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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  Amazing Vehicle, some bothersome issues - 2008 Audi A6
  By Slojotaa - January 1 - 9:12 am

  3rd Audi, and extremely happy with how the deign has matured. Smooth cornering, pick up, quiet cabin, butter start up process, intuitive controls.

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  So this is what the fuss was all about! - 2009 Audi A4
  By EmmasDaddy - December 31 - 12:53 pm

  After drooling over it since it came out I finally picked up the 2.0 Turbo with the Premium Plus package in brilliant red with tan interior. This car is awesome! The turbo has excellent giddy-up, and the extra foot lbs. of Torque give this car plenty of pop of the line and set it apart from any other seday in its class. The Audi MMI can be challenging at 1st, but once you get the hang of it is very easy to use. I love the ipod integration (a must for me) and the bluetooth phone feature that downloads your phone book. The new body style provides plenty of room in the back for my 3 year old daughter. I had an MDX, and I now love to drive again! ps. The LEDs are poppin!

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  2003 Audi S8 - 2003 Audi S8
  By PASHA - December 30 - 7:44 am

  For me it is the best vehicle so far for all around. It is sporty, classy, family oreinted, stylish, good handling. When you own this car, you do not need sport coupe or SUV. It wil give you all pleasure and your needs. Its a very good built vehicle. Touch up finish is excellent. Having quattro drive and driving in rain is fun. I will recomend this vehicle for every car fanatic

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  Love Audis, but not this Audi - 2001 Audi A4
  By DFD - December 29 - 4:04 pm

  I bought my Audi used from a reliable used foreign car dealer. Love the power and handling, and it looks good. Two of my biggest problems that I have come across is the terrible fuel economy and the lack of heat. Im getting about 18 mpg now, and that is mostly hwg. My heat blows cold air constantly. I recently spent $650 to get it fixed, just for the mechanic to tell me it still doesnt work. But all in all, I would buy another Audi, theyre lots of fun.

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  Never by an Audi again - 1999 Audi A4
  By Steve - December 27 - 10:06 am

  This car was reliable for the first 5 years but since then it has been nothing but a money pit. It has broken down at the side of the road several times and every time its at least a $700 dollar visit to the garage. The interior quality is bad. Cup holder broke, hatchback interior paneling broke. The engine is underpowered. Like many AWD cars, it goes through tires quickly. It is just not a well built car.

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  High maintenance - 2001 Audi A6
  By coalminer - December 26 - 7:10 am

  The car has good looks and drives well when not in the shop. Audi engineers need to make a car more reliable and less costly to fix. Had the car 2.5 years and spent $16,000 in repairs from engine work to sensors to cracked rims. What next? Dont buy one new or used its a money pit!

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  King of the Road - 2016 Audi Q5
  By Ash4Audi - December 25 - 5:10 pm

  Vault like build quality, feels like driving an elegant and maneuverable mini-tank on the road!

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  Black Pearl & Red Magna - 2009 Audi S5
  By Audi S5 Quattro - December 25 - 7:29 am

  From what I can see, although, it is quite early, this car is a definite keeper. I have to laugh when I read some reviews commenting on the MPGs. Guys, its posted right there on the sticker. If you do not agree with something, dont buy it! What a great mix of luxury and performance. I looked at, and test drove most everything in the S5s class, and, I dont think that any one car touched it. You have to love the exclusivity of it, too. I have yet to see one on the road, and I live in a fairly large city.

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  There is no comparison - 2008 Audi S6
  By Audi4life - December 24 - 3:58 pm

  This is my 4th Audi and by far my favorite. You cant compare this car to the M5 or the E63, Thats what the RS6 is for (We wont get the current 570bhp in the states) For those of us that know about Audis, this car will blow away any E500 or twin Turbo 550i and you will look better doing it. This is the best S I have owned. I had the 2001 S8 and that was a blast too.Until the 2011 RS6 comes this is the next best thing or the 2003 RS6.

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  German Engineering at its finest - 2001 Audi S4
  By Kelvin - December 22 - 11:34 pm

  Purchased my S4 used with 30k and it ran like a champ right off the dealership lot! Love the QUATTRO engineering. This car is a bona fide pocket rocket. Handles corners extremely well, firm tight suspension and great acceleration. Only wish I had gotten a 6 speed instead of the automatic. The S line should stand for super. Audi has done it right again with the S4.