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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  Audi won out over BMW 3 series and Saab - 2003 Audi A4
  By audi convert - March 10 - 10:00 am

  For years Id dreamed of a BMW . . .then I could actually afford one. When I went car shopping, I loved the BMW but the newly designed Saab caught my eye. They both lost my vote after I drove the A4 Quattro. The car simply handled more smoothly and hugged the road even in wet conditions. Been driving it now for 3000 miles and still thrilled with it.

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  Great car, maintenance expensive - 1999 Audi A4
  By Strahd - March 8 - 5:58 pm

  I have never had any part fail on me in 90k miles. It has however been expensive to keep just the regular dealer-recommended maintenance schedule. It seems like no matter what I get replaced, its $1000. But car still runs great, starts every time without problem in Boston winters and still gets compliments 8 years later.

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  Excellent ride - 2007 Audi Q7
  By NY_Driver - March 7 - 9:13 pm

  Just leased an Audi Q7 4.2. Added dvd nav, sunroof, technology pkg etc. The Q7 is not only a fun drive but secondly also extremely useful in hauling people and stuff comfortably. No problem in terms of accelerating up hills or moving getting around slower vehicles. Interior is one of the finest I have been in with everything laid out nicely and easily reached. The MMI takes a little bit of getting use to but now I have no problems. Fuel mileage isnt great (13 mpg so far) but I doubt anyonewho bought this vehicle is worried about the cost of filling the tank.

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  Best Car Out There - 2006 Audi A4
  By cjalex - March 6 - 1:57 pm

  If there were a stability award for most stable convertible on the road, then the A4 cabriolet would win it! I loved driving my cabriolet, especially because I live in Florida. I had a couple problems with it, but other than that, it was perfect. I recommend this car for someone who is looking for a sports luxury compact convertible all in one, for a reasonable price. I especially like the interior design.

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  What a great design - 2002 Audi A4
  By Mike B - March 6 - 9:01 am

  The drivers experience is clearly what the engineers had in mind when designing this car. The engine delivery and transmission shifts are silky smooth. The turbo layout turns a usually puny 1.8 litre 4 banger into a fun and almost organic feeling torquey little animal! Audi has designed the drivetrain well. The interior and exterior both have the same concept in mind. Clean and sexy lookin. Some of my friends chuckle at me getting the wagon but I love it. Its just way to versitile to pass up. I play hockey and have a Big German Shepherd. I need the space. The other day I had three big dogs in the back and they all had room to lie down and relax on our trip.

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  This car is wonderful. - 2003 Audi S6
  By maastrichtian - March 5 - 3:27 pm

  Recently purchased this car Audi CPO. Drove it 1000 mi home - It was like a vacation. This car is perfect. Everything from the dashboard lights to the advanced braking system work in perfect harmony. Some notes: leather seats without alcantara insets are simply TOO slippery for spirited driving. I spent a lot of my trip home planted to the door because I slipped out of my seat. (Learned to offset that a little by stomping on the dead pedal.) Probably wouldnt be an issue for a wider person. Yes, you get terrible mileage. It IS worth it. If youre doing mostly highway miles (like me), youre getting about 18 mpg, which isnt horrible. City? Hopefully you dont drive very many miles :)

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  great car, LOVE it!!! - 2006 Audi A4
  By barnbasher - March 5 - 2:50 pm

  The entire experience from the sales person to paperwork went smoothly. From the moment we drove the car off the lot, we knew we made the correct decision. Comparing the BMW 330 with our car, leaves us wondering why people are buying the other. From this moment on, we are going to own the Audi!

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  Perfect - 2007 Audi A8
  By huntin - March 5 - 11:16 am

  This car drives like a sports car and has the luxury you wish was in other sports cars. It has great speed and acceleration and can turn with ease. The leather seats are just fantastic for comfort.

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  Fun to drive - 2007 Audi A4
  By Bruinlover - March 3 - 4:18 am

  I have had this car two months and I love driving it. This car is really nimble and comfortable. The gas mileage is pretty good for a car that performs this well. There is a slight lag at take off but then it really picks up. Also, the car beeps way too much. For the money this is a great car.

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  Love my A4 - 2007 Audi A4
  By bencary - March 1 - 2:21 pm

  A long time Benz owner - drove the Audi on a whim and fell in love! I had forgotten how much fun driving could be - this thing rides like its on rails! Bought it as a 2nd car to keep miles off my ML350 and have to force myself to drive the SUV now.