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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  Still love it after 6 yrs & $$ to keepup - 1998 Audi A6
  By Rick Parker - October 20 - 2:00 am

  Ive admired Audi vehicles since the 80s and fell in love with the 98 A6 styling, particularily the interior. I felt secure with the 4 yr 60k warranty but was still disappointed in the numerous trips back to the dealer for electrical (info panel on instrument display, window lift motors), interior hardware, and engine issues (fuel injectors, washer reservoir leaks, oil leak - valve cover and main engine seal). I also had to replace the front bumper cover (Audi reinbursed) due to it continuously catching on curbs. But the last two years have been relatively trouble free and it still is a joy to drive and my 15 year old sons friend think its really cool. I do too!

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  My Audi experience - 2001 Audi A4
  By AntonioB - October 20 - 2:00 am

  Overall, I cannot recommend this car. There are too many good vehicles out there to settle for this. Even though it drove well and we felt very safe on it, reliability has been poor, dealership service has been so-so, and attitude at Audi of NA has been bad. Also, the car seemed to have no resale value. We traded it in before warranty expired and are now driving a Honda. We went through the coil recall, and it took 3 trips to the dealership (and 3 times almost stranded on the road) to fix. Audi refused to change remaining coils even though they knew they were defective: they said warranty only covers parts when they fail -they lost me as a client right there. We also had the clutch fail.

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  Lease ONLY-Major Problems - 2000 Audi A4
  By amr3636 - October 17 - 2:00 am

  When I was car shopping I thought I was buying a high end car. As nice as it looks, dont be persuaded by that. I have had my car for a little over a year and I have had nothing by problems. I had to have the brakes redone right after buying it, 3 seals have broke, the fuel pump needed to be replaced, the air sensor thing is not working. My check engine light has been on 4 times in 12 months and now the blinkers do not work. And, I have replaced about the headlights 4 times. Repairs are overpriced and its hard to locate a dealer. Looks are definitely deceiving on the A4.

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  Audi just misses... - 2004 Audi A8
  By lyleseven - October 17 - 2:00 am

  This is a great care to look at and it can be fun to drive. Unfortunately, Audi never got the transmission down. If you dont mind an unpleasant surge as you commence to accelerate from a stop, you will be happy. It drives me nuts. Also, dont buy the 19" wheel version as the ride quality tradeoff is drastic. Audi advertises as the "Intelligent car" but the nav system is difficult to operate and that pop up screen to control the radio sucks.

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  id buy one again - 2000 Audi TT
  By Mike_Hodgskin - October 14 - 2:00 am

  The Audi TT 225hp quattro is a dream car.

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  Awesome, But. . . . . - 2001 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Pedrop - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I love this car more than any others I have ever owned. But the quality leaves a little to be desired. At 5k miles, the power steering pump blew up. At 10k miles the waterpump cracked. Battery kicked out at 12k miles. At 30k miles the air suspension developed a leak - one the dealer kept insisting they could not replicate. All items were eventually taken care of professionally by Audi. But you have to wonder about a car that listed at close to $50k new.

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  Very nice, but could use more oomph - 2004 Audi A4
  By blicero - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I find the 1.8t A4 quattro to be a very comfortable and fun car to drive. While not a complete dog, the 1.8 liter four is a little underpowered for this cars weight. The six-speed shifts nicely and helps keep things more lively, but there is no substitute for more grunt. The interior finish is impeccable, the controls work well, and the quattro system helps in the corners. I am concerned about the long- term reliability. My car has just over 1000 miles and is rattling in the back ... I hope it will not be problematic.

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  Great car to own, though has some quirks - 2001 Audi TT
  By Howardsg - October 3 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned several Audis, and come to believe that design is more important than quality from this manufacturer. Dont get me wrong, this car is more fun to drive than any I have ever owned. However, it rattles a bit and could have used more time getting all the kinks out before production. Audi does not admit they made a mistake, just that their cars have "certain characteristics".

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  Fun Until...... - 1998 Audi A6
  By NOMOREAUDI - September 28 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, like all Audis. Great for the driver, better for the mechanic! Engine started leaking oil at 30K Miles. Check engine light went on at 45K miles because of a recall related item. ABS went out at 70K miles. The electrical system blows bulbs all the time. Spotty build quality + German mechanics = no money left at the end of the day.

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  Unsung Hero - 1998 Audi A4
  By Couldnt Afford A S4 - September 28 - 2:00 am

  Bought used 1.5yrs ago with lowish mileage. Been a good car with only one failure that warranty covered. Love the ergonomics, build quality, high quality materials throughout and advanced engine and drivetain design (AWD). Car is a great do everything vehicle, with reasonable performance (0-60 in 7.1 seconds)