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 the whole package--sort of. - 2000 Audi A4
  By lunsofsteel - April 30 - 2:00 am

  No other car combines great AWD, excellent gas mileage, fair price, and good looks (Subaru gets 3 of 4!). Great winter car. Reliablity is good-- its never broken down, although it has had more than a few OOW repairs. Should a cam seal leak at 70k miles? Only real minus is very small back seat--if youre over 55" forget it.

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  MY 2013 w/110,xxx Mile Review - 2013 Audi S4
  By Charles - April 27 - 5:01 pm

  This is my 1st Audi and unfortunately my last, not because my experience with my s4 was poor but because Audi s4s will no longer be offered with a manual transmission. I am very impressed with my s4, thus far 1 unscheduled visit to the dealer to repair a leaking water pump (covered under warranty @46k miles). I now have over 110k miles. I went with a "Stage 1" software upgrade from Revo when the car hit 50k miles....best bang for the buck upgrade Ive ever done. 333hp in stock form to 410hp and torque from 325 ft/lbs to 390 ft/lbs, not only did I get a lot more torque (which is noticeable when overtaking) but my mpg improved as well! No other issues to report. I am due to replace my OE clutch. The ride is stiffer than in the past, I think the shocks are on their way out. The interior has worn well, no tears on the seats and minimal stretch marks on the leather seats. The navigation is a tad on the slow side (as others have mentioned). The car is heavy though and I can definitely feel the heft when I track it. Because of its heft, the brakes get worked thoroughly....on the street, you wont notice any brake fade (just on the track). Tire wear is even, perhaps due to the AWD system, you really dont need performance tires. The s4 has impressive lateral grip. Fuel economy has dramatically improved from 23.1mpg when new to now Im consistently getting almost 27mpg (mostly highway driving). In the 110k history with my s4, Im on my 4th set of tires (OE Continentals & 3 sets of Pilot Sports), on my 3rd pair of brakes (front), 2nd pair brakes (rear), and 1 headlight bulb replaced (right). Everything else, just fluid changes. Hope this helps any future owners......

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  ok - 2003 Audi A6
  By dmrose - April 25 - 2:00 am

  traded a 528 for an a6cvt 2003cvt a6 better: price, acceleration, radio, trunk and rear seat room, value 2000 528 better: brakes, steering, ride stability, wind noise If it wasnt for that damn audi transmission (Hesitation and banging) it would be better. Otherwise pick the features you like best

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  Beware of the Audi Certified Used Car - 1999 Audi A4
  By IMissMyBeetle! - April 24 - 2:00 am

  I purchsed the Audi Avant as a replacement for my VW New Beetle. At the time, I felt comfortable purchasing a pre-owned car because the dealership had reconditioned it, and it was covered under the Audi Assured Warranty. After about 6 months, the Certification was worth the paper it was written on. The car has had numberous problems, not to mention it was sold to me with body damage. Audi needs to do better, I wouldnt recommend the Audi Assured program to anyone.

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  A good alternative to an SUV - 2001 Audi S4
  By APB_S4 - April 23 - 2:00 am

  I own an 4-Runner and a 00 Boxster, but I need another car (Since Boxsters lease is ending shortly, and my mother wants to use the 4-Runner, plus, I am getting marry soon.) I pick the S4 because: 1) Fast, with a Chipped ECU it can get you over 300 hp and 350 tq/ft 2) 4WD, no need to worry about weather 3) Rich in features: comes with Bose stereo system, heated and 8-way power seat, glass sun roof, all dim mirrors, roof bike rack, ESP, etc. 4) Space is about the same compare to BMW and a bit better then IS300 in terms of cabin and rear trunk space. Compares with 325i Wagon or IS300 Wagon, I think this is a better buy ($$ vs features, comfort and power).

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  Great Sedan! - 2002 Audi A4
  By Audi4me - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Compared to the Mercedes C240, Volvo S60, and the BMW 325i, the Audi A4 wins hands down in value-per-dollar. Superb handling and style, and perhaps the best automatic transmission ever made (CVT), the Audi A4 is a technological marvel. This is an outstanding vehicle!

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  very good, not great - 2004 Audi A8
  By ms goldklang - April 12 - 2:00 am

  handles beautifully, but with a couple of minor annoyances---shifting from first to second can be a bit jerky on occasion, and speedometer consistently overregisters by a little over 5 % (odometer also overregisters, by 1--2%).

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  Some Good..Some Not So Good - 2004 Audi A8
  By Leos team - April 9 - 2:00 am

  I drove everything in the class Q45, Very solid feel to the car. Have not had the need to truly work out the Quattro but it is nice to know it is 745,S500,LS430,XJR and the A8L won out with combination of performance, looks, roominess and value for the dollar. The 4 year maintenance included helped make the decision as well. My vehicle was ordered with convenience, cold weather, parktronic (a must)and 19" wheels. Much has been made of the harsh ride with the 19" wheels. I have not experienced a problem. Given their excellent look, I can deal with any minor lack of ride comfort.

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  Stonking engine - 2004 Audi S4
  By Chippy - April 7 - 2:00 am

  I have been totally delighted with my S4. Its supremely well built, handles superbly and is great fun to drive - especially on quieter roads where you can race through the gears. But be warned, this is not just a fast German limo its a serious handling lump and the drive can be quite "involving". That could mean tiring to some. The suspension is *firm* and on poor roads at speed, you will be thrown around a bit. Taming the vast amount of torque through the manual gearbox takes some practice too - smooth changes are not to be taken for granted! But overall, a fabulous car

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  Audi 2.8 Quattro - 1998 Audi A4
  By Michelle8 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I love the car, but fixing even little things can be very expensive!