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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  Fun to Drive/True Luxury - 2008 Audi A8
  By Wonderful to Drive - May 4 - 7:41 pm

  I love this A-8. After owning various Jaguars, Lexus (which was also terrific), Infinity Q-45, various BMW models and other luxury vehicles, the Audi A-8 is by far...the best. The interior is true luxury, the ride is exceptional, we love the Nav system which also operates most functions of the vehicle,and the stereo system is terrific. Exceptional fuel mileage too! When I am ready to trade in this vehicle I believe I will get another Audi.

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  Fun, fun, fun car - 2008 Audi TT
  By audifun - May 4 - 5:29 pm

  This car is simply a blast to drive. I have the basic 4cyl turbo model and it flies. Car is built to be driven hard. I have a stop and go and highway commute and its is happy doing both. It is tight and responsive and loves to be pushed. Driving this car will actually make you smile every single time you get in. You will find yourself looking for reasons to go for a drive. Everyone will look at you in this car simply b/c there are so few out there on the road. Truly a fun car to own and pleasure to drive

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  Almost perfect - 2008 Audi A5
  By houstontechguy - May 3 - 11:06 pm

  I am a huge fan of Audis, and this one takes the cake. Its got a gorgeous body shape (kudos to Walter deSilva), perfect watchmaker-quality interior, and is oh-so-fun to drive. Its not a barnburner like the S5, but its more than adequate for me and will save me a few speeding tickets. Ive had so many second glances, head turns, and people stopping me in parking lots and traffic lights to ask about it. I actually like the fact that theyre very rare and will slowly trickle onto the market over the next 1-2 years. For people who like to blend in the crowd and follow the status quo, then go buy a boring BMW (with crap interior and total crap stereo/tech). This A5 is for me!

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  This is an awesome SUV Alternative - 2008 Audi A4
  By Nick - May 3 - 10:48 pm

  My other vehicles are 911 turbo, Mustang GT convertible, Cayenne S. This vehicle has become my favorite. I can drive it over highway 17 in California with vigor. I drove it to Tahoe with the family, a roof box and a lot of gear. It was a blast. It compensated well on icy patches and blasted through the snow. I can put my golden retriever in the back, pick up the family and still enjoy the ride. The S mode and paddle shifters make this a stealth sports car. I enjoy the "S" suspension features and the mileage of the 2.0T. It feels like a Porsche station wagon. I predict that these wagons will see a resurgence in the near future. The Avant gets 22 around town and 28 highway.

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  Love this car - 2004 Audi A6
  By G - May 3 - 3:23 pm

  Interior build is A. Feels like true luxury car. Great handling/cornering. Family feels safe in this car.

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  Dont Buy an Audi - 2007 Audi A4
  By Dont Buy - May 3 - 1:19 pm

  Several issues with the vehicle 1) Engine Noise - the car sounds like a diesel. Not Quiet it will bother you. Dealer says that is the injectors 2) Brand new Car that burns oil according to Audi corp the engineering tolerances allow for a quart to be burned every 1200 miles - All I can say is WOW. This is a serious problem that will cause engine failure in the Future 3) The HID Lights vibrate. Taken in on several occasions there is an NTSB release on this safety issue. AUdi wont do anything about it till someone dies. 4) Poor Value. Poor Resale Value. 5) TURBO LAG . . . . Turbo Lag. Step on the Gas Pedal and count 2 missisippi. God forbid you need to quickly accela

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  ! - 1999 Audi A4
  By AH - May 3 - 10:00 am

  Excellent car, but may feel a bit small, especially in the back seat. For driving and a sense of security and control - none better. Couldnt beat it on snow and ice (I came out of a SAAB, thought that one was good before getting into the AUDI. Dealership very good incl service

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  2002 Audi A4 - 2002 Audi A4
  By BestAudi - May 3 - 10:00 am

  I love the double exhaust. In and out, the car feels great. I was glad I didnt get the Passat. More importantly, I chose this car over the likes of C-Class and the 3-Series.

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  Audi A4 - 2002 Audi A4
  By MarkyM - May 3 - 10:00 am

  As close to being a perfect car. Everyone who hops into my new car gets wowed by the interior. This is especially true at night. But there is some getting used to in terms of the perfect seat positioning, as I came from a sport coupe.

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  2002 Audi A4 - 2002 Audi A4
  By BestAudi - May 3 - 10:00 am

  This car is a beaut. Its a good competition with the 3-series...I love everything about it. If I had more dough, I wouldve bumped up for the 3.0 or wait for the S4. But for now, Im smiling everyday.