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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  Roomy, sporty and not a minivan - 2010 Audi Q7
  By r8rcr8z - September 17 - 4:34 pm

  We just purchased the 2010 Audi TDI S- Line with the Prestige Pkg. It was one of the first to land here in the US. For reference, we traded in our 2006 Mercedes ML 500 - which we loved, but had many problems. First of all, the Diesel is absolutely great. It has the pickup of a V8 with the fuel economy of a V4. With 14 miles on the car, I drove it from Houston to Dallas. I averaged 28.9 MPG. The gauge barely moved off off F. It is very roomy, drives extremely smooth, is very quiet and has conveniences that not only make it safer (i.e., side assist), but more enjoyable to drive. Also, the 3rd gen MMI is very easy to use and practical.

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  A Very Appealing Car - 2009 Audi A4
  By pjl275 - September 16 - 8:39 pm

  We get many compliments on our S-Line Cab. Great looking S4 wheels. This is our first convertible and we love top down driving. The Cab is fun to drive but not BMW thrilling. Like the fact its an AWD car, for full year use. Fit and finish is excellent, interior is gorgeous. Gas mileage is terrible. Hope long term reliability is good. We leased, but buyout is very attractive. If it holds together, can envision a long term ownership.

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  The most obscure Audi - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By markcincinnati - September 15 - 2:00 am

  Someone has probably already called the allroad, the Swiss Army Knife of automobiles. Theyre correct. The version of the allroad that makes not only this "universal soldier" impression, but adds to it a huge dose of near sports sedan performance and fun is the manual transmission version. This car, unknown to most people is THE one car to have if you can have only one -- it can go anywhere, anytime, keep up with most everything else on the road and allow you and your passengers to arrive in style, comfort and safety.

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  Fun Car - 2003 Audi A4
  By LowLou - September 15 - 2:00 am

  A-4 1.8T is a dailey commuter. It has been a definite head turner and people come into wifes office to ask her about it. She loves the comfortable seats, style and its a RED convertible.

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  Audi Q5 - Great SUV! - 2009 Audi Q5
  By Phil in Dallas - September 14 - 3:06 pm

  My wife in on her second Audi (first an A4, now an A6). Im the "designated SUV driver" in the family. I had a 5 year old Nissan Murano, which performed well and was a good value, but Ive always been jealous of my wifes Audi(s). I looked at several mid-sized SUVs as a replacement, but none compared with the Q5. It drives like a sport sedan, with all of the comfort and convenience of a SUV. The size is perfect for getting around downtown and parking spaces, but it feels very large inside.

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  Late starting - 2005 Audi A6
  By A Marafie - September 14 - 11:58 am

  I have the same problem the first gentleman that wrote his report on the first page. The car starts but sometimes 1/10 starts it takes roughly 4 seconds. The dealer has changed the fuel pump cleaned the carburetors and still has that exact problem. They then told me that fuel pump was 25 percent efficient thats why it was replaced. They then took it again and check it online with Germany and said intake manifold. The part was replaced but the problem is still there.

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  Sweet and solid 2.8 5 speed - 1998 Audi A4
  By LJT 992 - September 11 - 8:28 pm

  I have read reviews about expenses. One person spent 3,000 on brakes, tires and rear wheel bearings, try finding a honest local repair shop. Max on that bill should be 750. Tires and brakes are consumables. I had two upper control arms put in at a total cost of 140, big whup! I have read reviews on Hondas and Toyotas and people complain about them. Make sure you know a local repair shop that works on these and the bills will only be slightly higher than the bland accord Camry domestic cars. This is a car that you smile in as you drive. If you are looking for a grocery car then buy something else b/c this is meant for a driving enthusiast not Gramma. Drink holders stink, who cares ur driving not eating.

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  Still Love This Car... - 2005 Audi A4
  By mll - September 11 - 4:19 pm

  This is the best car I have owned granted it is my first Audi. After 4 years, I still love driving this car. It has great pick-up, is excellent on snow (we also own a 4WD SUV and the AWD A4 is much better) and has been extremely reliable. It still looks like new and I still get compliments on the look of it (I like the exterior design more than todays model). I dont know what Ill do when its time to replace it!

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  Awesome Minus - 2007 Audi A4
  By Audi - September 11 - 1:16 pm

  I just got the car about 5 months ago. Its been great and everything, it drives great. The engine is kind of noisy... The muffler tips get black quickly no clue why.. Mine is automatic. Its fun to drive comfortable and everything. When coming to a stop and its about to downshift from 3rd to 2nd the car shakes. Also turbo lag at start. Wish it had just a little bit more power. But its enough.

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  A blast to drive - 2009 Audi A4
  By JK - September 9 - 10:08 pm

  Fun to drive in country roads, especially with S mode. The exterior with daylight running light draws attentions and the interior design, especially with the red back lights, is just beautiful. The fuel economy is good with over 33 mpg highway and 27 mixed highway/city driving.