedly slipped off the track, the transmission has been not shifting as crisp as it should. Its a good car if you get on that has been taken care of. Handles well, but there is a lack of power. AWD system works great in MN winters. Would buy this car again, but make sure the timing belt has been changed!!! If it isnt, you can bend a valve and it will be $3000 later before it will be back on the road.

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  My beloved mechanical trainwreck - 2003 Audi A4
  By ironlion49 - March 6 - 6:36 pm

  I love this car. I also hate this car. Bought it with 43,000 miles on it, and 5k later had to replace the clutch (of course not under warranty). Since then, traction control cpu has failed (dealership fails repeatedly to fix it), THREE ignition coils have failed (one on vacation)... the list goes on. I cringe when the car so much as shudders now- it feels as though the things just waiting for the worst possible moment to break. Styling is great, fuel economy is decent, interior comfort and design is stellar. Turbo lag is ridiculous- the power delay is embarrassingly pronounced. The mechanical issues are too much. This has soured my opinion of Audi- my next car will not be an Audi.

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  Used but perfect!! - 2005 Audi A4
  By PWH - March 2 - 4:32 pm

  After looking around for a new A4 Cab, I decided to save some bucks and get one with all the bells and whistles. No disappointments here... great car, perfect size, appointments and styling. Ive had many near and full luxury autos... this ones the best. All the performance but with an understated brand. Love this car!

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  Not very good service - 2005 Audi A6
  By Deb - February 25 - 11:15 am

  In 3 years this car has not had any big issues until recently. Since the dealer replaced a recall part of a fuel filter or pump, the car periodically does not start. Eventually it does (I havent had to be towed yet). It has been in repair regularly since October and they say it is not replicating what I describe. After several attempts at this, the dealer now has called in a special engineer to work on my car. I am now driving a low budget A4 loaner as the dealer still has my car and has not returned any of my calls. Audi USA service is just as unresponsive and very robotic with all of their responses. They are of no help.

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  not my parents wagon - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Haz - February 20 - 10:00 am

  Shopped wagons for new family but still love to drive. Tested Passats, Volvo XC, Saab, BMW 3 & X5, Audi A6. All good cars but 2003 allroad really stood out. Looks cool, great build quality, perfect utility, spacious, top comforts, quick and fast. Turbo puts your head back and no lag with manual. Handling softer than our A4 – wider steering, longer shifter throws, occ tire give in fast corners – but still always a hoot. For a wagon it dazzles. We actually use variable susp (low hghwy, high city) with very different drive feel. More money than runner-up Passat but way more fun.

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  Beautiful Torture Chamber - 2003 Audi A4
  By Mason Jones - February 20 - 10:00 am

  This car is the most beautiful sedan out there, far surpassing a plain 3 series BMW. However, the ride is made uncomfortable by several things. I traded a 2000 A4 and the seat on my new Audi is 3 inches narrower and quite bit harder foam. The console is too wide and I hit my knee on it constantly. Many people comment on this bothersome flaw. The ride is extremely harsh and vibrating over small bumps and yet bouncy as a 1970 Buick over large dips. I do not have the sport suspension but I drove it and it could find bumps to crash over on the surface of glass. The speed to 60 mph is just as fast with the 1.8. Save your money and go for the turbo.

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  looks,quality,surefooted, but no go! - 2003 Audi A4
  By srivet - February 20 - 10:00 am

  When we got the A4 avant for my wife a year ago,we knew the car was a beauty,and we suspected great built quality,and we got it. What we did not know is that the 1.8turbo matched to the 5 speed auto is almost slow,noisy at high rpms,and very thirsty for so few inches. Why offer this combo to such unsuspecting public?I know the torque is excellent and that there is almost no turbo lag,but pleeeeaaase, at 37 grands out the door,we deserve better performance!. Apart from that,it is very comfortable,handles beautifully, and a very pleasant place to spend time in ,unless you are going up a slope,fully loaded,with the dog in the back.

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  Delayed acceleration and squeaky brakes - 2007 Audi A6
  By tomv - February 16 - 7:03 pm

  When I took delivery of my car and the brakes were very loud the salesman told me this was just a temporary problem and would go away-it has only been worse. Srevice dept reply-brakes squeak. My 4 other vehicles do not have squeaky brakes. The worst problem however is the delayed acceleration at slow speeds. I will not let other family members drive this car, it is not safe and again the service reps say thats just the way it is! I will never buy another. I own 2 Lexuses and have had no problems that were not taken care of ditto that for the 2 BMWs. Audis indifference to these acknowledged problems is beyond belief.

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  2008 Audi S4 - 2008 Audi S4
  By Don Cooke - February 14 - 6:52 pm

  I love the sound and performance of the big V8. The AWD has been impressive in the snow and on ice. It can still get stuck if the snow is deep enough, and the traction control system is complex. Audi does not provide good information on it. The ride is on the harsh side, and not adjustable. There have been transient squeaks and rattles from the interior body panels. The rear seat is cramped. Aside from all this, the car is very quick, handles well and is a blast to drive. Navigation and audio system both excellent, and I like the iPod integration even though the track names do not show up on the screen

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  I love my A4 but will never buy again - 2001 Audi A4
  By Gerardo - January 31 - 12:04 pm

  I bought this car as I am a german car lover. Unfortunately ever since I owned it I have had to change timing belt, tensioner, h2o pump, o2 sensor, 2 window regulators crushed, front door speaker bursted, 1 ball joint, 1 cv joint, name it. I hope by mid 2008 I will be able to trade it!! That is a pill hard to swallow.