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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  Its an ok car - 2003 Audi A4
  By jgold95 - June 1 - 2:00 am

  I have had the audi for 1 year and i am counting down the months till the lease is over. The Cvt tranny jerks the car on acceleration. Its been in the shop for dumb problems. It goes fast but customer service at dealers is terrible. This is why i got rid of my wifes VW and when this lease is done i will go back to the BMW. If you cant decide between this and a 3 series, spend the extra few thousand for the BMW you will be happier. Dont get me wrong its comfortable, it performs well and gets great gas mileage for a v6 and it looks nice inside and out its just comming from a BMW and going to this is a vast change in a backward direction.

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  Still Holding Up - 1998 Audi A4
  By Brian - May 30 - 11:35 pm

  Ive had this car for three years and its held up fairly well. My only problems so far have been a broken switch for the right rear window, faulty door seals in the left rear that allowed water to leak in when it rained hard, and the headlight sprayer hose caused a leak to the washer fluid reservoir. Other than that this car has been fantastic. It handles well, still gets compliments on its looks, and the FWD version (which is a few hundred lbs lighter than Quattro) is fast enough to pass anyone I want, even in 5th gear on the highway. Ive got 93000 miles now and I plan to drive this car into the ground:)

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  Audi 1.8T Experience - 2003 Audi A4
  By AudiOwner - May 30 - 7:27 pm

  Purchased 2003 A4 1.8T last month. The turbo lag is very noticeable. Almost had an accident because the Audi hesitated while accelerating from a stop sign. The gears grind when shifted into Drive in the morning. Car has 29,000 miles. Glad I got a CPO vehicle, certified up to 100K miles or 2009. I knew not to expect a flawless vehicle from Audi. I do love the handling and looks of the car. Blk on Blk looks great, with 17 inch wheels. I get a lot of compliments, as Im the only A4 owner in town. If you can spare extra $3K, buy the 3.0. I wish I had.

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  Style over substance - 2002 Audi TT
  By Brandon Keener - May 29 - 10:10 pm

  This was my first German car after one Toyota, one Honda, and two Acuras. This was such a wonderful change from the Asian generic look of my previous cars, but the warranty issues were not something I was used to dealing with (bad clutch at 12K, haywire windows, faulty airbag, dead radio, oil burning). Regardless of these issues, I still love the car. Woefully underpowered for $39,800, it all comes down to the look. I have never been looked at more in any car I have ever owned. My relationship with the car was so strong that I forgave all its deficiencies....almost....see improvement needs....

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  Great but Place of CD poor - 2016 Audi A3
  By richard stevens - May 22 - 3:57 am

  CD should be like the A5. Putting it inside the glove compartment is poor. The blind or land change light is excellent !!!! The change to your songs is poor. This too should be put in your glove compartment not in the instrument next to your hand. That part should be open to keys etc. My A5 was far better !!!

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  Unbelieveably Bad Experience - 2000 Audi A8
  By paul - May 21 - 7:50 pm

  Ive always loved the A8 and was pleased as punch when I finally found mine. But Ive had nothing but trouble from this car. A year after purchase the check engine idiot light came high. Audi diagnosed it as a bad tank of gas and reset it. A few months later, same thing. I wanted a true diagnosis. $4300 in diagnostic fees later, its diagnosed as a broken valve spring requiring the heads be removed. Just this past week (May 2005) the steering started making noise. This diagnosis? An irreplaceable bearing in the electronic steering column -- the entire column needs to be replaced. The cost? Estimated at $2200.... Audi offered blue book on a trade, I declined. Im turning Japanese.

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  Not Hard Enough... - 1999 Audi A6
  By my first audi - May 20 - 12:54 pm

  UNBELIEVABLE IN SNOW! Can be driven hard. A quiet ride with tons of space, smooth brakes, and ample performance on the highway. Bought with 57k in Dec03 now has 77k. Had to replace front end tie rods (2), CV boot (1), capshaft sensor (1), and normal wear-tear items. Check engine light loves to say "hi". Still wondering why little things break on this model - perhaps its just not hard enough for my driving.

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  Great Engineering and performance - 2015 Audi S4
  By Chris Falk - May 18 - 10:40 am

  The car is built and engineered well. The handling and acceleration are great (in dynamic mode). The instrument layout, interior materials etc are what you expect from Audi and German engineers in general. My only gripe is that there arent any USB ports in a 2015 model higher end car. It has 2 SD ports which personally I dont have much if any use for. However, its a small issue in the grand scheme. Ive only had to go to the dealer for a routine oil change and to date no other issues worth noting.

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  Best all around car - 2002 Audi S4
  By Dave Sanborn - May 17 - 1:49 pm

  I recently went through the experience of having our 1st child and after 6 months realized that a stable of 2 Porsches wasnt working very well. I have always been a Porsche fanatic and owned a 930 turbo and a Boxster. Knowing that I needed to buy a more practical car but realizing I wouldnt be happy with less performance, I stumbled across the Audi S4. This car is the very best all around car that is on the market. It offers a stock 250hp twin turbo engine (which can easily be tuned to 310hp) with a max torque at 1850rpms. This thing shoots off the line and handles corners like a Porsche. Its also very comfortable, fits a baby seat in the backseat, has 4 doors, huge trunk, and can handle snow.

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  Many trips for repair shop - 1998 Audi A6
  By Gary - May 15 - 3:12 am

  Purchased in 2002 with 25,000 miles and loved the car until 50,000 miles when all the repairs started. Now have 100,000 miles 3yrs later. Have replaced all control arms, (2)oil leaks (rear Cam Adjuster seals @ $1,300 each), wheel bearings, dash readout, heater control flap, tie rods, headlight washer pump. Check Engine light comes on at least every 4-5,000 miles and cost $25 to reset. Luckly I purchased an after market warranty for $1,000 and have had $7,700 in covered repairs. Warranty ran out at 100,000 miles and Im debating weather to keep the car. I love driving but worry what repairs are next.