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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  Great all around family car - 1999 Audi A6
  By kevin - January 10 - 10:04 am

  Make sure you do your homework. Buy an Audi that has been well maintained, and do regular maintenance. No one can believe that the car is 8 years old w/ over 100k on her. She looks and drives like new. We have had to do the control arms (11 piece set w/ tie rods were $400 + $250 labor), also put in Koni FDS shocks and the car rides BETTER than new. We have slowly been changing all the fluids (tranny, differentials) and this makes a BIG difference. We also switched to synthetic (0/40 Mobil1) oil, again with very good results. Audi comfort and interior quality is second to none.

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  Great looker - very poor reliability - 2004 Audi S4
  By Stephen Williams - January 8 - 4:19 pm

  This is my second S4 (I had a 2001 previously), and my 5th Audi. The design is great, interior elegant and ergonomic, and it performs great. But the reliability has been miserable. I only kept it for 6 months - it was in the shop every month of those 6 months. It went through brake rotors, had a coolant leak, an transmission cooler leak, the ABS system failed intermittently, and the check engine light came on (bad O2 sensors) twice. Probably the last Audi Ill ever buy - sad really.

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  Horrible Engine - Horrible Company - 2001 Audi A4
  By badcar01 - January 7 - 6:44 pm

  I bought my 2001 A4 1.8T when it was 3 years old with 48K miles on it. I loved it for a while - great snow car, but at 72K, the timing belt failed and ruined the engine. Audi refuses to do anything to help, and I was out $8K for a new engine. Finally traded it in.

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  Turbo Lag - 2004 Audi A4
  By a4 - January 3 - 10:56 pm

  Turbo lag, turbo lag, turbo lag The problems I have had with this car start with the fuel pump humming noise. The dealer replaced it twice. As of now no more noise. AC turns off when it feels like it. I live in florida & it get hot here so AC is a must but the A4 AC seems to have a mind of its own. I had a 1996 A4 with the same problem. Now to my biggest complaint. The 1.8ts turbo lag. Say you are in the middle of the intersection waiting for an opening. In the Audi dont even think about creeping in. You better have a big opening by the time you step on the gas and the car reacts its too late.

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  Dont buy an Audi - 2005 Audi A6
  By denniso482 - January 1 - 10:01 pm

  This car was great the first 12 months. I have had numerous problems with the car, the dealer and Audi NA. I would not recommend that anyone buy an Audi. The car is very unreliable and not worth the money. Parts are never in stock and service is a joke. I think I will be going to a Lexus from here. There are some good features but the are all overshadowed by Audi business practices.

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  Transmission Killer - 2002 Audi A4
  By Audi A4 3.0 - December 28 - 8:40 am

  I love the way this car looks, feels and drives, however... We just put in our third new replacement transmission!! The car has been in the shop for 4 months out of the last two years. The mechanic had to order the tranny from Germany as they are on back order in the US. The transmissions are about $7000 a piece. Thank God for extended warranties!! Buyer beware.

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  A good value - 2007 Audi S8
  By xbeemerman - December 27 - 3:25 pm

  My decision was between a Mercedes S550 4 matic sport and the Audi S8. The S550 is nice, but the S8 just felt like something more special. The v10 engine (smooth and quiet at normal speeds, and unbelievably poweful and "baritone" when you want it to be), and the special "S" interior and exterior felt like something a step above the norm. Even the ride (with the std 20 inch rims) is wonderful in comfort mode... unbelievable given the potholes in my part of the country). I average about 15.5 mpg (70% city/30% highway). Not great, but hey, that v10 power/noise has got to come from somewhere. Net, no regrets so far.

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  Great - 2006 Audi A3
  By J. Kreg - December 23 - 5:15 pm

  Vehicle has been great! Engine has excellent acceleration with 250 horses and automatic transmission shifts almost like a manual. I have 18" rims and my windows tinted and it has been a head turner. Great for younger people, if they can afford it. Only dislike is the size. I need more room in the back, but then Id have to go on to an A4 right? Better gas mileage also.

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  Fun, but ughhh - 2001 Audi A4
  By JCA462 - December 21 - 11:14 am

  The car is nimble and quick with great features, but as far as reliability is concerned, I cant give this car a grade better than a C-. Ive owned the car for two months and have already encountered electrical problems one being the central locking module which is expensive to replace, but was fixed free of charge from where I purchased the car. The engine just seems sketchy to me. It idles high at start up and blows some smoke from the exhaust at times, but not all the time (like during the test drive *angry face*). Random squeaks and ticks have become common, but its a different one each time I drive the car. None of the sounds continue for more than one or two drives. Its a nice car, though.

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  Pleasently surprised - 2017 Audi A4
  By Krishna Bellamkonda - December 21 - 6:07 am

  I had a 13 BMW 320i with Dinan Stage 1 and M Sport(with 6speed manual). It was really a fun car, with enough power and great dynamics. Since I was getting older, and my wife needed an automatic and was sitting in traffic a lot, we decided to get an automatic with more linear power(read I6/V6). Shopped around for Lexus IS350 and BMW 340i. 340i was good, but moving from manual to automatic, I didnt find the transmission react fast enough for my tastes. IS350 with its 8-speed transmission was also not as responsive. So I started looking for vehicles with dual-clutch given faster shift times and better response. Audi A4 is one of the few cars in the market with 7 speed DCT in the price range and new 2.0T motor is torque rich and in fact I found the vehicle better than sportier S3. Also even the base trim(Premium) has the Android Auto/Apple Play combo negating the need for nav package(mine has Convenience package, which is a must-have). And Quattro with rear-bias is another feature worth paying for. All in all, I got almost 5K off sticker on a brand-new vehicle which is a way better deal than BMW 328i(RWD), Lexus IS300(AWD) and Acura TLX-V6 SH-AWD which are way out of Audis league in terms of responsiveness and ride quality. Handling is little better in BMW, but everything else is dated. Previous Audis never impressed me, but this vehicle is quite a revelation and definitely worth considering if you are in market for entry level sporty-luxury sedans. At least until Lexus and BMW move to next generation, Audi seems to the best all-rounder in the segment.