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, if you can find a maintained one - 1996 Audi A4
  By J Wood - May 21 - 1:53 am

  I bought this from a good friend of mine. There were all the service records from new until 89k when I got it. Now at 107k I have replaced the cat converters ($100 - I got universal ones - they work FINE!), the alternator ($165), and the plugs and wires ($130). Thats it as far as maintenance. Now, if you want to keep this car affordable do the easy stuff yourself! Taking it to the dealer is a horrible idea - theres nothing magical about an Audi. I have spent hundreds more in extra modifications, but they werent necessary -) If I could do it over again though I would get a 1.8t or the 30v 2.8 (98 and up). The 12v in the 96 and 97, while reliable, is pretty slow.

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  I would say so-so - 2007 Audi A4
  By Danny - May 14 - 4:44 pm

  This is a great car, but it does have a few problems. The biggest problem so far is the fuel economy, granted I live in NYC, but 230 miles to the tank still seems like a bit much for a manual transmission being carefully driven. Now the fun part, at 4,953 the check engine light came on and as I soon found out, the oxygen sensor was broken. This would have to be the first time I have ever had anything break at 5,000 miles, and needless to say I was not pleased. Still pretty happy with the car though, an overall pleasant drive.

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  Allroad - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By trcross - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Great looks, many compliments. Not too many around so it has a great appleal. Excellent fit and finish. Poor full ecomony, but does have fulltime 4 wheel drive. Very fast pickup, but sensitive throttle. I have about 10,000 miles on the car with zero problems. I really enjoy driving this car.

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  Wow - 2005 Audi S4
  By s4pimpdaddy - May 12 - 10:13 am

  Wow, what a machine. I upgraded from a Volkswagen GTI to this and this car is light years ahead of anything else Ive ever driven. The AWD is flawless, the Recaro leather seats hold you in, and the quality of the interior is second to none. My only gripe about this car is the awful gas mileage.

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  Great car but... - 2004 Audi A8
  By King Daddi - May 9 - 3:01 pm

  I traded a 2001 BMW 740iL for the A8L. The car seems great but less than 3 weeks after I bought it, it was in the shop for a system failure and the entire dashboard display has to be replaced plus several other items. Check the service history. I was told by the tech that the 04s are "just temperamental". If you can, hold out for a 2006/07 Get a CPO and still under Audi warranty or you will be in big trouble. Gas mileage seem very poor.

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  A lot of car but a lot of money - 2017 Audi Q7
  By pensman - May 8 - 8:26 pm

  This is really an adult car and not a kid carrier. I went for the adaptive chassis which gives the Q7 amazing road holding. This car is loaded with technology. Audi should hold classes the way Apple does to familiarize the owner with everything this car is capable of doing. You have the ability to control all the cameras; that means you can get front, rear, side, and 360 degree views at will. The drivers seat is really a cockpit seat giving you access to heads up technology, and ability to control the dashboard display to meet your immediate needs whether it be fuel consumption or directional maps. The only real downside to the car is storage. The glove compartment is barely able to hold the manuals; and the center console might store a pack of gum. If you drop all the rear seats then you can fit in groceries or a set of golf clubs. I would urge you to purchase the extended warranty as everything in this car is digital or electronic, including the shift; and that will take a bit of time to adjust to. The only thing that still has a rotating knob is the radio volume on the steering wheel. Its a good that that through MyAudi online that you can view a number of instructional videos that help explain the cars technology. And when driving the car, be careful, because it is so quiet that you can and will exceed the posted speed limits. A great driving experience but it is an expensive driving experience when you have the prestige package.

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  Fast, Rough and Thirsty - 2006 Audi S4
  By Brian - May 8 - 3:31 pm

  One of the fastest cars I have ever owned (and I like fast expensive cars), a blast to drive for fun, but after a year I cant live with it anymore. A fifteen gallon tank and 15-18 miles to the gallon means filling up every other day. At 80 mph the car is turning 3200 rpm and while the suspension feels great on back roads, on the highway (where I spend too much time) the suspension makes small road imperfections feel like speed bumps. I know I wont get much sympathy here, but when talking on the cell phone on the highway, road imperfections make my voice warble, not good when talking to clients. A GREAT weekend car, but a tough daily driver.

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  Pretty to look at, but dont buy it! - 2006 Audi A3
  By sfo_pete - May 3 - 11:53 pm

  Great car, but not a month goes by without the check engine light coming on. 2 air conditioning compressors, misfiring cylinders, wont eject CDs, 1 qt of oil every 4K miles, 2 coolant leaks, leaking turbo inlet and seals, and on and on... I will NEVER buy another Audi, what a giant let down!

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  Love the Car but Repairs are Too Costly - 2000 Audi A6
  By Jenn - April 29 - 9:01 am

  Overall I am grateful for the exceptional handling, especially fantastic in snow, but the expensive parts and repairs after ~70k miles have me disappointed in the long term value of this car. Just before the extended warranty ran out, I had the AM radio fixed (it had never worked). When I picked up the car I found that the warranty company had paid about $1,000 for that repair alone. Since then Ive been spending about $1.5k - 3k every six months on repairs. As noted in other reviews, CD player failed and LCD panel faded at about 80k. The cup holders are flawed. I also no longer run back to the dealer to pay $110 for diagnosing the Check Engine Light that comes on every 2-3 months.

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  2002 Audi S6 Avant - 2002 Audi S6
  By Genoa - April 27 - 4:08 pm

  This drives like a Porsche, but hauls Christmas trees, and all sorts of gear. Sexier than any minivan or SUV, but not noticed by speed cops. Great ski vehicle.