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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  A6 2.7T - 2002 Audi A6
  By Jrappap - April 4 - 2:00 am

  Purchased to replace large SUV. Have not had auto in bad weather. Seems a little heavy handling in regular daily driving when compared to me BMW 330. Very comfortable on the highway.

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  Concerns about vibrations - 2006 Audi A4
  By cppat - April 3 - 3:40 am

  Vibration concerns. The car noticably vibrates when placed in gear but not when in Park or Neutral. Tiptronic is fabulous, who needs a manual transmission!

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  An over-rated Audi - 2002 Audi S4
  By Bob Haworth - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Audi should never even offer an automatic transmission in a car like this...even the Tiptronic. Aside from being "clunky," after 8,000 miles mine has been in the shop going on 3 weeks because it will no longer shift gears! The right rear brake make an ear shattering squeal and they cant seem to fix that either. The brakes are awful on the smallest amount of ice or snow. There is an unacceptable number of squeaks, rattles and buzzes inside. And, even though a small point, two of the cup holders are underneath the armrest...very handy! I guess Germans dont drink and drive. For the price, extreme disappointment is all I can say about this vehicle.

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  Fun car to drive - 2002 Audi TT
  By balatoe - March 29 - 2:00 am

  I love my TT! Its such a fun car to drive. It handles well and the interior looks like nothing else you have ever seen. Simply beautiful

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  A6 Avant - 1999 Audi A6
  By kingdom - March 28 - 2:00 am

  Very stylish and comfortable and quiet cruiser. Last car was a Land Rover Discovery. This is a much better car to travel in. Ive had it into service too many times -- new power steering pump, and a few electrical glitches. Im fortunate it is under warranty.

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  NOT ENOUGH HP - 1992 Audi 100
  By me12334534535345435 - March 24 - 2:00 am

  NOT ENOUGH HP!!! this car is a good car but only supplying 190HP. you cant put anything into it. it is the worts car ever to try and customize!

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  great car....if only - 2002 Audi A6
  By car nerd - March 19 - 2:00 am

  In its first 20,000 miles the car has been flawless. No rattles, squeaks or glitches. The 200 hp V6 is peppier than expected but I wish they would make the wagon with a manual transmission, and ideally the 250 hp bi-turbo (but without the all-road lift kit) . With 4 blizzaks the car is unstoppable in snow/ice.

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  Love my 2003 Audi A4 - 2003 Audi A4
  By chuck/cbwallach - March 17 - 2:00 am

  This is my 2nd Audi A4 and its better than ever. They improved the torque ratio for better acceleration. The body style and increased interior room is great. Audi has the best 4-wheel drive system of any sedan. Great sound system and creature comforts. The 17" wheels/tires are a must.

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  Police makes driving less enjoyable - 2001 Audi S4
  By C Murder - March 12 - 2:11 am

  The car is all the more fun to drive at night. It owns the road with a force but yet provides an element of safety. The command of the car allow for speeding in a safe way. I see the enormous rush to purchase a SUV but I those things are a drag to drive and unsafe when it comes to quick responses. Gas mileage is poor and is the only buyers remorse I have.

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  Good so far... - 1999 Audi A6
  By KenN - March 11 - 9:10 pm

  So far, so good. Just purchased the 1999 A6 after a lot of research, and many test drives. Also seriously considered 5-series, C-Class MB, ES300. The A6 got the nod bc of the balance of comfort & performance. Interior room & comforts is very good, and shifts smoothly bw gears. Handles curves real nice - inspires confidence. Fun to drive for a entry-level luxury vehicle. Only complaint is the poor gas mileage. Some do not like the exterior styling - its a love it or hate it thing.