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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  Best bang for the buck (amazingly) in its segment - 2014 Audi allroad
  By Ed P - May 6 - 10:00 pm

  I drove my smallroad from L.A. to Denver. I went from 117F in Death Valley to 37F on Vail Pass, all in the same day. The car had plenty of power cruising the straights of I-15. I calculated my MPG during the trip, and it came out to 29mpg (rated 27mpg highway). Thats including climbing from sea level up to CO. I have the Sport Package with the Sport Seats, and they were very comfy for my 1000mile trip. Theres all sorts of supports that you can change to make sure no single part of your body is aching from sitting in the same spot for too long. I planned to break the trip up into two days, but I just love driving this thing too much, so I soldiered on through the night. 12noon to 5am. Done and Done. My only beef would be that while the xenon headlights are plenty bright, they might be aimed a little too low for me. It was easy to overdrive them ;) ;) ;) Theres plenty of brightness to project further ahead, but not sure if it would result in blinding oncoming traffic or not. The MMI with Sirius is a godsend on a roadtrip. If you are in the market for a smallroad, get the updated version where the controls are near the center armrest and not on the center dash near where the radio is. Its so much easier to use that way.

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  The best SUV- $60K can buy - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Dan - May 6 - 9:51 pm

  Quattro-the most trustable all wheel drive system 350 hp with 325 torque gives an amazing performance. Most important, driving this big SUV feels like driving a sedan, not a truck at all. I love the interior, fit and finish, high quality materials with real wood and stainless steel and the exterior design is bold and elegant. I dont think there is anything better out there.

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  A6 Review - 2006 Audi A6
  By NK - May 4 - 10:09 pm

  The new A6 is out of this world! Fun to drive - great performance and excellent redesign especially the interior. Navigation system very user friendly.

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  Solid - 2006 Audi A3
  By dkimgonet - May 1 - 6:35 pm

  Coming down from driving 96 A6, this car gives me so much joy and fun for daily commute of 30 miles on busy freeway 10 in LA. I had such a fun driving A6 qattro for 5 years especially when I was in NY but this little brother is suprisingly solid for the price I paid for. I am sure its not a very difficult choice for most of folks who test drive this car to agree with me about this car but driving longer period of time just confirmed my decision further more. Drive it and enjoy your life and be a happy driver with this solid A3

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  understated coolness - 2006 Audi S4
  By nsribner - May 1 - 4:50 pm

  When I test drove this car for the first time, I was amazed at how fast I could go without realizing the actual speed. Now with 5000+ miles under me, I must say I love this car. Its very forgiving around corners, no matter how fast, it just turns. I used the shifting paddles on the way home from the dealer, as I went into sixth I looked down and was doing 140 mph, effortlessly. I have since found that it will go the limiter of 155, but did that very briefly. I do find that I drive around 90 mph on the highways and pass at over a hundred, just step on the gas at 70 or so and your instantly at 100. Ride is very comfortable. And the sounds this engin makes is music. S4 is one of my favorites.

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  Test drove it then..... - 2006 Audi A3
  By aw - April 29 - 10:02 pm

  had to have it!! I bought the last one on the lot, a red base 2.0 with a six speed m.t. This car is a blast....has a bottomless well of torque and a (very subjective) perfect balance between ride and handling. Transmission is positive and quick. The motor is a gem - NO turbo lag and just a sly hint of that distinctive suck/whine that blown engines have. I love this thing.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 2006 Audi S4
  By esam1 - April 29 - 5:52 pm

  The S4 Cabriolet is beautiful inside and out, performs like no other cruiser-sports car, and commands a price that is less than its competition by thousands. There is no car Id rather own- unless youre talking about the RS4 Cabriolet (but I wouldnt want such bad gas mileage right now)!

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  Very Sweet Ride!!! - 2006 Audi A3
  By Chef - April 28 - 4:13 pm

  I drove a lot of cars, some much more expensive, before buying the A3 and I couldnt be happier. The build quality, ride, handling, and power development in this car is excellent, especially at the price paid. The technology with the FSI engine is class-leading which includes a factory front mounted intercooler and forged engine components that should last a long time. The fuel mileage started off only fair at a mixed 20mpg, but over the first 3k miles improved to 25mpg. I attribute the slightly lower mileage to my heavy foot and the cars speed inspiring exhaust notes. An ECU chip brings this engine to max performance with 240+hp & 275+torque, a true monster!

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  I wake up everyday excited to drive it. - 2004 Audi S4
  By raji1278 - April 27 - 11:53 pm

  This is my only car and it fills all my needs without ever complaining. My best analogy for this car would have to be the story, "Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". When needed, the car will get you to and from work, run errands, cruise across the country, whatever, all in a surprising amount of comfort. But, when you desire to have some fun with the car, it seems to transform into an absolute beast! It will pin you into the seat and scare the hell out of your passengers! Admittedly, the M3 performs slightly better in some categories, but its also a VERY high-strung car, not nearly as comfortable to drive on a daily basis.

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  Tremendous Car - 2004 Audi S4
  By waxonwaxoff - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Had the car 3 days. Wow, what a car, dont want to get out of it. Own 98 cobra as well and this car moves, but with serious class. Styling is impeccable with the aluminium trim and leather/suede seats. Ride is very firm, but not jarring and holds the road like glue. Felt very safe in drive home in the snow.