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 Wife Will Miss Me - 2005 Audi A8
  By Reggie in Atlanta - June 16 - 8:31 pm

  I love my wife. I really do. I try to miss her as I drive my A8 (that I just purchase 3 days ago). So far, no luck! This is an amazing car. Mine is black and loaded with every available option. 36k miles, lease turn in, certified w/ 6yr-100kmile warranty. Used is the way to go especially if you arent completely sold on the new grille yet. I have owned a 1999 A8 and a 2001 A6 (for the aforementioned wife). Enjoying this one and looking forward to the next one.

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  Moms dream - 2004 Audi A4
  By marshanorman - June 16 - 2:00 am

  Having driven a Mercedes ML430 for four years, I am released at last into a fun, stable, safe machine that my kids and I love. It has plenty of luggage room, handles beautifully in the snow on my treacherous driveway, and makes me feel like a human being again. The ML nearly broke my back.

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  Its the one! - 2004 Audi A4
  By nwstu - June 16 - 2:00 am

  Wonderful automobile, good power to weight ratio, excellent handling characteristics, strong braking, quick off the line and easy to merge into freeway traffic at speed. Roomy and comfortable, even the back seats accomodate adults comfortably. The fit and finish rate excellent and the 17" wheels and tires give the car that solid, all business appearance. Its our 6th Audi and its the best one yet.

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  Best Car Ive ever owned! - 2008 Audi A6
  By Justin - June 15 - 12:59 pm

  Amazing vehicle. Smooth ride, plenty of power. Great easy to use features on the interior. Fantastic!

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  3.2 DSG Quattro - 2006 Audi A3
  By tyler - June 15 - 2:46 am

  Just test drove the new `06 3.2 DSG Quattro and LOVE the DSG system! It really works smoothly and quickly. The handling is nice and tight and plenty of grip served up by the Quattro system. The interior is spacious for the fact that the car is rather small on the outside. The open sky system is a must! The only problem is that the 3.2 Quattro is too much $ for what the car is. I tested a fully equipped model at $38k! The lighter 2.0T is still quick and more reasonably priced.

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  People Crash For It - 2008 Audi A5
  By AudiConvert - June 12 - 6:42 pm

  I have owned this car for a couple of months now, and all I can say is wow. Though it is down on horsepower compared to the BMW 335, it completely makes up in looks. Two months ago, I was at a stop light on a main road. A man was too busy looking at my A5, he drove into the car in front of him. I love the fact I got parked in front of the restaurant by valet. I love that I cannot go a night without a compliment, I just love the car.

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  Wife says: "Best Car Ever" - 2008 Audi TT
  By John - June 12 - 3:47 am

  Bought this for my wife, she needed one last sports car before we she got "old". She had an old 1976 Porsche 911 but loves this car better, in fact shes says the TT is her best car ever. Bought a red color coupe and she loves it. Its perfect for her petite size and I know she loves getting all the attention. The handling is great, it wants to be driven and before she knows it the spolier pops up and she notices that shes going 80 miles plus. The trunk is big enough for a weekend trip. Im just a bit too big for the seat which is too confining for me on a long drive but its a her car and she loves it.. When Mamas happy everybodys happy.

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  First month update - 2008 Audi A5
  By Franklin - June 11 - 9:57 am

  After a few weeks of ownership, I have learned that the A5 continues to impress, and truly is the beautiful girl whom you can marry and live with. The most amazing epiphany is remarkable fuel efficiency that exceeds EPA estimates of 18 and 27. I have averaged 26 in city, 34 on highway! My weekly trip to Costco also revealed I could transport abundant cargo 3 large boxes of diapers and baby wipes, detergent, gallons of juice, and more.

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  Overall a great car - 2008 Audi A3
  By N. HERNANDEZ - June 9 - 7:09 pm

  I test drove many vehicles for about 6 months. Between them were BMW 328x & 335x, Acura RDX, BMW X3, Infiniti G35x and Lexus IS 250 AWD. Audi A3 overall had all the features that I wanted, AWD, cargo flexibility, compact size, powerful engine and a good level of luxury. The A3 is impressive the way it handles. Coming from a previous S4 I was worried that the car wouldnt satisfy me but it has proved me wrong. I like this vehicle more and more as a continue to drive it.

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  Very cool - 2005 Audi S4
  By numonyx S4 - June 8 - 4:19 pm

  Even after 3.5 years and 44.5k miles, my recent purchase of a used 2005 S4 is a fantastic drive. The look and performance is awesome. I love the acceleration, braking, handling, and sound of this "tiger in sedans clothing". It provides just the right amount of sedan for my business use, but allows me to have a blast driving down the coastal highway 1 setting top pace for all the "weekend sport cars".