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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  2007 Audi A8L 4.2L Quattro - 2007 Audi A8
  By MotorStreet - March 8 - 4:50 pm

  The A8 never fails to amaze us. On a recent vacation we drove 700 miles north and on the way the kids never asked "Are we there yet?" once. The car is so relaxing to travel in and makes any journey comfortable. The gas mileage is equally impressive, on our vacation we averaged 28 mpg and drove most of the way at 80 mph. The 350hp direct injection 4.2L V8 has immediate power and even more refinement. The MMI is easy to use and just makes sense. We looked at the Lexus LS460, but it felt big, heavy, and was worse to drive than the old LS430 the Lexus had too many features and had millions of buttons. The 2007 BMW 750i had the stupid I-drive and the S550 was too expensive. The A8 is brilliant.

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  Love It - 2009 Audi A4
  By pj - March 8 - 4:36 pm

  I bought this car as a gift for my wife, a blue quattro convertible. For once I hit an out of the park home run. She loves this car and I do too. Its fun to drive, beautiful on the inside and outside, and gives us no trouble at all.

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  First Audi - 2008 Audi A6
  By J. Cone - March 6 - 10:28 am

  Previously had a BMW 5 and loved it. No problems. Decided to try the A6 and am very pleased. Performance is more than I expected and the quality of the cars interior is impressive. The car is very quite and seems well built. Handling is great as is the fuel mileage.

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  BMW 330Ci to A4 - 2004 Audi A4
  By MickeyK - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Needed a four door - look at BMW 330i which seem to be over price by $6,000 for the same features BMW - Steer was more boosted and sharper turn in, brakes seem to be firmer. Audi more comfortable Better finish and through my usual corners as fast and sure footed Will be doing track time this summmer - so will see what lap times are. Winter driving in the rain (Seattle) a real plus. Gas milage down by 3 mpg - due to Quattro

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  Better than BMW - 2004 Audi A4
  By mrbraun - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I have now driven this car for a year and have found absolutely nothing that I didnt love about it. A frind of mine has the BMW 325i and it is nowhere close to the Audi in form or function.

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  First Time Owner - 2006 Audi A4
  By A4Driver - March 4 - 12:20 pm

  My husband and I had researched used A4s for the last year, and finally found one with the right features. Because we bought it with under 30k miles and the previous owner had taken exceptional care of it, it feels like a brand new car. The handling is WONDERFUL the car has the optional sport suspension, and it makes a difference. There is plenty of power, and the the car purrs getting onto the freeway. Its also very comfortable inside, and everything about it feels posh. Im looking forward to driving this car for the next few years!

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  2000 Audi A6 2.7T - 2000 Audi A6
  By Roman1 - March 4 - 10:00 am

  Break rotors were replaced four time by 18,000 miles. Front vibration continues but cannot be found by dealer. Car runs well and drives smooth. The power of the car is great.

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  TT Roadster - 2001 Audi TT
  By cliff - March 4 - 10:00 am

  Love my car. Drive it everywhere, all the time. Never put the top up.

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  Audi A4 is an awesome car - 2002 Audi A4
  By - March 4 - 10:00 am

  Great car for the price. I got such a great deal a month or two after its release. The only negative is the fuel economy. But I guess its expected from a turbo engine. The space in the back is pretty cramped according to my passengers but....its a luxury/sports car. its expected.

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  Great Car - 2002 Audi A4
  By glenn - March 4 - 10:00 am

  The car has been spectacular thus far. The fit and finish is excellant and the cars preformance and handling is close to perfection.