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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  Q5 3.0t Prestige - 2014 Audi Q5
  By auaudi - September 8 - 5:37 pm

  Traded my 2008 base model Cayenne for the Q5 3.0 and so far (1 month later) its a great success. Its just more fun to drive and I didnt need as much cargo space. The 0-60 time, ride quality and sound system are all better in the Audi. And of course the agility and parking ease are better due to the smaller size. Audi MMI maybe has overkill on some features such as 8 different ways to enter a destination into the Nav so maybe theres a little more money invested than absolutely necessary. Also better than the Lexus RX I had before the Porsche

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  7 years and still like new - 2006 Audi A6
  By ozzie1999 - August 31 - 4:51 pm

  Ive owned a lot of cars. Many of which I cycled through as I got bored of them, or they just started to under perform and cause issues. I purchased this A6 with 5K on the clock and it currently has 65K. I do pamper it, but it returns its pampering with flawless performance with an engine roar that sounds better than the day I got it. Oh yeah and 7 years and there is not one bit of rust.

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  2014 SQ5 - 2014 Audi SQ5
  By swdunham - August 31 - 9:29 am

  Just got mine a month ago and love it! Ride, build, and looks are sweet. Too early to give much of a review... but for now Im loving it!

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  Perfect car - 2014 Audi A6
  By nathanmdk - August 28 - 11:00 pm

  A perfect cross between comfort ride and quick, responsive acceleration. Subtleties in cabin design give a sense of an expansive cockpit with the right amount of leather and wood trim to give a luxurious feel but still got the aluminum accent for its sporty side. Got mine with Prestige package, LED lights, and cold weather package for $57,200.

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  Love this car!! - 1992 Audi S4
  By draky - August 15 - 4:59 pm

  A few months ago I bought my used 1992 S4. This car is so amazing! I drive it daily and have minimal modifications on it from previous drivers, only things changed was to bring it up to date anyway. Car handles amazing! Drives like a dream! It does have a little turbo lag, but that just makes it more fun to drive. I high recommend finding a good/prime example of one of these and holding onto it!

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  S7 Heaven - 2013 Audi S7
  By larryinbh - August 11 - 11:32 pm

  I have had my S7 for two weeks now and it is an amazing vehicle. I just got rid of my Porsche 911 as I decided I needed a little more refinement with my driving experience. The S7 is explosively powerful, quiet, nimble and incredibly fun to drive. The blend of driving performance, technology and comfort is astonishing and I could not be happier in this car. I get more stares and more comments on my S7 than I ever did on my 911 and that is something a car nut like myself also appreciates ... people say "I love your car" and I say "So do I, thanks!"

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  3.0T Premium Plus S-Line - 2013 Audi Q5
  By khl - August 4 - 10:57 am

  Excellent balance of luxury and performance. Surprisingly roomy in passenger compartment and trunk despite small footprint of vehicle. For premium price of q5, missing some features I had on previous car (see below in suggested improvements). MMI despite improved, still makes it cumbersome to change radio station. No preset buttons means having to scroll on MMI controller or scroll wheel on the steering wheel. Two memory seat positions but still requires you to manually adjust steering wheel each time you change drivers. The panoramic moonroof affords lots of light and view. Drives and handles superbly with the S-Line package. The flat-bottom steering wheel looks and feels great.

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  Unique and Fun - 2011 Audi TT
  By marquesalan - July 27 - 8:42 am

  Great gas mileage for a roadster, fun to drive and a unique looking design make this car my favorite! The sound system is incredible.

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  Pleasantly surprised. - 2013 Audi A3
  By FT02 - July 24 - 6:23 pm

  All my trepidation of owning a diesel in a cold climate have melted away. Cold weather operations a breeze due to heated seats ( not like the seat warmers in my Q5) that even my wife had to turn down. Audi has an aux heater that starts blowing hot air in about 2-3 mins when its -20. I commute everyday and fill my tank about once a month. The fuel economy is attractive paying for itself each time I fill-up.

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  Great SUV great engine - 2014 Audi Q5
  By audidriver007 - July 19 - 6:10 pm

  Its a great car with a very powerful engine and agile. The Q5 has an impressive torque and can reach 100 km / h in just 5.9 seconds. Its awesome. Its exterior lights have a very modern and sleek design. The interior finish and quality of materials are amazing. The start-stop system saves a lot of gas when traffic is heavy. Bang & Olufsen radio sounds spectacularly well, with great clarity and sound quality. wheel drive because it shows the car has really stuck to the road, giving great driving safety. Engine power is noticeable especially on steep climbs and road overtaking. The chassis structure is firm and sturdy and gives assurance and poise to handle the car. The Audi drive select syst