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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  A4 2.0l TDI 8 speed auto - 2009 Audi A4
  By big kev - April 2 - 8:21 am

  Weve got the diesels and I bought one 3 weeks ago and traded my 2007 BMW 328i. It looks great, the interior is beautiful and the ride is nice and comfortable without being too sloppy. The BMW was my first and last - the ride was horrible. This is as powerful, the auto changes cannot be felt, even in sport mode unless you really look for it - Im old and like smooth! There is no perfection but this car is excellent in every way. The diesel engine does clatter but you cant really hear it from inside except when you accelerate and then its only a bit of noise - like noisy tappets on an old car. Great.

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  Audi 4.2 - 2001 Audi A6
  By miles - April 1 - 6:36 pm

  Replaced an LS400 and there are no regrets. This car is a great value.

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  Burning Oil - 2007 Audi A4
  By ashou - April 1 - 5:56 pm

  I have to take my car in every 1500 to 2000 miles to have oil put in because the car is burning the oil so fast. This is my 3rd Audi and I purchased this one under the assumption it would be like my others, oil change every 10,000 miles, I was wrong. The dealership keeps telling me this is normal and I dont believe them. Ive contacted a lawyer because I want my car fixed before it goes out of warranty and find myself needing to replace a $10,000 engine.

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  Prestige - S-Line - 2009 Audi Q5
  By Toni - April 1 - 4:18 pm

  I just recently purchased the car. As an understatement, it is absolutely perfect. Excellent engine response and handling. The navigation system and audio commands are superior. I drove several competitors, i.e., Lexus X350, MB M500, Infiniti X35, and the Q5 is by far the best of the lot. If one is looking for a high performance Crossover vehicle, I HIGHLY recommend the Audi Q5.

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  Great car with all the features you want - 2009 Audi Q5
  By George - March 30 - 10:36 pm

  Traded our Acura TSX for an Audi Q5 and could not be happier with the choice. The Audi Q5 does not handle like your normal SUV and it gives us better mileage so far in the City and on Highway driving with way more storage room than the Acura TSX and ability to haul more stuff. I would certainly recommend this car to anyone looking for a smaller SUV, a lot of fun, power and style.

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  Run, Dont Walk - 1999 Audi A4
  By al - March 29 - 4:17 pm

  RUN, dont walk away from this car. 154,000 miles over 10 years have not been easy. Started needing heavy repairs right after the extended warranty ran out, at 60K. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong, to the tune of $15,000 in repairs over the life of the car. Even the seats wore out. Audi software does not work on the computers many foreign car repair places have. Many places cant even do oil changes. All repairs are expensive and then something else crops up. Audis are NOT for anyone who needs a reliable car and doesnt know much about how they run.

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  Best deal for your money - 2009 Audi A3
  By audiride - March 29 - 12:33 am

  I live in San Francisco and the A3 is the perfect size to park anywhere. Gives great gas mileage and takes off quick without the whiplash. I love the smooth transmission. One down fall would be the temperature controls. The knobs take awhile to adjust the temp. You have to turn it click per click or hold it a while to go from cold to hot. But other then that I love my Audi A3.

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  second A4 betterthan 1998 version - 2003 Audi A4
  By blueheron - March 28 - 2:00 am

  I have only recently traded my 1998 A4 and am mesmerized by the new engine and the incredible interior ergonomics and Quality. This is truly a better version of the previous generation A4.

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  A4 avant - 2003 Audi A4
  By SamIam - March 28 - 2:00 am

  One of the best handling cars EVER! quick and frugal.

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  A4 avant - 2003 Audi A4
  By SamIAm - March 28 - 2:00 am

  One of the best handling cars EVER! quick and frugal.