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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  Stylish but lazy in performance - 2006 Audi A6
  By A6 3.2 Quattro - July 23 - 12:48 pm

  I bought this car mainly because of its edgy new look & safety. Unfortunately the 3.2 A6 is sluggish off the line. Unresponsive while cruising on Drive, and the Sport mode seems to shift with too much of an advanced delay. This car is fine for a driver who doesnt care about torque and responsiveness across the RPM line.

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  Love Hate Relationship - 2001 Audi A4
  By Jprep2004 - July 20 - 4:24 pm

  I just thought I would put my two cents in with the rest of the Audi owners having troubles. My engine blew out in the middle of Kansas 1 year after buying it used (32000 and Audi certified). The oil is a big problem. After that, I have no confidence in the car - its been back for some minor stuff, but everytime it hiccups or idles funny I get shivers. Now that Im at 70k and the car is worth 9k or 10k, the repairs are not worth it. Im waiting on the new BMW 3 series Coupe. Its a shame. I love driving the car when it works and was looking to mod it, but no way will I put more money into a car I cant trust.

• 

  Troubles - 2000 Audi A6
  By CatherineE - July 20 - 10:00 am

  We have had trouble with the car burning oil - about 4 quarts between scheduled maintenance - they say its normal. We have also replaced the front brakes 3 times. The check engine light has gone on several times. Once it was repaired - the other times just goes off and on. The tie rod ends were replaced, water temperature guage didnt work, the oil low pressure light came on once, and there is static in the left front speaker. Now the car is shifting really hard. Love the car, but not all the numerous problems.

• 

  all of these reviews are dead on - 2006 Audi A3
  By Pisha - July 19 - 1:13 am

  Its incredibly fun to drive. Fast, fast, fast. And agile! I wouldnt bother with a MT b/c the DSG lives up to the hype - definitely get it without the sport package because the paddles are a blast. The 2.0 is doing 80 before you realize, so the 3.2 must be incredible. When you fold down the back seats there is plenty of room. Definitely test before considering any comparable vehicles.

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  TT Envy - 2005 Audi TT
  By Will - July 18 - 6:16 pm

  It took three years to decide to buy and so far, so good. The TT is incredibly fun to drive. Its speedy, but more of a cruiser than a bruiser. Style is the selling point.

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  Traded 99 Boxster for this - love it so - 2006 Audi A4
  By Larry - July 17 - 10:55 am

  Started having maint issues with Porsche... wanted something with convert., good warranty, luxury, and the scheduled maint is still included thru 06.

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  Luxury. Perfomance? - 1994 Audi 100
  By audi4life - July 10 - 12:52 pm

  This is a great car. While it may not jump off the line, it is still fun to drive and is very reliable. I cannot find a nicer looking 12 year old car. My 94 100 cs has every feature imagineable, and for a 94 was well ahead of its time. The fine audi leather blended with rich wood grain trim is luxury at its finest. Complete with a v6, power sunroof, heated front seats, power seats, automatic adjusting power mirrors, electronic temp. display, and nice 16 alloy rims, this is a great car. Performs best on the highway, as the Germans designed it for cruising on the autobahn. Runs just as well at 100 mph as it does at 60 mph.

• 

  like driving a humming bird - 2006 Audi A3
  By jerbco - July 5 - 7:07 pm

  I havent found a single design flaw on this car. Everything is perfect. Quality is typical Audi (i.e., very good) but the dash has a somewhat plasticky look (a different rubberized surface would have a nicer look, I think). Also, Im not a big fan of the aluminum trim on the sport model. That said, this car is an amazing drive. Powerful, fast, almost no turbo lag. No one has outmuscled it on the freeway yet.

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  Get the extended warranty - 2002 Audi TT
  By Cyan - June 29 - 11:28 pm

  I have had many small problems. Some of which Ive had fixed by Audi service only to have the problem come back. Never left me stranded or embarrassed. I get lots of looks, kind of a funny sounding wimpy idle. Handles like its on rails but could use a little more power. Tons of space for a small car. Its my work truck, I have seriously fit a 32"X80" door into it just fine. Half dozen 2X4s no problem. Can get 7 5-gallon buckets and my tools.

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  Looks great on the flatbed. - 2001 Audi TT
  By TTerrible - June 29 - 2:56 pm

  Problems too numerous to list but Audi 1.8T motors have well known timing belt failure issues that cause major engine damage. Failure typically occurs well before 90,000 service interval. research A4 class action lawsuit. Expensive to buy, insure, maintain and, most of all, repair. Too many computer chips and sensors that fail regularly. I have been left stranded on the roadside twice in 6 months by serious mechanical failures that were expensive to repair. Dont buy one as a primary vehicle. Definitely dont buy one used. Better yet, dont buy one at all. I have owned mine for two years and it has had 5 or 6 significant repairs that required me to drive a loaner or rental car for a few days