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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  Great Car! - 2008 Audi A3
  By Bzk - July 15 - 9:03 pm

  After owning several Audi vehicles, I can say that im a big Audi fan. So, when it was time to change my car again, I took to my local Audi dealer for my base model A3 with DSG. This car is great and I saved a good amount of money by not choosing many costly options. Im pretty much happy with all standart equipment such as dual A/C, great stereo, excelent transmission, well designed and built interior and exterior. If you want a Audi vehicle, beware of costly options. This car can go well over $30k with a few check marks on the option list. Oh, did I mention how great the gas mileage is?

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  Top Shelf - 2008 Audi A8
  By Barry - July 14 - 5:24 pm

  After owning a MB S430, S600 and a 2007 S550, all of which had relability issues I decided a change was in order. I have had this car for only a few months and it gives one a rick solid feel as well as having the finest fit anf finish on any production car Ive ever seen. Also, taking into account the cost versus an MB S550 or a BMW 7 series, the Audis price is quite reasonable by comparision. If youre thinking about buying a MB or BMW, do yourself a very big favor and go test drive an Audi A8, youll really be gald you did, the only thing that comes close is perhaps a Bentley "Flying Spur", which shares many of the same features as the Audi A8, of course both companies are owned by VW.

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  Audi 2007 rocks - 2007 Audi A4
  By phosphateb - July 13 - 8:21 pm

  Had my Audi for a year now and very pleased. Car is governed for 135. Rides well and can get 36 mpg at 60 mph. Around town if you go 47 mph it is easy to get 32 mpg.

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  Amazing Car for the Money - 2006 Audi A3
  By Andy and Marcia - July 13 - 4:33 pm

  This car has been a very nice vehicle to own. It has been to Northern Michigan during the winter ( ESP worked very well )and the summer A/C worked very well . Average mileage winter/ summer is about 23 mpg city and about 28 / 29 highway. In the winter we have seen 32 mpg on a round trip to Atlanta and on a trip to North Carolina we saw about 28 . Very comfortable on a long trip. In town as an errand vehicle the car has been very handy. Parking is a breeze and even in summer with the AC running ( as in right now ) we get about 21 in town day to day stop and go. The warranty on the 2006 was handy with the sunshade and the AC needing repair as well as the oil change and service intervals.

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  Best Large Luxury Sedan in the World - 2006 Audi A8
  By KJ - July 12 - 10:01 am

  Chose the car for its room (Im 611) but have come to love its interior, handling/ride, quality, styling and power. The more I drive it, the more I love it. Would not trade it to drive a Maybach, large Bentley or Rolls. BMW 750IL doesnt even come close.

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  Love it - 2017 Audi Q7
  By Koshy Samuel - July 11 - 5:31 pm

  Love it

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  4 seater way ahead of its time! - 1994 Audi Cabriolet
  By mark dierking - July 11 - 1:12 am

  This vehicles only drawback is its limited leg room for me. Other than that, try cruising over the pass in winter with the heated seats, heater blasting and top down while the windscreen diverts that annoying covertible back breeze that would otherwise chll you to the bone. It is quiet enough to carry on a normal conversation too. All you need is a jacket, gloves and a ballcap. Pretty good mileage, 27mpg avg at 75mph to the Bay Area with the top down the whole way. Even in a light rain, it was OK just blowing over the top. A blast! It responds like a dream and has more than enough power, roadhandling and braking to satisfy the most discriminating.

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  Audi TT Roadster 08 - 2008 Audi TT
  By Sungwhan Cha - July 9 - 3:20 pm

  What can I say. Its summer time and I like to drive with my top off. I still need to get used to it since I only drove it for a week. Its a head turner for sure. I couldnt do that with my old car, so I am pretty happy with it. I have yet to test the S drive and the S tronic though, but the D drive has been exciting so far

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  Good car - 2002 Audi A4
  By jimwilson - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Its a good solid car. And the kind of car you will want if you dont want to be the kind of person who people say "Uh, he owns a BMW"

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  A4 Revisited - 2003 Audi A4
  By Tuna - July 9 - 2:00 am

  After nearly 5 years driving my first A4 (~90k miles), I added the 2003 A4 to the family garage. Both are Quattro, 1.8T with 5 speed manual and "sport" package. Im keeping the old one for commutes. My spouse gets the new on after I "break it in..." The 2003 is improved and refined from the 1998. It has an even more solid feel with extra power to boot. 5 years of improvements with pricing that changed very little! Its a blast - now if wed just have some more snow.