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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  Poor Choice,Beware Audi has lots of work to do still - 2009 Audi A4
  By rd7 - December 19 - 10:04 pm

  I bought a brand new Audi A4 Premium Plus 2.0T quattro 2009 sedan. No problems up until about 5K+ miles, thereafter increasing engine sound / noise, gears not changing and getting stuck at 2nd/3rd gear. Reverse gear failed to engage during winter of 2009. Transmission filter & fluid was replaced, which resolved the problem for several months, until onset of winter 2010, the same problems are back now. Additionally card DRINKS oil, had to be in twice already to top up oil (car has 20K miles on it presently). Rattling and crackling noises are fairly frequent, which should NOT be seen in a luxury brand. God bless & long live Acura, Lexus, Infiniti, BMW & Mercedes. Please Stay CLEAR of AUDI !

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  Shoddy interior quality - 2006 Audi A4
  By Audi vs BMW - November 28 - 2:00 am

  Initially, I was very happy with my purchase of the Audi A4. With its AWD, it was the perfect choice for driving in Wisconsin winters. However, four years into my purchase, I am very disappointed because of the shoddy wear of the interior. The glove box has fallen off, and from what I read in Audi forums, this is fairly common and Audi charges big bucks to fix this defect. The leather of the drivers seat has developed cracks. And the hinge on the center console has stopped working. I previously owned a BMW 318ti for 10 years. Year ten, the interior was just as good as the day I purchased it. For the money, I was expecting the same quality. Audi does not deliver. I will return to BMW.

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  Worst car ever - 2004 Audi A4
  By john - November 11 - 2:00 am

  A week after I bought the car the fuel pump went. Center arm rest broke and so did the glove box. Closed the door one day and the side air bags went off 6000 in repairs for the side airbags but was covered by Audi USA. Thermostat broke twice. The speakers cut in and out. Rear Windows wont work and front ones work when they feel like it. Burns a quart of oil every 1000 miles Audi says this is normal. Had to replace the clutch. And transmission rebuild. Coils always fail leading to misfiring witch overheated my engine blowing the head gasket and cracking the head. There is lots more Im forgetting I could have bought this car ten times over.

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  2009 A4 Burns Oil - 2009 Audi A4
  By K - October 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my A4 back to the dealer 4 times for excessive oil consumption. Theyve gone as far as replacing all of my pistons/ring (took 30 days) to complete and it still consumes about 1 qt. every 1500 miles. Power steering hose is on recall so had that repair completed at the same time and had to take it back again for the power steering hose. This car looks awesome but just isnt very well built I have confronted Audi and they say it is NORMAL for a car to burn up to 1 qt. every 1000 MILES. This would be 9 quarts of oil between oil changes. My 1997 Explorer with 185K miles didnt go through oil like this.

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  Get extended warranty - 2005 Audi A4
  By Wazzujon - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Its fun to drive, kinda slow for you speed freaks. Theres a blind spot when the top is up. Also had to replace my tranny at 51,500 miles. YES 1500 miles past warranty expiration. They paid for half. I think they should have paid for all. Now I am finding out they do not hold their value AT ALL! Very expensive car to drive. WONT EVER BUY AN AUDI AGAIN! The Navi UI stinks and is very confusing.

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  Looks Can Be Deceiving - 2009 Audi A4
  By Joey - October 8 - 2:00 am

  I love everything about the car. It runs great, the Prestige package has everything anyone could want at a great price, and the cars styling is superb. The only down side to the car is that it burns 5 quarts of oil between oil changes, as was confirmed by a recent oil consumption test at the dealership. This is kind of an annoyance for a vehicle that stickers for over $40,000 new.

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  Squeaking brakes & Bad Audi Srvice - 2009 Audi Q7
  By SCmom - August 11 - 11:56 am

  I bought Q7 July 2009. Brought it back to dealer immediately for squeaking brakes, not just regular squeak but the kind that people outside look over at your car-was told its normal due to heavy vehicle, could be humidity. I have AudiCare & have repeatedly asked brakes to be inspected at ea visit. was told to spray a hose directly at brakes to reduce squeak. brought it back in around 25k miles - Service Dept told me to get on open road, drive as fast as i could without taking out a kid (yes, its what they said) and brake quickly a few times. Really?! I just want to feel like Audi stands by their product. I thought Id feel happy that we worked hard to buy this car. I feel "duped" by Audi.

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  What Should I Do? - 2000 Audi A6
  By GodBlessAudi - July 8 - 12:56 pm

  99,000 miles, no hard driving or accident, decently maintained. Here are quote for repairing items from local dealer "Biener Audi" today. $580.- Front break pads and rotors $560.- Rear break pads and rotors $165. Coolant tank reservoir $800. Radiator $1100. Exhaust complete $1100. Both front lower control/wishbone suspension arms $192.- An hour & a half diagnosis $1600. Timing belt w/all rollers & water pump thermostat $400. Mirror (rusted because water sipping in) $800.- LED dashboard Total: $7,297. What should I do?

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  Do not buy a used Audi. It will not last - 2006 Audi A4
  By jojo - June 24 - 6:45 pm

  Garbage. 49,000 miles new engine needed, probably because of the turbo. Later fuel pressure problems, check engine lights on. If you need a used car, do not buy it. Buy Japanese.

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  Never again Audi, Never again Paul Miler - 2007 Audi A4
  By Marbar68 - June 15 - 7:57 pm

  I have owned many cars in my life. the experience of driving this car was great for about the first two weeks. Then the car slowly but steadily started to break down. Taking it to my servicer was useless because it always seemed to be my fault or wear and tear. The tires failed, the oil leaked, the coils have been replaced countless times because the head gasket is apparently bad. To top it all off the clutch went because audi sub out to an Asian company so they could get it cheaper. It was all plastic. The car was made very cheap and for some reason the transmission and engine were two different times between 2006, 2007, 2008. coincidence i think not.