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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  A4 1.8T Quattro Auto - 2002 Audi A4
  By jim s - August 31 - 10:00 am

  I had a 99 passat, great car for the money. The 02 version is muched improved. But i wanted to upgrade to a serious sports sedan. Even though the A4 and the passat share the same engines, they are two totally different cars. I tested several sports sedans in this class, the is300, bmw 300 series, TL, and the c-class benz. The only car that came close to the A4 in terms handling/performance was the the bmw 320xi. A4 won over the 320xi due to Audis superior tiptronic...so much more responsive and smooth vs. the steptronic. The interior is rich looking while the chrome trim and red ambiance lighing separates the A4 from any other car.

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  Great Car All Conditions - 2000 Audi A4
  By ChrisA4 - August 30 - 8:38 am

  I purchased my first premium European car with a 2000 Audi A4 Quattro. I got the 1.8T with a 5 speed manual. An automatic may be sluggish so the 5 speed makes the car more fun to drive. If you are getting into an Audi you must get a Quattro. I am passing SUVs with this thing when the weather turns "ill"!

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  What a fun car! - 2000 Audi S4
  By Edward - August 29 - 3:51 pm

  In both summer and winter conditions, this car is amazing. With a twin turbo and plenty of horspower it really moves. In the winter, with the right snow tires it handles amazingly well (better than my wifes huge landcruiser). Note, make sure that you put winter snow tires on this car if you drive in the snow. the summer tires that come with the car are dangerous in snow. Overall, I loved owning this car!

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  A8L will always be my only car - 2004 Audi A8
  By Audi onwer for life - August 28 - 6:23 pm

  I purchased my 2004 A8L after owning a 1999 model. This car is a major advancement over the previous generation car which was a great car in its own right. It is a technological wonder mechanically and the interior is darn near a work of art. The structure is rock solid with no body flex and the suspension is a perfect balance of comfort and handling. The engine has excellent power and smoothness yet sounds like a performance car when pushed hard. This is the most intelligently designed car in the world according the to the window sticker and I couldnt agree more. As long as Audi continues to build this model I will own one.

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  Redefining the Pocket Rocket! - 2007 Audi A3
  By dmeyers - August 27 - 4:19 pm

  What a blast to drive! Short story – I needed to trade in the 330CIC and get something a little more practical as I was losing my winter driver (16 yr old got her permit) and my wife wouldn’t dare part with her MDX. After a lengthy search I decided to go back to Audi (have owned 3 in the past) to drive the A4. I noticed the A3 and it was love at first stomp on the gas peddle! The DSG is unreal (paddles are fun), pick-up (turbo lag? NOT) is explosive and car is extremely comfortable. Gas mileage is great (30.5 on a recent road trip) & the creature comforts are nice (open sky, cold wthr, premium pkgs.

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  Better than my Lexus!!! - 2006 Audi A4
  By sandy - August 25 - 2:43 pm

  I just love this car!! The quality is outstanding. I use the audi and my husband now has the Lexus R300. I got the better car if you ask me. The bose sound system is pure quality. The only complaint I would have, make the seats a little wider. Other than that this car is awesome and fun to drive... very fast.

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  New SUV is worth the wait! - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Diablo69 - August 25 - 11:41 am

  Handles like a sports car, or at least better than my previous Infiniti FX, and the FX is SMALLER. Brakes are powerful. Luxury features are everywhere. Engine sounds sweet and its powerful. MMI system is very logical and easy to use. I cant wait to take it skiing!

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  Those who "get it" love it. - 2006 Audi A3
  By TampaA3 - August 23 - 10:15 am

  Best car I have ever owned, period. The A3 is one of the best cars on the road and yet you will be hard pressed to find one next to you at the stop light. Most will not understand this car and just write it off as a "wagon" but the people who "get it" drool over it when they see it. I have enjoyed driving this car so much that I often go for drives just to enjoy it. I bought my 2.0T before the 3.2 was available. I have not driven the 3.2 for fear of wanting to upgrade. The power is more than sufficient in the 2.0. I got almost every option on the car except Nav which does send the price way up but its still a great car and a good value.

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  3 months & 10000 miles later! - 2006 Audi A3
  By AudiSoCali - August 21 - 3:43 pm

  Ive only had this vehicle 3 mos. but have managed to put it through its paces around so. cal. The car is everything I expected it to be. Practical, sexy, fun to drive. No cost maintenance has saved me a lot. The DSG is smooth and effortless, yet aggressive. The new 2.0 FSI engine is awesome. Even grandma would feel like Schumacher behind the wheel. Props to Audi for making an affordable, luxury, performance, "hatchback"!

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  Topless Audi is the Tops - 2005 Audi A4
  By ALLISON - August 20 - 4:20 pm

  I just purchased my Audi A4 Cabriolet after comparison shopping all of its competitorss convertibles. This car is much roomier than the BMW 3-Series and has more interior charm as well. In comparison to the SAAB, there is none. The handling is superb and the solidity of the car is astounding! It is extremely quiet, with no wind noise even at higher speeds. The options are easy to choose, but most models do have premium accomodations. I highly recommend taking one out for a test drive...You wont be sorry, youll be sold!