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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  1.8t - 2004 Audi A4
  By Joel - July 4 - 1:18 am

  I love my car, great price, great look. The only bad thing that have is the front bumper is too patch to the floor and in the street of Puerto Rico is a problem. But this car is great. The best car I ever have. Best than a Volvo C70, BMW 335, Mercedez CLK, Saab or Volkswagon.

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  From 97 A8 to 05 S4 - 2005 Audi S4
  By AndyCap - July 3 - 12:18 pm

  I just traded in my 97 A8 and never looked back. The A8 also had the 4.2 V8, but it a slug compared to this better aspirated version. A V8 as it is supposed to be. 340 HP mated to the road with precision and grace. The cabin is ergonomic and smart. Bucket seats are comforable for long distance, and keep you snug through the high speed curves. The controls all make sense and are exactly where they should be. The exterior design is stealth, a this car looks like an A4, but drives like the German sport car it is. Indeed a "Wolf in sheeps clothing" My wife even called it cute until she heard the rumble of the V8. This car sounds like a beast when it growls.

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  Love the Car - 2006 Audi A3
  By GregIrwin - July 2 - 2:38 pm

  Ive had the car for two years. Its a lot of fun to drive, and gets decent mileage (~27mpg). The interior is perfect for my needs, and the hatchback is highly functional. Theres been some wear and tear. A lost button, and a busted door handle. Given I paid $26k for the car, I consider it an outstanding value.

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  Wish I looked at Audi earlier - 2007 Audi A4
  By Mike - July 2 - 12:29 am

  Bought an 07 BMW 328i and got out of it 2 months later. I cant believe how cheap BMW has become and those run flat tires are pure junk. I never drove an Audi until a friend recommended and kept telling me to drive the A4. This thing is solid, tight and drives amazing! The Bose system is nice, but all the speaker and Bose amp are going and being replaced with much higher end speakers and keeping the head unit. Audi is definitely the ultimate driving machine. BMW, I defect!

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  great value for money - 1998 Audi A4
  By kakoman - July 1 - 2:06 am

  It is an incredible vehicle at this price point. Hard to beat the AWD in tough weather conditions and the V6 is as smooth as you could want it to be. The styling is still up to date even with the refreshing the line recieved in 2002 due to the fact that the new A4 looks like the A6.

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  A beautiful speed machine! - 2001 Audi TT
  By EX - June 30 - 5:53 pm

  For the money, this is the best sports car on the road hands down. Ive had this car (225HP-Quatro-AWD) almost 7 years now, and Ive only had very minor issues. Looks incredible, and performs almost as well as its looks. I drive it in NYC/NJ/CT, and it can handle the road(one of the worst infrastructures around) as well as all the bad drivers due to its speed and handling. Performs very well in poor conditions, but I would recommend snow tires for extreme conditions. Good room, solid storage for its size, but you wont be able to fit an adult in the back seat. Very well built and durable. Im 63" 225 and Im very comfortable in it. Nice amenities-sound-seats-dash-controls-very user friendly!

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  It won me over! - 2008 Audi A4
  By bob - June 28 - 4:01 pm

  I started out gunning for a Saturn VUE. But it does not come with a moon roof so I tried on the Audi A4 quatro for size - performance - finish. It does not disappoint. My first reaction to driving it: A little noisy. Initially reminded me of a diesel - albeit a fairly quiet one. The noise level is most noticeable when first accelerating. Once under way the noise level recedes and is forgotten. Finish & performance wins raves. Safety features - brakes - road stability - guages placement underscore diligent design engineering. This car gives you the feeling it was designed by engineers who like driving cars. Cars that envelope you in comfort safety. Road stability is totally reassuring.

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  Understated Elegance - 2003 Audi A4
  By understated elegance - June 28 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Moro Blue Beauty for less than 24 hours, and Ive already put 250 miles on her. So far, its met/exceeded my expectations. The 1.8T with CVT is surprisingly strong (and I used to drive a Lexus IS300). With the top up, the cabin is serene. Top down ride is comfortable. My only regret is that my car came with the Sports Package -- the stiffer suspension may cause unnecessary squeaks and rattles, especially in a convertible.

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  A5-Star Rating! - 2008 Audi A5
  By HermanH - June 27 - 6:12 pm

  Having never owned a luxury car, this is my first and it did not disappoint my idea of what Audi luxury (or any other manufacturer for that matter) is all about. It is also my first production coupe ownership as well (if you dont count my replica kit roadster.) The exterior of the car is in a class all its own. It takes some sports car queues and blends them into the coupe in a way no other manufacturer has done as of late. The main attraction are the LEDs. People stare, point, stay glued to their rear-view mirrors. The stance from the rear is elegant yet very strong with the 255 wide tires! Interior is simply first class for me. My first leather interior. I love this car.

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  The Incredible R8 - 2008 Audi R8
  By R8Heaven - June 25 - 12:51 pm

  Audi got this car right! The fact that this car is mentioned in the same breath as a Porsche 911 Turbo and other high end sports cars says a lot about a car that didnt exist 2 years ago. The R8 drives like it is on rails and sticks like paint. Be prepared to be stared at in the R8 and watch as little kids point at it. The engine sounds awesome. I have considered many sports cars but $ for $ there is no better one out there. Probably why there is a 2 year wait for it. Do whatever you can and get one