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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  My 2002 4.2 - 2002 Audi A6
  By John Hill - February 28 - 2:00 am

  Previously owned 2000 2.7 T. Crashed it into a tree and bought the 2002 4.2 new at the begi9nning of 2003. Smooth power, excellent handling. Interior first class. Tiptronic on steering wheel is nice little gimmick.MPG seems to be about 18.0, but wife driving mostly in town. In a word, the car is solid, solid, solid.

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  love it - 2001 Audi A4
  By Brian12345 - February 28 - 2:00 am

  The car has been very reliable, and I have had no major problems. It handles great it is fun to drive on twisty roads, and is good in snow as well. Power is very good considering actual displacement of engine, but it isnt as torquey as say a Volkswagen VR6 or a BMW inline 6. Mileage is good -- I get 28 mpg on the highway going 80 mph. Very nice looking inside and out.

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  Know what youre buying - 2002 Audi TT
  By colodriver - February 28 - 2:00 am

  Purchased a 225 ALMS edition in Sept 02. Pros: fast, great design, ALMS red and 18" wheels, TT look is a head turner Gearbox is smooth Trunk storage adequate in back for golf clubs or Costco runs Complaints: significant turbo lag in 1st gear (much more than the 180hp), some rattles at 3K miles (!!). Annoying support frame (for center console) makes it a little uncomfortable for tall drivers.The TT is a gocart - fast and nimble and a pleasure to drive. Great handling at high speeds on mountain roads. After 6 months no problems. TT puts it all into one package - nimble, fast, fun and a head turner to boot.

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  Beautiful, with a few hiccups - 2002 Audi A4
  By WA Avant - February 28 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car for my wife, who LOVES it. I love the styling, superb interior quality, versatility of the wagon. Problems include the well-known coilpack failure which completely disabled the car requiring flatbed towing to the dealership after 7,000 miles. Not what I would expect in a car of this caliber. Now we are hesitant to take this practically brand new car on extended road trips because we are worried about breaking down. Because of short supply, the dealership will not replace all of the coilpacks under warranty, only if they fail (and leave you stranded!) Rims have been a headache (see Suggested Improvements, below)

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  Audi Avant A-6 - 2003 Audi A6
  By H Friedman - February 27 - 2:00 am

  The seats are extremely comfortable. The quatro is great in snow. The controls are logical.

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  Great Car - 1996 Audi A6
  By 1Car - February 25 - 2:00 am

  This car is a lot of fun to drive. Its very roomy, and it has everything anyone would need in a car. There are only a few things I dont like about it, but overall, it is a very nice car.

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  great car for a mechanic - 1993 Audi S4
  By car_nut - February 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought my S4 based on performance and longevity. What I didnt realize is the cost of operation. I saw these cars hitting 300k miles, many of them modified for extra horsepower. Well, I had many problems and could tell more were about to surface. For a car that had a sticker of nearly $50k you would think it would be bullet proof reliable. The drivetrain and quattro systems are incredible and a blast to drive in snow and push through turns on dry pavement. The problem is with all the other systems and components. This car never went 10k miles without some kind of repair or adjustment needed even when new.

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  solid classy car - 1994 Audi 90
  By Bob D - February 21 - 2:00 am

  The 90S is a truly outstanding car for the price. The front wheel drive, even without the legendary quatro, gets me through the lake-effect snowy winters of Northern Indiana while the Benz and BMW drivers spin their wheels. The ride is firm and comfortable even on long trips. Only 3 negatives: Slowww acceleration at 30-60 MPH Very expensive repairs and no real cup holders!

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  Squealing Brakes "Normal"?? NO WAY !! - 2003 Audi A6
  By 5speed6 - February 21 - 2:00 am

  At 5,000 miles the brakes started squealing BADLY when stopping.Selling dealer inspected and sanded pads & rotors.30 miles later, squealing returned. Spoke to Audi of America, sent me to another dealer for opinion. 2nd dealer said there is nothing more they can do as Audi will NOT pay for replacing un-worn pads.They said this is NORMAL. So for 50 Grand, I squeal down the road and hate the car!!

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  The 740is & S430s serious alternative - 2003 Audi A8
  By faciem - February 20 - 2:00 am

  The A8 has provided me thus far with remarkable agility and comfort for a high class sedan. It has given me a unique alternative to its brethren at Mercedes Benz and BMW, a package that offers indivudual styling, the confidence of quattro, and a very stylish and yet conservative-minded atmosphere in the cabin.