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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  Very good, not great car - 2003 Audi A4
  By vwaudi - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my 2003 Ming Blue 3.OL Auto Quattro A4 for about a month now and overall Im happy, with some criticisms. Before I purchased, I seriously considered the Infiniti G35, BMW 3-series, and Passat All Motion, as well. All are fine cars, but I decided against G35 due to poor handling in the snow and suspect interior build quality/components and no folding rear seat. I decided against the 3 series because everyone and their sister has a 3 series and BMW nickle and dimes the options. I decided against Passat because at 190 horsepower, that was not enough since I was coming from a BMW Z3 with 190 horsies and much lighter car.

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  My Review - 2006 Audi A3
  By UgoC - April 24 - 5:06 pm

  A lot of fun to drive and a good value for the money. I waited for this car to come to the US because its one of a kind. My car has Cold weather, Premium Pkg., DSG, Open Sky and Lava Grey Paint.

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  Poor CVT Reliability - 2003 Audi A4
  By zippy753 - April 19 - 5:22 pm

  The problem is that the CVT transmission is a sealed, closed design and cant be rebuilt or fixed. A replacement transmission costs about $8000 installed. Not worth keeping out of warranty.

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  Fun car! But very expensive to fix! - 2003 Audi A4
  By trending - April 17 - 3:29 pm

  First A4, owned 2.5 years now. Very fun to drive, Quattro makes it handle like a dream. Very good in slippery weather. 60K regular service cost $700 at Audi dealer. 3 months later car needed all 4 brakes to pass state inspection $950! rotors must be replaced at each brake job (every 30K to 40K depending on how you drive). 2 months after brake job Bose stereo quit working. Not covered under CPO extended warranty $1700. Very expensive to own after original 50K warranty expires!

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  Partially Underrated - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Johan WA - April 16 - 1:56 pm

  Very good, safe vehicle. Convenient. Great on winter roads to go skiing – perfect; never put winter tires on it and never slipped once. I don’t like the rugged bumper-look, however, you do spend most of your time on the inside looking out, so the interior must be super-good, and it is, comfy and lots of gizmos. Variable ground clearance is the coolest – it’s why I got it. I expected it all to be broken by now, but 100,000 miles later it still works (and I use that toy). They say EPA is 16/23 city/high: my combined average is 22.1mpg at an average speed of 33mph, but I am a very gentle/boring driver. Overall smooth and relaxed vehicle; go anywhere any speed, over a pass or valet parking.

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  Engine Failed - 2007 Audi A4
  By jaa - April 9 - 3:58 pm

  After 4500 miles, the engine on my A4 developed a knock on the passenger side. Audi has replaced the air pump, ECU, and is now replacing the cylinder head. I am concerned that such a new motor has failed, and that Audi has instructed the dealer to break it open and repair it rather then replace the motor or vehicle.

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  Audi A4 convertible - 2007 Audi A4
  By bobt - April 8 - 9:04 am

  Have owned the car for 6 days and love it! Went with FWD and CVT due to price -- wanted a convertible and this is a 3rd car that will not do heavy duty driving or commuting. For general driving, the FWD is more than fine. Engine is great with 2.0T -- peppy and efficient at same time. Brother-in-law owns 05 1.8T Sedan - drove my 2.0T & says its much stronger from a standstill. Upgraded stereo with Bose/Sirius is fabulous. Interior fit/feel is intuitive, with lots of little features that make it a pleasure to drive. Top up/ down process is painless and takes less that 30 seconds. Overall, no regrets and the price was right, compared to a used 2006 BMW convertible.

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  Disappointing Audi - 2003 Audi A4
  By Disappointed - March 31 - 11:45 am

  My 03 A4 1.8T Quattro (53K miles) is constantly in the shop. The dealership once forgot to change the oil during scheduled maintenance, forcing a breakdown on 95. Another time, the oil pump failed, again forcing a breakdown on 95. Further, separate fuel coils have failed, forcing two additional breakdowns on the highway. Aside from reliability, the A4 1.8T Quattro is a sluggish car (although it handles nicely in bad weather). I previously owned an A4 and had similar issues. While this car looks good inside and out, its reliability is unsatisfactory, to put it mildly. I will never buy an Audi again, and I urge you to exercise caution before purchasing one.

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  Great car - if you dont mind the repair - 2001 Audi A6
  By Audi2.7T - March 23 - 9:01 am

  Initially I was in love with this car from the first test drive, but 4 months and 7000 miles later I no longer own it. The car is a joy to drive and with the optional sport suspension and 18 inch rims has absolutely incredible handling. The car is extremely comfortable to drive. It had 61,000 miles on it when I bought it, and in my time with the car it needed cam seals, valve cover gaskets, temperature sensor, door lock, instrument cluster, HID ignitor, radio, power steering pump, front brake rotors. Near as I can figure about $5000 worth of work - thank God for the CPO warranty. I was able to get pretty much out of it what I paid for it because of all the repairs which were done.

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  Ultimate Snow Car - 2001 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Roberto - March 19 - 4:13 pm

  I have lived in Colorado Ski Country for 47 years and have driven Jeeps, Landrovers, Ford Explorers, BMWs and ugh, yes even a Mercedes. The Audi Allroad with Michelin snow tires is the finest handling snow car in the world! Really!! I drive from Denver to Leadville and to Aspen every week during the winter and navigate multiple 11,000 and 12,00 foot passes all winter; even during the height of three and four foot snowstorms. Trust me, this car has saved us from serious injury at least twice. However, as I approach 90,000 miles, Im getting very nervous that my 100,000 warrantly is nearing its end.Only serious problem has been the hydraulics. Theyve been replaced three times on warranty.