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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  Audi A8 - 2001 Audi A8
  By Lyle - September 7 - 4:44 am

  Its very fun to drive, turns heads, and likely to be in the shop getting expensive repairs. This car, and Audis in general, are notorious for developing lots of little oil leaks. For some reason, the oil seals and gaskets only last about three or four years. The parts are not expensive, but the labor is. So they drop in price very quickly once the warranty expires. This can be a great bargain if you are moderately skilled at doing your own repairs, or a great expense if you pay dealership labor rates.

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  Neat Machine - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By tiekenr - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Fantastic substitute for an SUV! I upgraded from a VW Passat 4Motion and am still impressed by the craftsmanship of this car (and the VW was pretty impresssive in its own right). So many great features, but inexplicably, no GPS moving map (in the US, the European models do have it). Everyone else has cashed in on this feature, why not Audi?

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  S4 Pure Fun ZOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM - 2004 Audi S4
  By Paul - August 26 - 3:15 am

  This is an incredible ride. My first Audi but not my last. I was amazed at the handling. The (4.2L V8) 340 hp and 18/8 wheels matched with the AWD make for unbeliveable handling. Honest 0-60 in 5 seconds. The steering is so responsive it takes some practice. The fit and finish of both the interior and exterior are amazing.

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  Great Car - 2005 Audi A4
  By Robert - August 23 - 9:58 pm

  This car has given me no trouble and it is a piece of jewelry to look at. I love the way it sounds and it handles great. The only downside to this car is that too many people notice me which isnt a downside at all. Now as far as power, Audi really did not give enough oomph for a V6 and I am disappointed. However I do love the car despite its slow tendencies.

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  Wonder when the other shoe will drop - 2000 Audi A4
  By BarbaraK - August 14 - 9:31 pm

  I have had my Audi 2000 A4 1.8T AWD for five years now and find that anything I have to pay for is expensive. I have a good dealership, but the labor cost is amazing. What wears out most for me are the brake pads, every 11,000 miles, and the engine light has gone on at least once a year for vacumn hoses on the engine. I am very good about oil changes every 5,000 miles and take it in for any maintenance due. It is a wonderful driving car, and when I go on the turnpike I get great mileage, going much too fast. I am torn between loving my car and hating it whenever I go to the dealership for repairs. I would not buy a used Audi.

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  2015 Audi A3 - 2015 Audi A3
  By Frania23 - August 11 - 3:34 am

  It was a 2015 leftover with 40 miles when I purchased it in June of 2016. Ive had the car for only 1 month but really love it. I am 50 and this is my mid-life crisis car and am really enjoying the drive. I transitioned from a soccer mom highlander driver (which is a great vehicle), to empty nester Audi A3 driver. Enjoying the ride!

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  Some Good Things, Some Bad Things - 1998 Audi A4
  By Robert - August 6 - 2:26 pm

  It is expensive to fix, unless you are a DIY or can find a good mechanic who knows these cars. Do not bring back to the dealer, esp. if its used. Some issues with control arm and tie rods, but I put lots of miles on it. The digital readouts sometimes do not work well, esp. if there is significant climate change (I live in New England where it can change by 30 degrees in a day.) A/C is crisp and good, Engine is sound, body is excellent and resists salt erosion and wear, mechanically there are some issues esp over pothole roads. It is fast and nimble car, no back seat leg room.

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  needs better attention to details - 2005 Audi A6
  By don - August 5 - 10:15 am

  This is really a great car spoiled by a few problems, the throttle response in stop and go traffic is horrible, the brakes grab and the car has more rattles than a baby. On the plus side a great ride with outstanding fuel economy. I purchased a fully loaded 6 rather than the 8 with fewer options and 6 is just fine. Overall the execution is ok, however for the money the E320 is the better option as Audi missed a few easy to fix issues

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  belvedere - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By jonroe07508 - August 2 - 2:00 am

  to much turbo lal bad fuel mileage average raod comfort at times very rough but very well built and dependable

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  Too much maintenance - 2000 Audi A6
  By dakotarueckert - July 29 - 7:28 pm

  Bought used at 40,000 miles now has 112,000 miles. Fun to drive. Solid, no squeaks or rattles. Replaced 3 sensors, one of them twice always $500 a pop. Replaced gasket to stop oil leak and burnt oil smell but hasnt worked. Some front end alignment issues also. No AM radio reception. First foreign car Ive owned, not sure if Ill stay with Audi more expensive maintenance than my previously owned Ford products.