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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  First Audi -- Love It 75K later. - 2000 Audi A4
  By Anthony - May 15 - 1:05 am

  Its strange to hear people complain about all the "little" problems theyve had with their A4. Ive had no major problems AND I chipped it and installed aftermarket brakes, shocks, bypass valve and exhaust -- everything the dealer tells you will hurt your car -- after the original equipment wore out. ALSO, Ive always been diligent about using synthetic oil EVERY 5K miles and letting the engine idle at least 1 minute before shutting down if Ive run it hard. If you want a car like the status quo, get a Honda or BMW. If you want style and performance and are willing to take care of it, get the Audi. Also, understand maintenance will cost more than most Japanese cars, but less than BMW.

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  A6 fun to drive if it starts - 2005 Audi A6
  By ouchiea6 - May 11 - 6:43 pm

  My Audi is less than 6 months old, it has 4200 miles on it. Twice in three weeks it refused to start using the "Smart Key" Feature. I tried to use the traditional key instead. Not only did that not work as well, but the car refused to let me retrieve the key. The Audi also froze in Park, and the power would not go off. By the time it was towed to the service center, the battery was dead. It was in the shop for 6 days the first time, its been in for 7 days now for the second time. The service center still can not find out whats wrong with it. They did give me a nice loaner, however.

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  I love it, but it frightens me... - 1999 Audi A4
  By Saint - May 10 - 6:43 pm

  I bought this 99 from Audi with 34k miles, now has 55k. All service needed has been under warranty: Both rear bearings, new radiator, brake rotors, replaced from bushing. For the first year it was in the shop once a quarter, it seemed. So far this year - no problems. I love to drive it, looks great, handles great. But once the warranty ends this year - what will happen? Will it turn on me or be "one of the good ones"? Dealer has been good, and so far I am OK with the experience - thanks to the warranty!

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  My 2012 Q5 flooded in Harvey so I got another Q5! - 2017 Audi Q5
  By John Paulus - May 9 - 10:55 pm

  It has the most stylish lines of any comparable SUV on the market. Handles like a sedan with permanent 4 wheel drive. The 2017 is much quieter than my old 2012 too and with the B&O speakers, thats a plus!

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  Like but trouble - 1997 Audi A4
  By ed - May 8 - 11:23 pm

  Great car to drive. Can not beat it in snow with 4 snow tires. Many problems with repairs. Front end parts, electronics, leaks, trans. Will not get another German car they are very nice but too many expensive repairs.

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  M3 beater - 2005 Audi S4
  By mark - May 7 - 5:52 pm

  BMWs M3 really is a phenominal car quick, solid and good looking, but how many do you see around. The S4 is understated and, for an estate, very attractive. Straight line the BMW will win, driving entertainment and again the M3 pips the Audi to the post but for sheer aural entertainment nothing can beat a V8 (except a V10). Not only that, but Audis Quattro system means that 344PS is avaiable come rain or shine an awesomely inspiring piece of German engineering - next time Audi, a little rear bias on the Quattro and that sacrifice in grip will be more than made up for in driving entertainment.

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  Techno - 2005 Audi A8
  By John - May 3 - 11:13 pm

  The car has the style and luxury, of any other car. The exterior makes it look cheaper than it really is. The interior is very nice much like a mercedes-benz or better.

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  Dont Buy One - 2002 Audi A4
  By Denon - May 3 - 10:01 pm

  This car has been in the shop more than I have had it at my house. I am currently out of warranty and nobody wants to work on this car so Im forced to pay through the nose at the dealer. Every headlamp, side marker, tail lamp has burned out twice sinced Ive owned the vehicle. The vaccuum hoses have busted, the w/s wiper motor burned out, the cd player quit working, the computer went bad, it eats tires like crazy and the list goes on and on. Besides that it is a great vehicle? Prior to this vehicle I owned an Acura and traded it in at 90k miles and never had any issues except for replacing the tires. I will definitely go back to the Acura line and would not recommend Audi to anyone.

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  Beautiful on the outside... - 2001 Audi A4
  By Carole - April 29 - 4:28 pm

  I loved this car when I purchased it and up until about a year and a half or so ago. Since then, I have had nothing but major engine trouble. The repairs are exceedingly costly, and it is often difficult to find a shop that will work on the newer Audis, due to their intricate design. I have had to replace just about everything in this car, and am now looking at selling the vehicle. Beware of the type of oil your shop uses if not using synthetic the engine can seize up. Its too bad this great car had to go south so young! I hear similar stories from other Audi customers at my dealership. I would not buy another one.

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  Quality Problems - 1998 Audi A4
  By Jen - April 25 - 9:05 pm

  I absolutly love my 1998 Audi A4 1.8T quattro Sedan, but I cannot believe how often I am in the service departmant at the Audi dealership. I have had to replace countless airbags, clutches, and electronic compontes. I have had to replace cracked CV boots and joints. The CD player has malfunctioned several times. I am really dissapointed at the reliability of this car. I have had to have it towed to the dealership at least three times with in the last four years. I am not impressed and will never buy an Audi again despite how much I love it, my wallet does not.