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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  You wont be disappointed - 2010 Audi S5
  By Mac - October 8 - 9:55 am

  My first Audi and this car is awesome! The S5 is worth the extra $. Great sound, performance, style and handling. Ive only had for 1 month so far, but all is good. The "new" navi system & tech pkg is nice and my two kids are fine with back seat area (rare for a coupe). The only option I ordered was the "Prestige Pkg". Im not a track guy but I do enjoy performance driving. Ive heard good things about Spt Diff, Drv Select, and Drv Asst pkgs as well. This is my 1st Tiptronic (all previous cars were 6sp) and I like the "sport option" shift mode as well as the "paddle shifting". Im through the break in period and the car is a delight to drive. Its my daily driver, no regrets.

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  Best in Class - 2002 Audi A4
  By gt3316 - October 8 - 2:00 am

  I drove all other vehicles in this class and the Audi was the best overall. The exterior design of the BMW is very sporty, and has a slight edge over the Audi w/o the sport package, but I think with the 17" rims, lowered body, stiffer suspension of the sport model beats out the BMW. The cornering is best in its class with the AWD. The sound system is also best in class. The interior is ergonomically perfect. To top it all off is the 48 month warranty on ALL maintanence. Best buy in my opinion.

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  Wedding has been consumated. - 2002 Audi A4
  By Crusader - October 8 - 2:00 am

  I looked at lots of makes before buying this car. This included the Infinity I35 and the Volvo S60. I left early one Saturday morning with the intent to buy an Infinity. But before I committed,..I want to test drive that sporty A4 that I had looked at a few weeks earlier. That evening I drove home an A4. One test drive and the marriage was consumated. I love this car and everything about it. Three months later and Im still having fun driving. Ill say it again. I love this car. But beware at 62" there is not much leg room in the back-seat when Im driving. And the center console is a little intrusive for a long legged driver. But I do love my car.

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  Ultimate Audi - 2000 Audi A4
  By Ultimate Avant - October 7 - 11:43 pm

  This is by far the greatest car Ive owned. You cant beat this Quattro in the snow. Just awesome. Vehicle is built like a tank. Go from Hondas all your life to an Audi, its night and day. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful...

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  Love my Tdi - 2009 Audi Q7
  By wabisabi - October 7 - 1:48 pm

  I have owned this fine vehicle for about 8,000 miles and I absolutely love it. Aside from everything a luxury vehicle provides, this thing is quite frugal. On long highway trips, I commonly see 27 to 29 mpg. Driving from my home in Minneapolis to downtown St. Paul, I see MPG readings from 24 to 29 depending on how heavy traffic is. Although the HP is lower than the V6 gas or the V8 gas engines, the torque is quite substantial and I have never felt that the vehicle was underpowered in any way. Towing a 23’ fishing boat around really exemplifies the advantage of large torque numbers. The Q7 has a super quiet interior, very comfortable. If you are looking at the Q7, get the Tdi.

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  Transmission default - 2009 Audi Q5
  By alex - October 6 - 9:32 pm

  Although a very good looking car and fun to drive at high speeds, this car transmission technology is still too new and Audi has not full control over it, I have a default transmission, and am not the only one, they have no right answers as how to fix it, they first exchange the mechatronics which has nothing to do with the jerking of the transmission in the lower gears, and after trying different things and not being able to repair the car their best solution is to replace the entire transmission in a vehicle that has less than 2800 miles. That to me as a customer is unacceptable.

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  If I could marry this car, I would! - 2005 Audi S4
  By SSG_Wells - October 6 - 12:24 pm

  I bought this car when I was home on R&R leave from Afghanistan back in February. I had been researching the A4 for about 7 months and had every intention of buying that once I got to the dealership. As the Carmax dealer was walking me to the A4s I saw my knight in shining armor out of the corner of my eye. The girl opened the drivers side door and I was sold. I didnt even test drive the thing, and it was a manual so I had to teach myself, but trust me it was WELL worth it. I took a look at the A4s once I was done drooling over my soon-to-be new car and there was absolutely no comparison the A4 looked like a grandma car compared to what I was about to roll home in!

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  Great, reliable vehicle - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Tigerfish - October 5 - 12:53 pm

  Ive owned the car for 3 years and am living in central Idaho. We received 300+ inches of snowfall this year and have dirt roads to contend with in the summer. Aside from a couple of minor oversights, like front seat cup holder placements and a split rear seat that only folds one way, this wagon is arguably the best on the road. Coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox and it delivers excitement at every shift.

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  Wish I had my 01 S4 back - 2004 Audi S4
  By Andrew - October 4 - 11:43 am

  I so wanted to love this car after enjoying my 01 SO MUCH but although its fast and fun, the mpg is pathetic (my 01 averaged 18-22 but I got 33-36 on cruises in the Rockies) and electrical gremlins are numerous. Strut replacement at $2000 is obscene and why water dribbles out of the side panels days after a wash is pathetic. The Alcantara wears very badly.

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  Best of the Lot - 2010 Audi S5
  By Bill Boswell - October 3 - 10:12 pm

  This is my 4th Audi. First 3 were A6s & the last two were 4.2L S-Line. Each Audi Ive owned was better than the last one and this is no exception. This is a stunning, head-turning vehicle, inside and out. Mine is Canyon Red, no longer standard and special ordered, but, as I love the color, worth every extra penny. It has driver assist, which also alerts one about cars in the blind spot, sports differential, and drive select highly recommend all 3 and the latter 2 enhance performance. Loads of fun, responsive as all get out, and very comfortable even on 6 hr trips. Gas drinker, mainly due to a smaller tank but I get 27 on the road. I tried BMW M3 & 6-Series Coupe. This is nicer.