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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  Want a sports car? Go buy a greyhound. - 2002 Audi TT
  By TTer - November 25 - 2:33 pm

  TT coupe is without a doubt the best car I have owned. Beware, this is not a sports car. The engine lacks power and needs a re-map for true performance, and the handling in corners while better than most typical US cars and SUVs is terrible in standard trim with excessive understeer and roll. Having said that it is fast enough to eat most other traffic for breakfast and great fun on rural roads - especially if there are no proper corners. Fuel economy is pretty special considering the performance and the design is iconic and fast becoming a classic. If you can live with the unreliability and couldnt care less customer service from Audi, you should buy one.

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  Incredible Vehicle - 2010 Audi A5
  By TXjohn - November 25 - 11:27 am

  The A5 design is outstanding and draws a lot of attention. Have had several people roll down their windows at a light and ask me about it. The 2.0T engine provides all the power needed and gets exceptional gas mileage... Im getting approximately 27 mpg on highway at more than highway speeds. Comfort: I have the sport package and the extra thigh support is outstanding. Highly recommend it. Plug the IPOD into the Bang and Olufsen system--it rocks. With this car in short supply by dealers.. Audi has a winner. And it just keeps getting better with this manufacturer. BMW and MB-- move over... Audi is HERE.

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  Hands Down Winner - 2010 Audi A4
  By Audi4Me - November 24 - 9:36 pm

  Lease was ending on a 2007 A4, and looked at the BMW 328, Mercedes 350C, and G37 as well as the 2010 A4 This car had the best balance of performance / luxury relative to price of anything I looked at (I have the Premium Plus and Sport Package). Dont be put off by the 4 cyl turbo - driven in "S" mode the car has as much, if not more, acceleration as the others and is a blast to drive. Im looking forward to three great years with this one!

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  Classic - 2003 Audi TT
  By Thom - November 24 - 12:22 pm

  As an Audi Collector I believe this one will be an Audi Classic in due time. Ive owned this one for 6 yrs and the only probs have been the electronics (windows, etc.). It is still as tight as the day bought and the 1.8 engine is a miniature work-horse. Its a solid machine that will be kept for ages.

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  A6 2.7T - 2002 Audi A6
  By Jarob - November 24 - 4:30 am

  This is one sexy automobile. I originally bought it for the safety but the performance and fun to drive features are definitly there. I took a long time to decide which car to buy and I dont think anything in this category comes close. The AWD is amazing with the car always firmly planted on the ground. Winters in the Northeast are tough but this car gives you peace of mind in any conditions. A+++++++

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  This Was A Good Decision - 2010 Audi Q5
  By Botts - November 23 - 7:50 pm

  Just picked up my Q5. This is the first luxury SUV that Ive owned. The last time I experienced quality like this was when I owned a Jaguar. The ride is terrific. Its solid, responsive and absolutely a ton of fun to drive. Audi has combined looks, performance and fun in their 2010 Q5! Ive started reading the owners manual to get up to speed. There is a lot to this car and it will take awhile to understand all the bells and whistles but its worth it. I bought a Meteor Gray (great color) Premium Plus and added 19" wheels and the B&O stereo. Im looking forward to driving this vehicle for a long time. Test drive one of these and youll see that Audi has it all over Mercedes, BMW & Lexus.

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  Magnificent suspension - 2009 Audi A4
  By Craig Euritt - November 23 - 7:08 pm

  The suspension on this car is magnificent! It handles curves like a slingshot, by far my favorite car so far.

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  Handling is beautiful - 2010 Audi S5
  By jeffy - November 22 - 7:33 pm

  I just got my S5in nov and what a purchase. The roar of the engine is awesome, the car loves to be driven fast, I have to keep a close eye on the speedometer, or before you know youre doing 100 no problem. The drive and handling is beautiful except that silly sunroof, Ill live though, I dont recommend this car because I dont want to see too many on the road. Just kidding get one.

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  Super sporty for a truck - 2016 Audi SQ5
  By German Affactianado - November 22 - 4:52 pm

  Legacy of many sports cars here with a small collection, but first sport SUV. Traded a 2013 335i sport line which was an amazing car. Acceleration is less in SQ5 than the Bimmer, but everything else is extremely comparable. Handling tightly the curvy NC mountain roads, crushing light to light performance on the straight roads of Florida, limo like feel for the date nights with my wife, and of course Quattro safety. Cannot say enough great things. My wife is a hard sell on my sports car addiction, but this car is now her daily driver passing by our corvettes, BMW M4, and others including a Hummer that she calls "too slow" (and it is). Accolades to Audi. We keep coming back, and have had A6 4.2, S4 Cabrio, but this is our best Audi yet.

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  What a great car! - 2009 Audi R8
  By GRR8 R8 - November 22 - 8:45 am

  The Audi R8 is the best car I have ever owned. Its styling turns heads at every intersection. Its performance puts it in the Supercar category. Audi treats its R8 customers like royalty. It is a car that has luxurious interior. The fit and finish is impeccable. It is a wonderful daily driver and it can go from the street to the track with no changes needed. The R-Tronic transmission in auto mode is terrible. The R-Tronic transmission in manual mode using the paddle shifters is the best transmission I have ever driven. As a daily driver it gets ~19 mpg. On the track...it does not matter. Nothing passed it on my one track day. This is a car to own.