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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  A3 is a great car! - 2006 Audi A3
  By dan - December 19 - 11:12 am

  The A3 is a cross between the TT and A4 Avant. The 2-liter turbo scoots, car handles well and the wagon design is practical. Interior design is a beauty, with brushed aluminum trim included with the premium group. And you dont see A3s coming and going all the time on the roads. Its almost a well-kept secret.

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  Great Fun to Drive - 2005 Audi A6
  By RKK - December 19 - 7:10 am

  The A6 is extremely fun to drive. There really arent many negatives. One thing I noticed is that there are some interior pieces that started to "fall apart", such as the rear view mirror came disconnected, the panel on the drivers side came loose, and finally the A6 symbol on the back of the car broke. All this was easily replaced at no charge with their excellent service package that comes with the car (even if you buy it used). Positives: definitely a unique car, even in a big city like Chicago, fun to drive, the quattro is felt, especially in the snow when all those BMWs are slipping in the snow due to their rear-wheel drive and the room in the back is unreal.

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  Best care - its my second one - 2006 Audi A4
  By Dutchy - December 18 - 9:43 am

  Excellent vehicle, comfortable, perfect drive experience. Will buy the TT for the missus.

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  Flawless at 15,000 Miles - 2006 Audi A4
  By Bandit Three - December 16 - 12:33 pm

  Mechanically there have been zero problems. The car has performed nicely. Last week, pulling into an intersection I was within three meters of being broad sided by a car running through the red light at high speed. I punched the gas pedal and the cars AWD gripped the road allowing the 2.0 Liter Turbo to haul me out of harms way, permitting the other car to screech around and behind mien Audi. My life, or quality thereof, was saved by this car.

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  a jewel on the road - 2005 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By an architect - December 15 - 9:13 am

  An exquisite, elegant design that goes beyond trend since its introduction in 2001 with its original design virtually unchanged. Im glad that Audi will not produce allroad anymore (pending its future concept production) that would give this particular model rare value. 2.7T engine has enough power to smoothly lift 4,200+ lbs. of weight with confidence. Always trustful, impressive quattro all- wheel drive. Superb handling, ride comfort and beautifully crafted interior w/ top quality materials as Audis tradition. This is a true jewel on the road.

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  Well Rounded Car - 2006 Audi A3
  By John - December 14 - 2:03 pm

  The best all around car you can buy. This car is a special car, Ive driven an M5 and this car is more fun to drive. Dont let the size of car fool you - the exterior is small and fun to parallel park in downtown, but the interior is spacious. The stability control works extremely well in snow or rain. I have gotten over 500 miles on a full tank of gas that is only 14.5 gallons big, driving from S.F to Seattle.

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  Id buy it again - 2004 Audi A4
  By Gadumah - December 13 - 3:55 pm

  I took ownership of this car almost three years ago and its been trouble free the whole time. I love everything from the design to performance. Even though I have the 3.0 model I wish it had a little more power. Other than that its almost perfect!

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  Most impressive vehicle I have driven - 2007 Audi S6
  By Brian K - December 11 - 2:05 am

  Purchased the S6 in Nov and soon found out I had much more car on my hands than I had expected. Finesse doesnt describe this cars ability to accelerate, brake, manuever or perform. Handles everything with ease. The best part is that aside from the 19" wheels and the dimuitive V10 and S6 badges, this vehicle looks like a nice A6. Pass someone and their eyes and ears are opened by the rumbling of the 5.2 liter powerplant. This is a rocketship!

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  2006 A4 2.0T - 2006 Audi A4
  By mpatel - December 8 - 4:03 pm

  Pleasurable drive, superior standard engine, a great deal compared to a BMW 325i, and in addition it gets better fuel economy (25 city/ 32 highway) than a 3-series. What more could you ask for?

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  BMW Guy Loves A4 - 2006 Audi A4
  By New Audi Guy - December 5 - 6:06 am

  Last 2 cars were BMWs. The 528i was so elegant, but I saw my service advisor more than I saw my wife. The 330ci was awesome, but pricey. Looked at the new 325 which drives great but the interior & exterior design left me cold. Checked out the 2005 Audi A4 1.8T which was noisy and underpowered and was so pleasantly surprised when the new 2.0T came out. The 2.0T together with the 6 speed tiptronic is awesome. It is MUCH less expensive to lease than the 325, as much fun to drive, and you get more features like quattro and Bose. The black on black looks sharp and is very comfortable. The tiptronic is smooth and powerful. The car is fast and handles beautifully.