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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  Can not wait to sell this car. - 2013 Audi A4
  By Danaehamma@gmail.com - July 18 - 1:50 pm

  I bought this car brand new in 2013 and Ive had issues ever since. The car is obviously a very low profile car and I live in New England so I went through 6 Pirelli tires before I finally put all weather continental tires on the car. The car does not drive as smoothly now but at least I have not gotten any bubbles in the tires or cracked any rims since purchasing the continentals. There have been multiple recalls for the heating system, air bags, electronic, etc. that have required repairs. The check engine light came on around 30,000 miles and required multiple valves to be replaced. The dealership claimed they were "faulty" but gave no explanation as to what or why. Then, at 41,000 the car DIED on the highway due to transmission failure. I had to have the vehicle towed in the middle of the night to the dealership. The ENTIRE transmission needs to be replaced. Again, the only explanation is that it was "faulty" and they are unsure what exactly went wrong. Thankfully the car is still under warranty, but this does not make me feel any better. There is no reason there should be this many issues and "faulty" parts on a car this new. I will definitely be selling this car in the Spring and have NO intention of buying another Audi. Every car has its issues, but given the amount I have had with this car in a short period of time with NO real explanation of the problems from the dealership, leads me to believe Audis are not as reliable as the price tag would suggest.

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  Not the German quality I was sold - 1999 Audi A6
  By WW Jr - July 3 - 7:16 pm

  Big bucks lemon! Good ride and comfort, but has the same quality as my 1982 Pontiac 6000 . Back then even GM treated me better with problems then my dealer or contacting Audi direct. Dozens of small items broke, from washer covers, window switches (3xs times), front bumper cover, digital dashboard, front axel, tranny leaks, engine leaks (which they wouldnt acknowledge until the warranty was over) to final disgrace when the air bags failed to work when I totaled it. 4 days before I was to trade this nightmare in at a LOST - as the resale value also is horrible! Dont believe the German quality myth.

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  A pleasure to drive, nightmare to own - 2004 Audi A8
  By Gary Lee - June 27 - 7:17 pm

  This is a beautiful car and a sheer joy to drive and ride in -- but you dont want to own one! (unless you REALLY like visiting your dealer) This is my 8th Audi -- and my last. It spent over three months in the shop in the first year. Alarm system, MMI, running down the battery, trunk closer bent the trunk lid (Audi said it couldnt happen and wouldnt replace), starter module, air bags failed (twice), transmission. Audi wouldnt own up to any problems...until it died on the dealership floor. They had a fix for a problem that doesnt exist, but it didnt work. Wont take the car back (its "cheaper for them to keep fixing it.") Three trips to dealer this month. Sound like fun????

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  very dissapointing - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By stugs - June 27 - 2:00 am

  turbo lag is huge

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  Read This First - 2017 Audi Q5
  By First & Last Audi - May 1 - 1:04 am

  My wife has always wanted an Audi. So when our 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Lease ended we "Upgraded" to a 2017 Q5. The vehicle is a disappointment! I wish I could take it back. What we Lost: Remote Start, Touchscreen Infotainment with larger screen, Heated Steering Wheel, USB ports, and half our Trunk Space! You cant advance songs from the steering wheel, the volume knob is on the far side of the gear shift, & its a 2 step process to lower the air power. Another annoyance is the wiper blades cant be raised, so cleaning ice and snow off the blades is a chore. Plus, you have to pay for 10k, 20k, and 30k maintenance or spend another $900 for their Audi Care plan. Yes, its gorgeous and it handles well in the snow, but the infotainment system is overly-complicated. Ive learned my lesson... Looks arent everything. Its "luxury", but totally impractical.

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  Audi A6 - 2003 Audi A6
  By jrp604 - April 28 - 12:04 am

  Wears tires out, perpetually out of balance, interior trim peeling, popping from the suspension, windows malfuntion in cold weather. In other words a piece of junk. Audi America says "Too bad, well keep fixing it the under warranty". Tires have been balanced 6 times and replaced by Audi at 7000 mi., Audi says to rotate them every 3000 mi. Both front brake rotors replaced at 1500 mi. No problem for me, just took a loss on the Audi and ordered a 2006 BMW 530xi. No more VAG products for me!

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  Dont waste your money - 2001 Audi A4
  By Scott - April 3 - 4:29 am

  I leased my 2001 Audi A4 1.8T quattro Sedan new. It was great for the first year. Since then it has been in the shop with multiple problems at least every other month. Ive been to four Audi service centers and each one does a worse job than the other. Audi customer service didnt seem to care either. Im finally fed up with the car and contacted Audi of North America for details on turning it in early...they finally want to talk, but its too late. We also have had two Volkswagen Jettas with similar problems. I wouldnt recommend an VW/Audi product.

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  Get out your wallet, this car is junk - 1999 Audi A4
  By ShamusFu - January 18 - 12:33 pm

  You would have to be INSANE to buy an Audi A4. I drive mine 12,000 miles per year TOPS and have done $3,000 worth of repairs with less than 60,000 miles on it. Ive had bad wheel bearings, timing belt (which will destroy the engine if it ever breaks), water pump, radiator hoses, mass airflow sensor, and now the thermostat. The dealer charges $400 to replace the THERMOSTAT!!! (a $30 part). Even in peak operating condition, this car would get killed by a Honda Civic in a drag race, and gets lousy gas mileage. Do not be fooled by the Audi badge, these are Volkswagens in disguide, except the maintenance is twice as expensive. Get a Lexus.

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  Audi Lack of Assurance - 1999 Audi A6
  By lkjl - August 24 - 2:00 am

  Car has been great with minor problems until 90k. Brought the car into the dealership for its last checkup and they found all sorts of leaks and guess what Audi Assured said. Sorry......we cant cover them. I am very disappointed because until now I was a big fan. I would not recommend this car or company to anyone

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  Lemon - 2005 Audi A4
  By tomhorvath - August 9 - 10:00 am

  Although pretty to look at, and fun enough to drive, the design shortcomings and limited features quickly became tiresome. Mediocre fit and finish was just the beginning of our experience with a car that went back for repair over and over. What started out as chasing rattles and loose trim lead to a noisy undercarraige and a replaced transmission. The dealer did all the warranty work with a smile, but we took the hint and traded it in for another brand car, built in a whole different country. The car is fine for a test drive, but soon disappoints.