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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  Great car so far - 2008 Audi A4
  By Dan - March 24 - 12:36 pm

  Have had this for just over 2 weeks and 800 miles and so far Im very pleased. I do wish the 2.0T had more power but I knew going into it that it was a trade-off for better fuel economy. Setting aside the lack of power at the low end, I love the way the car drives and handles. Been in one early spring snowstorm so far and it held the road beautifully. Quartz Gray color is stunning.

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  First Audi..great coupe, quality & quick - 2008 Audi A5
  By First Reviewer - March 23 - 10:00 am

  My first Audi and so far is excellent. Loaded A5 (all options except S-line package), ride is fantastic...great in corners, straight, smooth and very quiet on highways. Acceleration is very good and feels quick (better then my 05 Acura TL), especially in sport mode. Audi delivers amazing interiors with high quality. Backseat is okay for small kids, but almost unusable for adults. Im a tall/big guy who fits very comfortably up front. Technology is great - imports entire Blackberry phone book in one shot with excellent Bluetooth connection. MMI is not difficult to learn, but can be cumbersome. Voice activation not live on the A5. Overall, great blend of luxury and sporty ride.

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  The best overall car I have ever owned - 2001 Audi S4
  By My Favorite Car EVER - March 23 - 8:33 am

  This car is absolutely perfect. Though My wife made me opt for the tiptronic rather than the 6 speed, this car is still a blast to drive. You can really feel the autobahn engineering. It gives you a planted feel regardless of speed or driving conditions. I ski 15 to 20 times a winter and I have never had a problem taking this up the mountain. Quattro is excellent in the snow. Before this I had a Mercedes ML320 SUV, and I would take the audi any day. No regrets on my purchase. The biggest problem that I have had is that the stereo stopped working and had to be replaced, and I understand that this is a common issue in these cars.

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  2004 A4 AWD 1.8T SPT, Light, Bose - 2004 Audi A4
  By Timmy_2toes - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the 2004 Audi A4 about two months ago and so pleased in what I bought. I looked at and compared the Lexus ES 330, BMW 3 series, Volvo S60 and the Audi A4. With out any question I thought that the Audi out performed these competitors in handling, interior look, style and most of all price. The all wheel drive was so amazing in the snow that I was looking for snow terrain to plow through. The lighting package allows you to see much father and gives a clean and clearer visibility when driving at night.

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  Fun to Drive and Safe - 2006 Audi A6
  By Sean - March 22 - 9:36 am

  The quattro feature makes me feel as if I am riding on tracks. I have been in a number of snow and ice storms this winter in New England and never even slipped. Amazing. Its fun to drive, and every component, every feature fits perfectly with each other - there is nothing wrong with this car. Service has lived up to expectations, Audi has gone out of its way to ensure a good experience.

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  Looking for comfortable seats? - 2008 Audi A3
  By Seattle - March 18 - 8:00 pm

  I love this car. Really fun to drive, sticks like glue to curves, great visibility, sporty but comfortable driving experience. I test drove a lot of small cars before deciding on this one, and preferred it to the A4.

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  Audi 2005 A6 - 2005 Audi A6
  By pjoy - March 17 - 5:40 pm

  Great build quality, looks, and performance for a midsize sedan.

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  Buying 2 more - 2004 Audi A4
  By AudiLover - March 16 - 12:06 pm

  I cannot tell you how much I love this car. Coming from a previous Chevy Tahoe, this car is ridiculously built better and the mpg I get is 30 in town and around 35 on hwy. I love the top, mines white body with blue top. I was warned about the maintenance and labor cost for German cars, theyre not any higher than a Tahoe to maintain and you save on gas too. I have 64k on mine and its never given me one complaint, just oil changes and regular service. My husbands also getting one to get rid on the truck 15mpg.

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  Awesome car - 2008 Audi A3
  By david - March 15 - 1:02 pm

  This is an awesome car and fun to drive. Would recommend this over 3 series any day. Shifting is really smooth and the acceleration is great, got upgraded stereo and S-line package and I feel it was worth the money... stiffer seats/suspension. Heated seats work great and the AC cools down nice and quickly.

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  2007 Audi After 1 year and 11,500 Miles - 2007 Audi A6
  By Derry - March 10 - 8:41 pm

  Took delivery Jan 28, 07. Car was delivered spiffy clean and sparkling. So far, no serious defects of any kind - rather amazing in a complex machine. Only a few minor complaints: front cupholders could use redesign - one is under the armrest, which needs to be lifted to use cupholder. Windshield wiper moisture sensors work but not precisely enough - you need to "help" them along sometimes. Occasionally, there is a very slight hesitation when starting up from idle - seems to have lessened as time goes by - maybe I am getting used to it?? Very slight rattle in glove box door- needs adjustment?. Thats IT!! This is a "serious" car - took fanatical attention to detail to build. Fun to drive.