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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  A Great Car - 2006 Audi A4
  By Johnnyrocket - June 16 - 5:39 pm

  I have owned my Audi for nearly two years and have put a considerable amount of miles on it. Ive only needed to bring it in once outside of its scheduled maintenance for a minor problem (engine coolant leak). This car is beautifully designed, and drives like a sports car. Handles phenomenally in snowy/icy conditions and like a dream on dry pavement. Im not rich so when I buy a car its a big deal (I must have spent 6 mos deciding and comparing other vehicles!), but I dont think for the money I could have made a better choice!

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  A Balanced Machine - 2007 Audi A4
  By Jay Bee - June 16 - 12:16 pm

  What other vehicle in this class offers luxury, performance, safety, cachet, fuel economy, and quality at the price of an A4? BMW arguably makes a superior car, but the value is not there (and how will you know which one is yours in the parking lot?). M-B lacks quality. The Japanese makes dont offer the driving experience of the Germans, and the Americans are sans cachet. To me, the A4 fills a neat niche left by the others with an incredible drivetrain, legendary ergonomics, earth- and wallet-saving fuel economy, IIHS safety cred, and lease deals galore, its a no-brainer. Drive everything else first.

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  A4 CVT: Incredible Driving Experience - 2003 Audi A4
  By Begemotik - June 16 - 10:00 am

  The FWD with CVT instead of manual or automatic tranmissions has to be driven to be believed. Choose "automatic" operation or shift yourself, clutchless, through 6 forward "gears." And the interior quality would make Honda buy an A4 to model their Accords excellent interior.

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  After all these years... still fun - 2004 Audi A4
  By Rod - June 14 - 7:46 pm

  OK. Had this car 5 years now and wanted to add some perspective to all these reviews. First, car is great and works very well. No major issues while under warranty. A few little things here and there -- warm up when cold is rough and car rattles a bit, cup holder finally bit the dust in dash and will never come out again. (Partly its own fault and partly my anger out of its complete uselessness). Low water light for window washer comes on for no reason. Out of warranty had to have some vacuum hose work done for $700. Overall the car is still great but with all the little nits and nags you would expect with any car after 5 years and 70k miles. Roof great and no leaks!

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  Well Worth it! - 2000 Audi A6
  By Janos - June 14 - 12:05 pm

  Being a lead foot driver for over 9 years I have no complaints about this car. After so many miles my last car (Acura) felt half as powerful, run down and rusting everywhere. This car feels as powerful and smooth as day 1, no rust (12 yrs rust warranty), the interior still feels modern and cool and I get compliments all the time about how new the car looks. The car seats 5 comfortably pus it has a lot of cargo space. I change tires yearly (summer/winter) and always manage to fit my 245mm wide tires and rims in the trunk with lowered back seats with plenty of room to spare. I love this car and would only trade it for another Audi.

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  Fun to drive - 2009 Audi A4
  By lucy - June 11 - 7:49 pm

  I was a previous MINI Cooper S owner and was looking for something else that was fun to drive. I spend about 2 hours of my day commuting and the Audi A4 Quattro 2.0 with the Premium Plus package fits what I need. It has fun and comfort. Im a big tech geek and the A4 meets my needs. My favorite feature has to be the MMI. I had this car for almost 3 months and it has been excellent ever since except for a few strange rattle noises coming from the doors. Its a big head turner... so be prepared. I have had people in the freeway cruise up to me on the next lane, just so they can turn their head to view the led lights.

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  My First Audi and Not My Last - 2003 Audi A4
  By Audiconvert - June 11 - 10:00 am

  The 1.8T is not a race car but has plenty of power. I recommend Quattro if you live w/inclimate weather or want road handling performance. Solid ride quiet on the road. Solid thunk when closing doors. Dash and center console are logically laid out. Easy to use controls Bose stereo has more than ample power and sounds crystal clear. Seats are very comfortable up front a little tight in the rear but youre not hauling family. Its a thoughtfully laid out car with easy to use amenities plenty of power all surrounded by well sculpted sheet metal that looks great on the road. I love my 1.8T

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  Small car handling, large car elegance - 2003 Audi A4
  By sparis43 - June 11 - 10:00 am

  In the short two months since taking delivery, the A4 has been nothing but trouble free and enjoyable. Sure, the back seat is cramped for adults (just to get that out of the way). But it performs in so many ways...it can be a sporty car in the twisties or a relaxed cruiser on the highway. Styling inside and out are top shelf. Material quality is first rate. Youll wear out the owners manual learning the all the clever features and amenities. The A4 gets 28+ mpg on the Interstate, is ULEV certified and is at the top or near the top in the insurance rating on 5 mph bumper bash test. Perfect? No, but is any car?

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  A4 3 Quattro Sport - 2003 Audi A4
  By gwgold - June 11 - 10:00 am

  22,000 miles now and the car is just getting stronger.Impecable build quality.I have not figured out yet why people do not buy cars with AWD.With the quattro I just plow on like the terminator through rain and winds.No real problems to date , only a turn signal bulb and xenon bulb needed to be replaced. Great car, Waiting for the new S4,

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  Very spirited car - 2009 Audi A4
  By JDE - June 10 - 1:00 pm

  09 A4 2.0T CVT Prem Plus Quartz Gray. Terrific styling with an equal balance of handling and performance to please the enthusiast. MPG, safety, features & opts are solid, only sedan w/ a D pillar. 2-Tone gray interior is best out of other sedans tested. Love the lane change tap w/ side mirror LEDs. Multitronic CVT proves powerful, mechanical and engine notes (DFI techno) make me smile. All around a spirited and sporty car.