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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  2017 Audi Q3 - 2017 Audi Q3
  By Anthony - December 15 - 6:24 pm

  Just purchased a brand new 2017 Audi q3. After two weeks of having it and driving just under 300 miles the car is already back at Audi to get the engine worked on.. My wife was driving home from work when it started to shack uncontrollably causing her to pull to the side of the road. Thank god she wasnt on the highway at the time. The car would not move without shacking. The car was towed to the for them to fix. The dealership was helpful and apologized of course. Never the less I find this completey unacceptable given the fact the we have to go threw this with a brand new car. Love the look of both inside and out but so far has not been reliable.

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  Fun to drive but drains your pockets - 2000 Audi A6
  By audi4.2 - December 15 - 12:52 pm

  I bought this car with 80,000 a year ago. Its a wonderfull car to drive, i have had majors problems. Trasmission went out with no reverse two months ago.Audi dealer quote was 7000 for a rebulit which was almost as much as the car was worth. If you want a fun sedan 300hp safe in the winter all wheel drive, but its going to cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars to maintain. Im in the middle right Ive spent already more money than the car is worth. She runs really good now and I hope for the new few years.

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  boldovs review - 2003 Audi A4
  By boldov - December 15 - 10:00 am

  mu car is a sleek powerfull, yet nice sized car... not only can it move around quickly... but i also have the room for 2 bikes and 2 people... i have a car... it is my dream to get this car that i have only in a color they dont make..

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  Best Auto Ive Ever Owned - 2003 Audi A4
  By stanton - December 15 - 10:00 am

  I am am currently very satisfied with my Audi A4 1.8T Quattro sedan. The handling is precise, especially in foul weather, and gives an overall feeling of confidence. Quattro is what sealed the deal. The cabin is well appointed and comfortable. Also love my dolphin gray metallic paint. There are only two other Audi owners in my small city, so my A4 gets a lot of looks... even from teens. My family is proud that we own an Audi.

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  Extra Performance is Easy! - 2004 Audi A6
  By LuckyAZ - December 14 - 4:45 pm

  This is a great car for any family. The added bonus (for dad or mom) is the easy modification. I have added a GIAC perfromance chip, cold air intake and better turbo valves. This car easily outruns a Mustang GT in the straight line and on the track. It is fun to pass so-called "sports cars" with my sons car-seat in the back.

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  This car is awful. Bad is too mild - 2008 Audi A6
  By Gene - December 14 - 3:31 pm

  Reading good reviews by the editor as well as some owners, my daughter decided to give it a try...I wish she did not. The car has 10,500 miles on it. It is 1.5 years old. She came here to Milwaukee for a funeral. On the way from Chicago the yellow light came on. As soon as she got out of the highway the car stalled. She called the road assistance as well as the leasing company and they told her to try starting it. The car started. They told her that since this is just the yellow light drive it and bring it in when you are back. On the way to the funeral the car stalled again 3 times! She had to borrow mine, left the car parked on the street. This is the Audi/German luxury

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  Love It, Cant leave it. - 2000 Audi TT
  By 2 Owner - December 12 - 11:20 am

  The Audi TT MK1 was designed to remind us of the Auto Union cars. It was a pure form with Bauhaus influence being key to its creation. I didnt originally agree with the design of the interior, but now I find it to be of such a quality that it puts most other automotive interiors to shame. The car is holding up well appearence wise. I maintain the car myself and find its upkeep to be easy. I dont trust another mechanic working on my car. Ive driven over eighty thousand milesa in my TT and it continues to run without any major events. Changed the timing belt at 66,000 miles. Ive replaced the alternator once, the starter three times, the water pump once and other things. I still love it.

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  Exceptional Automobile - 2004 Audi A6
  By Mars - December 12 - 9:33 am

  Have owned Volvos, Benz, Bimmers, you name it our 2004 S-line A6 has been the best handling, most reliable auto ever. Chicago winters, no problem. Many x-country trips in every season. The car has never once let us down. Minor electronic nuisance with turn signal relay, but thats it. Developed outside water leak in front passenger floor area which we still havent tracked down, but what the hey...shopping for a nice all road with the same mechanicals as we need more room to carry stuff with a new business. Highly recommend this vehicle to anyone in the market.

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  That darn sunroof - 2009 Audi S5
  By Big John - December 11 - 8:31 pm

  Ive only had my car for a few months but heres my take. There has to be something they can do to the roof to help me have a open air feeling to that car. The city mileage is terrible, highway with cruise 23 to 24 not bad. But I dont know why they cant do better, my E500 averaged 21 and I saw a high of 27 in a car that had over 300 hp and was bigger. I wish the transmission helped with the city driving. Yes the car is fast, but am I the only one who thinks this car want to go ballistic on the highway. Not that Im complaining I just wish the 0-60 matched the height a bit more.

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  Waiting for the other shoes to drop - 2002 Audi A4
  By Tim H - December 10 - 5:42 pm

  Ive put a steady 12K a year on this car in a mix of city & freeway driving, up to the 75K I have now. After the 4- year lease was up, which coincided with the 50K-mile warranty, I bought the car outright and on a hunch bought a 70K- mile extended warranty. Great hunch! It paid for itself twice over, but now that it has expired Im dreading the next major expense and wondering what it will be. Though I still love the vehicle, its looks & ride, it may be time to move on before the pit of mechanical-breakdown hell opens up. One amazing point: At 75K miles I have never needed new brakes thanks to careful driving and downshifting rather than braking at every opportunity (though I will soon)