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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  I LOVE My Audi!!!! - 2010 Audi Q5
  By Ginette - November 8 - 5:48 pm

  My husband and I sold our 15 year old BMW 530 and bought this wonderful vehicle. I drive it most days and just love it. Its not too high, so I dont feel like I have to step up to get in to it. Its so fun to drive, Im getting in to work early because I cant wait to drive it. I cant find anything about it I would change. The mileage is great! Where has this vehicle been all these years! Im sold! Im quite sure Ill never drive anything else.

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  Wow, very impressed - 2009 Audi A6
  By El Bucko - November 8 - 2:32 pm

  I was not ready for a new vehicle, however given the fact that my 2004 Jaguar XJ8 with low mileage had slowly become the money pit, I decided to check out an Audi while my Jag was being serviced. WOW is really the only word to describe the vehicle. From an aesthetics point of view, the interior is amazing. My car has black / amaretto interior, everyone loves it. The MMI is easy enough to learn but I am still working on it. Performance is amazing. Really have to watch the speeds on the highway. Handling feels like the A6 is riding rails. Huge trunk with fold down seats is a plus.

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  Audi Q5 Performance-ride-quality - 2010 Audi Q5
  By AudiManRS4 - November 7 - 11:07 pm

  Ordered our Q5 Prestige Pkg Audi on 27 Jul and on 3 Nov it arrived. The Q5 was worth the wait! Get the S-line pkg. The 20 inch chrome wheels put the finishing touch on this black beauty. This is a great looking SUV with the best handling, ride, and appearance of all the mid-size SUVs (BMW/Lexus etc). Try the Q5 if youre tired of seeing yourself at every traffic-light and/or parking space. My wife loves the way it handles and rides and the engine has enough power to satisfy her driving habits. Ive owned other Audis making us qualified for a $1K loyalty discount. It has a first class dynamic 505 watt sound system. The Q5s Quattro suspension system is like nothing you have ever driven.

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  Questioning the Audi Quality - 2009 Audi A4
  By oliver - November 7 - 9:54 pm

  I just took home a new 2009 Audi A4 quattro 4 dr sedan Premium plus today and just before we got home the car seemed to choke as I stepped on the accelerator. It was also showing a blinking check engine light on the dash board. It comes and goes but to think that you just got it out from the dealer and now you have to bring it back to have it checked for problems. We should have bought a more reliable car like a Honda or Toyota. It may not be as luxurious as an Audi but it sure is more cheap and RELIABLE.

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  2006 3.2 Quattro AT - 2006 Audi A4
  By macpora - November 7 - 7:00 am

  Excellent vehicle. I drove it from LA to Colorado Springs averaging 28MPG, fast. Yes, lacking in low end torque but no shortage of passing power. Dream to drive through the canyons of Utah and Colorado. Handles very well in icy conditions.

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  Love this thing - 2010 Audi A4
  By coaudi2 - November 6 - 2:43 pm

  Ive owned this car for a few weeks now and am pleasantly surprised. I sold a 07 Lexus IS250 to get my new A4 and was hesitant about the price upgrade to the premium plus package, but it has been well worth the money. The 2010 Audi A4 is hands down the best car Ive ever owned. The ride is exceptionally smooth and the pick-up is outstanding. I get constant compliments on my A4 (mostly from the LED running lights) and I continually catch other drivers staring as I drive by. Although it feels much bigger than previous A4 models, the car handles with ease, gets great gas mileage, and is fun to drive. I shopped MB, BMW, and Infiniti and this was definitely the right choice.

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  Still not a Smooth Ride - 2009 Audi A4
  By Pascal - November 5 - 7:54 pm

  I have had my 2009 Audi for about 6 months now. Bought it slightly used with 12k, now has 20k. Love the looks, love the power, and love the quattro. But as hard as I try and as many times as I take it to the dealership, it still vibrates at speeds 75-85 MPH, as if the tires arent quite balanced right. I spend a lot of time on the road and this drives me crazy! Also, Ive developed several rattles in the speakers and other parts of the car. I had a 1996 Audi in the past that I would say I was much happier with than this car. Probably wont end up keeping it very long.

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  2008 Audi A4 2.0T Avant - 2008 Audi A4
  By T Farrand - November 5 - 11:28 am

  I drove this A4 Avant for 18 months and could not wait for the day to finally unload this car. The car was in the repair shop 6 times in 18 months - all for engine issues - fuel sensor, oxygen sensor in turbo, and finally an oil leak. The dealership was courteous and professional each time I had the car in, but the problems kept popping up. When the car was functioning properly, I enjoyed driving it. My main complaint was the automatic transmission - the Drive transmission setting shifted painfully slowly and enhanced the awful turbo lag. The Sport transmission setting was better, but it had to be shifted manually with the paddles into 6th gear when traveling < 80 mph. In 20 years of driving Honda and Toyota products, I made 3 trips in total for non-routine maintenance. 6 trips in 18 months for the Audi A4 is unacceptable and I will not buy another Audi.

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  Twin Turbo bliss - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By quattro-fan - November 5 - 10:00 am

  My third Audi, this car is wonderful. Interior appointments are second to none. Seats are comfortable for long drives. Bose sound system is top notch. The car is quick and handles well for a big vehicle. Cargo space is excellent.

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  Little Audi Red Convertible - 2016 Audi S5
  By Ras Smith - November 4 - 6:44 pm