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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  First months of ownership - 2007 Audi S4
  By RX Express - May 6 - 10:32 pm

  This is my first Audi/German car. I was looking for a fun, safe, classy car that would accommodate my 6 year old twins. I looked at all cars under 60k. The S4 fulfilled all my expectations and more. I still find new features on the car, i.e. the way it channels rain over the car not on the side windows and the memory of seat, mirror and climate settings tied to the remote. The build quality is excellent. It is so solid. The speed is addictive. Cornering is phenomenal. Its limits cannot be safely explored on the street. I am a quattro convert.

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  Best In Class - 2007 Audi A3
  By Matt - May 6 - 9:45 am

  This fall will be two years in my A3 and this car is the best small car I have ever owned. Great all season driver!!

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  Fun Meets Practical - 2005 Audi A4
  By A Clark - May 5 - 10:00 am

  The minute I got behind the wheel of this car was the minute I fell in love. The drivers seat is so comfortable that if you didnt know you were in a car, you would swear you were sitting in a leather recliner. As for performance, boy does this car deliver! Not only does it excelerate with ease and give you that sporty engine rev but it also handles well on any type of road. The sport and triptonic features are so easy to use that they put the fun back in driving an automatic. As with all recent Audi styles, you feel protected on all sides without feeling like you are driving a tank. Not only is this car a joy to drive (especially at high speeds) it

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  So far, so good - 1997 Audi A4
  By jonah5 - May 4 - 10:50 am

  I bought this car new in 1997 and has thankfully been very reliable. Around 1997 I lowered the car with new springs and shocks but otherwise left it stock. Just changed the timing belt a year ago, but other than that no major mechanical issues. I changed the brake pads myself around 60,000 miles (the easiest and fastest brakes Ive ever done). The exhaust finally rusted out by the flextube so Ive installed a new Borla exhaust. Great drive, still feels full of quality, no rust, paint looks new after a wash. No regrets buying this car.

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  Solid as a Rock - 1998 Audi A4
  By Audi in Seattle - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my A4 used with the Audi Assured warranty -- a good bet. After 3 months a cracked tie rod boot only cost me the $50 warranty deductible instead of $400. People mistake the car for brand new even though it has over 50,000 miles on it.

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  Best used car I have ever purchased - 2002 Audi TT
  By tim - April 30 - 1:45 pm

  Purchased used in Jan 07 in NY (I live FL), certified and only 19800 miles on car. No problems at all, runs great and I replaced the ugly rims with something that finishes the car much better than stock wheels. Averaged 28 miles to the gallon on trip back from NY... this car will be a classic one day.

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  Awesome Audi - 2006 Audi TT
  By M B - April 29 - 9:27 am

  The 2006 Audi TT 225HP Roadster is a blast to drive. It handles very well thanks to AWD and can fly in the straightaways also.

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  Outstanding vehicle... hands down - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Randy - April 27 - 11:02 pm

  I am thrilled with this car. Fun to drive, comfortable for 6 adults, able to tow 6500 lbs., and unique among a sea of lookalikes. The 3.6 performs very well with an assertive growl and silky smooth acceleration. Punch it and it will GO!

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  Audacious Audi! - 2007 Audi A4
  By Rick - April 27 - 2:01 pm

  Did my research... Audi A4 wins in most categories: fun to drive yet economical great design aspects, but not too cutting-edge very comfortable ride, and of course, excellent German engineering throughout. Its damn good looking, too!

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  2003 Audi A4 3.0 six speed - 2003 Audi A4
  By deme55 - April 27 - 10:00 am

  The 2003 A4 3.0 is a very well made vehicle. As with most German built cars, this A4 is very responsive, stable, and for the most part, comfortable. Soft with a slight rigid feel over bumpy road, very responsive with a tap on the accelerator, and corners extremely well although 3- series BMW have the edge in cornering. Along with gorgeous styling, the A4 is a sheer pleasure to drive.