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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  So Much Money, So Little Value - 2007 Audi Q7
  By q7blues - December 12 - 5:14 pm

  I bought this German beast new and with the lease up in a couple months Im looking forward to it going back. This vehicle looks amazing and thats where the love story ends. Brakes squeal...yes, theyve been replaced...its just embarrassing. Tires cup easily-3rd set, apparently, its the engineering of the AWD. MMI issues...was in the shop 12 times before it was fixed for good. Engine sensors shot & fixed. Instrument cluster currently needs to be replaced. Thermostat went. Lurches from 1st to 2nd-explained as a safety feature. Faulty back-up sensor. Poorly attached molding. My car was in the shop for a week and after haggling for a rental, I got a ford focus---my lease $1448???

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  This car has it all over the RX - 2010 Audi Q5
  By Peter - December 11 - 9:04 pm

  This car has it all over the RX. It has better electronic gadgetry, handling, design and is a blast to drive. The seamless bluetooth integration with my IPhone was totally painless and automatically took all my contacts without even prompting me. The voice recognition is excellent and I can call people without taking my eyes off the road as well as enter a destination. The quattro drive system is awesome and the LED daytime running lights are very cool. The seats are very comfortable and lumbar support is fabulous. Great job Audi.

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  Incredible at 14 years old! - 1995 Audi S6
  By MNS6 - December 11 - 3:00 pm

  At 14 years old and 86,000 miles young, my newly purchased S6 still feels and looks new. The engineering and fit and finish of materials are all top notch. Parts are still readily available for this car. Additionally, there is a vast amount of online knowledge from owners and fans of these original S4 and S6 cars. This car is truly a divers car. It only comes in a manual transmission and the 5 cylinder inline turbo engine is smile-inducing. Hit the gas, listen to the turbo spool and say hello to 80mph at the top of 3rd gear. The S6 effortlessly pours on speed while feeling planted and composed. Every time I drive my S6 it puts a smile on my face. This car is exceptional!

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  Winter Use Only - 1999 Audi A6
  By WinterUse - December 11 - 1:40 pm

  High maintenance vehicle that is a great winter car, unfortunately the consistent repair issues take away from an otherwise great vehicle. Wife uses car in the winter during snow season and works great for that but the reliability issues do take away from the car. With only 114k miles on it these types of issues should not happen.

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  Great Car - 1993 Audi 90
  By Excelent Car - December 10 - 1:23 pm

  After I wrecked my old truck I bought my Audi 90s. It was lowered with specialty tires and sport suspension. I love this car. It does great in the snow and I live in a place were it snows a lot. The only problem I have had with it is a small coolant leak. This car is extremely fun to drive and is reliable.

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  Best Audi Yet - 2008 Audi A6
  By DocWoods - December 9 - 5:09 pm

  This is my fourth Audi, second A6. Best of them all! The power is great, smooth ride, unbeatable interior quality/design. I know that there are cars that are quicker, better handling, flashier, more powerful, etc, but no other car, taken as a package, does it all better than this A6. Cant beat quattro in the snow and rain. After 17K miles: NO PROBLEMS AT ALL, just changing the oil every 5K (not the factory recommended 10K).

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  Fun & Then Some - 2008 Audi A4
  By Mia - December 9 - 11:21 am

  I bought this car used a few months ago and have loved it since I got into it. Overall the performance is good and the turbo is great compared to many I have driven in the past - very smooth. Fuel economy is good if you lay off the accelerator, you can easily get 35-40mpg with good driving and 20-25mpg being more aggressive. Also, the car is for lack of a better word spunky. The styling will get you looks and the car loves a winding road. Hitting the accelerator on a hard curve is pure joy. Overall great car with a solid foundation.

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  A lot of fun - 2010 Audi S4
  By KGS - December 9 - 6:46 am

  Originally had wanted the A5. Drove the S4 after the A5 and absolutely loved it. The power is always available, immediately! The car is extremely well refined and quiet but can be a beast when necessary. Mileage is great. I love driving this car... every day. Test drive it!!

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  Love my wagon - 2003 Audi A4
  By bananadan - December 9 - 2:00 am

  My BMW X5 had constant niggling breakdowns. The A4: otally reliable. Fantastic acceleration. The car will go as fast as you can stand to drive it, in any weather, although with a little less grace (but more traction) than my ex-328i BMW. Wonderful and highly adjustable seats. Not roomy in back, but great for post-kids. Very well built (no defects, and I havent seen my dealership since purchase!) Gas mileage, which was mediocre at first, has improved over 7K miles to what Audi says on sticker. Climate control needs to be futzed with to stay comfortable in changing outside conditions. Awesome brakes! Overall experience: fantastic with just very minor quibbles.

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  A5 Something to Look at - 2010 Audi A5
  By Nicholas H. - December 7 - 7:18 pm

  I have owned my A5 for approximately 1.5 months. By far, the best car I have ever owned. It seems like everyone has a BMW 3-series or Benz, but there simply are not that many A5s on the road which makes the purchase a little more meaningful. The car is very muscular looking and low to the ground. Even the view from the back is exciting. Cant wait to see how the Quattro handles the Ohio winters. The interior oozes class, get the wood inlays, if you can, as they are quite a sight to behold, much like the car as a whole.