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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  Easiest $60K choice Ive ever made! - 2008 Audi S5
  By S5 Chicago - December 29 - 1:59 am

  To be a first time Audi owner with a 2008 S5 is the best car experience Ive ever had. The car is absolutely stunning from any angle and light setting. I have soccer moms looking at the car at stop lights! Not very easy to get used to I might add. The performance and V8 sound more than equal its stunning looks. Interior Fit and Finish are Audis best, and the MMI is easy to use and informational. The Bang & Olufsen stereo is amazing, but its usually muted since I love hearing the V8 engine noises inside the cabin, and also with the windows down.

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  A6 Quatam Leap.... - 2016 Audi A6
  By audinorcal - December 28 - 5:54 am

  Great, simple, muscular and "light catching" design with an interior that will stunningly surround and sooth you. The precision and quality of the interior and its fit are truly reflective of exceptional thought and engineering. The car holds its grip on the road and curves; rides with extreme comfort, and acceleration when needed is precise and perky. You wont ever notice when the 8 speed tiptronic transmission is shifting. If you are into a lot of tech, you wont be displeased. And if you are an average person, you wont be overwhelmed. The infotainment system in the center console is very driver-oriented and one you get familiar with everything it does (and you probably wont get that far, it does so much!) you barely need to take your eye off the road to navigate the system. The driver display (between the gauges) is awesome and easily and efficiently keeps you, the driver, oriented as to a variety of systems in the car (including the radio, media, navigation, fuel consumption and so many other things), all easily accessed by the steering wheel buttons. Fuel efficiency is great, especially with a car with this much muscle. Although I am not a speed demon and am past the age of wanting to take the car next to me at the stoplight off the line every chance I get, I can attest to this amazing six-cylinder engines ability to get you from zero to sixty in 5.2 seconds. Its an amazing car, amazingly and thoughtfully engineered in every detail. I know that the Japanese inspired and designed luxury brands are great, but they just dont seem to have that Germanic edge that the Audi brand possesses. I drove a lot of other cars before I got behind the wheel of a 2016 A6, and I was sold before I even pushed the start engine button. And if you are looking for real quality in this category, you will find the A6 3.0 Quattro to be a car of real comparative value to other cars in the $60k-$70k price range.

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  Just bought this car and its a blast! - 2008 Audi A3
  By John and Janette - December 26 - 3:54 pm

  We came on the lot looking for an A4 and drove off with this one instead. The baseline A3 is pretty boring, but the S-Line is amazing! The Blue Sky package makes this car look very unique. Also got Sirius radio with the Bose audio package. The sound couldnt be any more clear. Well follow-up if anything bad happens, but so far so awesome! If you go to Audi of Tysons Corner, make sure you ask for Ron! Very cool guy and extremely low intensity.

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  2008 Audi TT - 2008 Audi TT
  By sme - December 26 - 1:35 am

  Nothing but fun to drive for me with the Stronic gear box and my wife can still drive it like an auto.

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  Get your facts straight. - 2000 Audi A6
  By dnickerson - December 25 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car. Im writing in because I saw you scored it at only a 6.8? When I checked the scores, the two A6 Turbo drivers gave a 9.3 average but you added in a third 2.0 score from an apparently disgruntled A6 4.2 owner. The A6 4.2 is not the same as the 2.7T! So check your protocol and give the A6 2.7T the right score for a great car. Kudos also to Dover Audi which does a super job.

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  I love this Car!!! - 2002 Audi A4
  By Impressed Driver - December 25 - 2:00 am

  Im loving every minute I drive this car. Its a superb car. I wish I didnt have to worry about time and mileage. Test drove BMW 3 series, Volvos, Infinitis, VW Passat, but selected the Audi. Great value compared to the others and you get more satisfaction out of it.

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  4th and best Audi - 2007 Audi A8
  By Capt John - December 24 - 11:00 am

  My black on black A8L is built like a bank vault, is quiet except when accelerating, when it has a nice little throaty tone. Ive had an A6 2.7 which was fun still have an A6 4.2, (2002) which is still solid and fun to drive. I had a 2006 A8L, which was great, but the 07 car is even better. It is understated, sumptuous, quick, and solid. Everything one could want.

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  2001 Audi A6 - 2001 Audi A6
  By Bill - December 23 - 8:42 pm

  Performance, handling, and overall quality very good. Very happy so far. Shopped around and compaired with other cars of this caliber, the all wheel drive was a strong selling point.

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  Love this car! - 2007 Audi A3
  By cj0203 - December 22 - 7:21 pm

  I love this car. I have approximately 6000 miles on it. I like the feel of the car - very nicely done - and the pick up, but the engine noise is a bit loud. The manual says to shift earlier - right. I am a bit disappointed about having to choose between the Ipod plug or Sirius. For this kind of money you would think they could figure out how to include both options together. I really love the sun roof and moon roof. The drive is smooth and the seats are comfortable. I drove everything from the Fit to the A3 and by far this was the best car if you are looking for a hatchback. The only problem I have had was a bad sensor in the fuel tank set off the engine light, but it was fixed.

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  Still a great car. Better than new - 2002 Audi A6
  By Tim - December 21 - 3:46 pm

  This really is a great car. I has power, AWD, style and comfort. I have been looking to replace it recently with either an STS, G35, CTS and others, but I keep coming back to it. It is roomy for a family, much more than the above cars and the materials are quality, though not as much as my old 94. It is smooth, quiet and powerful. It is not cheap like most Japanese or domestic cars. If you buy these used with low miles they are an absolute steal. The turbo is great for power and you can add a chip for more power if you want.