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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  Wonderful, but be good with a wrench - 1998 Audi A4
  By Woll - February 4 - 8:20 am

  I bought mine used three years ago. I have had many cars but this one was great, terrific pick up, quattro snow traction, excellent ride over all surfaces. I say "was" because it was destroyed in rear-end accident last week. This is not a car you want brought to the dealer w/no warranty! Ever. You must plan on repairing items yourself or finding a local guy. If you can do that, the car is affordable, if not, dont buy it or buy a newer one. Mine has been somewhat reliable, but the engine is particularly trouble prone. I have personally done the following: replaced all camshaft seals (tricky), timing belt, front main seals, wheel bearings, oil pan.

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  Fun but Risky - 2014 Audi TT
  By Alice - February 3 - 8:50 am

  I loved my little TT for the 5 months I owned it except I would only suggest it to people than can pay for repairs. I had the vehicle two months and the heater stopped working on it. Thankfully the dealership I bought it from understood my frustration and only charged $100. It ran very well and strong the next few months, no signs of loss of power in hard on-ramp pulls or quick passing over-takes of slow moving cars. But then, one day put her in drive and the car lurched forward and my dash lit up with several warning lights. After only 5 months, my engine had blown without any warning - and not to mention the dealer had just checked it out only 3 months prior to. It would have cost over $10k to fix if I had not had the after-market dealership warranty. But by the point I was disappointed my very fun car had been so much work after only owning her for 5 months that I got rid of her. Buy it if you want to have LOTS of fun in the sun and/or snow and have the money to fix her when she throws a fit.

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  Pretty good, but... - 2006 Audi A3
  By JWD - February 3 - 8:41 am

  Great purchase, in general. You wouldnt expect a 4-door hatch to be a head turner, but it is. The famous Audi attention to detail is there, but I take issues with some of the UI decisions. Maybe its just mine, but the DSG is a little hinky and pauses and catches sometimes (dealer told me they couldnt find any problems when I took it in). Sunroof clip broke the very first day. No iPod jack on an upgraded Bose system? Come on. No OB computer?? Even my girlfriends Grand Vitara shows real-time gas mileage.

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  Audi Loyalist - 2001 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Audi loyalist - February 2 - 4:03 pm

  Purchased car used with 48,000 miles but with a six year 100K warranty. Auto has proven to be the most versatile vehicle I have ever owned. Now that the car is getting up in mileage (82,000) I am getting concerned about ownership costs. I had both front air struts replaced at a cost of $2,700 (ouch)and have had two sets of front brake rotors warp and the air bag sensor needed to be replaced, all major items but my extended warranty covered everything except the shocks (coverage expired two weeks before shocks blew). Regardless I have greatly enjoyed the ownership experience and am actually scouring the market for a low mileage 2005 model as no other car on the market comes close.

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  DSG Rocks - 2006 Audi A3
  By JIm - February 2 - 5:43 am

  I just test drove an Audi A3 with DSG and was amazed! The DSG has converted me from a committed manual transmission driver. The A3 was fast and fun, however I will wait for the new VW GTI that is now on sale in Europe because it has the same engine and transmission but is lighter, bigger, better looking, and cheper.

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  94 UrS4 classic AWD performance/safety - 1994 Audi S4
  By Brian - January 30 - 3:35 pm

  I have owned my dark green on ecru leather S4 for over 2 years now, and I love it. It is costly to maintain, but it is very safe and fun to drive. Roomy for everyone and comfortable. The 5 spd is beautiful and the turbo makes this car Porsche fast! I have 107k on it now, perhaps I will keep it forever. I get about 22 mpg. It is lowered and has 17 inch BBS wheels on it. It stops, corners, and drives excellent. ***** star crash rating keeps me driving this with ease and poise. A few AMGs, WRXs, and R32s know what these are, but for most it is a sleeper. I have only had it up to 125 mph, but I have heard it will go 165 mph easily if you had the space to do it! IA chip, fun car, find one-love it.

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  Great automobile but....... - 2001 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Steve - January 26 - 3:16 am

  Incredible automobile - styling, design, drivability, etc. Works well for Maine winters. Minor problems along the way BUT no sooner than the 50k/4 yr warranty was over the whole transmission blew! Cost: $5,600 to replace. Audi split the cost and paid 75% while I paid $1,300. Bummer as the lease is almost over and had to fork over some large $$. I got nowhere with AudiUSA on this issue. No good explanation from anyone on the cause of the issue other than it occasionally happens. This is my 2nd Audi - first was a 1998 A6 which I purchased. Decided to lease this one. Im afraid after 2 tries Ill not purchase another Audi again. I fear the undependability and future costs to maintain it.

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  Not So Sweet - 2005 Audi A6
  By dso72 - January 25 - 12:06 pm

  I bought this car and drove off the lot with a huge smile. The smile has turned to tears. This car was the biggest mistake I have ever made. Audi is a nightmare to deal with. I have had numerous problems with the electrical system. One thing after another. They were all safety issues and made the car undrivable. There were also issues with the Sirius radio, blue tooth, speakers, airbag, and more. I am not sure if it is just my car but I am going to assume that it is. My car has been in the shop over 30 days in the last 6 months. Audi really does not care. I would never buy another.

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  Great Car - 1997 Audi A4
  By Josh - January 21 - 10:54 pm

  Great car, suspension is fantastic, although the exterior is ok. It can be easily spiced up a bit by adding an RS4 body kit. They will then look fantastic. Outstanding car for the miles that are on mine, 101000.

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  Civilized Drivers Car - 1998 Audi A4
  By audi driver - January 10 - 7:09 pm

  Perfect balance between comfort and sport. Whether you are just running errands or just out for a relaxing enthusiastic drive, its a pleasure to drive. Everything is right where you want it in the interior. Great sounding stereo and Quattro handles awesome on wet/snowy roads. Plus, when you get into your 1998 Audi next to someone getting into a 2001 Honda(and you paid less than them), you cant but think "sucker"