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 Sedan with Prestige Package - 2009 Audi A4
  By anchor5072 - March 6 - 12:46 pm

  Purchased two days ago and drove over the weekend. Car is beautiful inside and out. Handles like a dream. Very comfortable. Virtually all functions are automated. Using the MMI takes some work, but once you get the hang of the info entry process, it works for most of the different functions. Several reviews stated that someone shorter than 54" might have some problems with the drivers seat position. My wife is 52" and had no problem getting into a comfortable driving position. Back seat has enough room and the trunk is large for this class of car. I would recommend test driving the 2.0T, as is performs quite well.

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  Keep accelerating--it will go eventually - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By First and Last Audi - March 6 - 10:00 am

  The acceleration lag in this car in everyday city driving is horrible. In "D" mode, very high RPM before it shifts through the lower gears. "S" mode is a little better. On several occasions, Ive stepped on the gas from a stop and literally nothing happens unless the accelerator is pumped. Good thing no oncoming traffic or I would have been a sitting duck. From what I have read on this site, this is not unusual. Anyone have any solid feedback from Audi on this issue?

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  Audi R8 - 2008 Audi R8
  By Myke - March 6 - 8:43 am

  This is one amazing piece of craftsmanship. Audi has really stepped up their game far beyond what they have ever been. The only downfall is everything is a option. It made it so much more pricey. I know its money well spent, but its like Ferrari, everything is an option. The sound system, bluetooth connection, navigation system and the convenience package are all worth paying for. The performance from this vehicle is such a dream. It changes direction so effectively. The braking is okay, a little touchy, but it stops the car in short distances. Its a manufactured perfection basically.

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  Used but perfect!! - 2005 Audi A4
  By PWH - March 2 - 4:32 pm

  After looking around for a new A4 Cab, I decided to save some bucks and get one with all the bells and whistles. No disappointments here... great car, perfect size, appointments and styling. Ive had many near and full luxury autos... this ones the best. All the performance but with an understated brand. Love this car!

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  Not worth the money - 2008 Audi A3
  By Mike - March 1 - 7:07 am

  Needed a hatchback for our big dog. At least got that goal accomplished. Other than that: short gear ratios (2,500 rpm at 60mph) ruin the gas mileage. No fun at all on highway / interstate. What is the point putting the GTI gearbox (built for 16 year olds) in an Audi? Same audience? Car seems to have some kind of slope sensor. Transmission doesnt shift up when going up hill. Car runs uphill at 3,000 rpm and need shift manually i.o. to save gas. DSG transmission is nice but hypersensitive. Its a roller coaster ride when car is cold. A/C has a mind of its own and takes a scientist to operate. Blower keeps changing speed. No homelink. No self-contained sun visor upgrade available.

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  13 not out - 2005 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By SPEEDBIRD 350 - February 28 - 3:13 pm

  I thought you may be interested from a UK review. This is my 13th Audi and our 2nd allroad. It is a 2.5 turbodiesel which is the most populat model over here. A tank of fuel produces 515 miles on the cruise. Petrol is too expensive here; US $10.41 per gallon. The turbo lag can be overcome by depressing accelerator a cm or so which gives it time to start spooling up. Allroads are superb vehicles and worth the slight premium over the Volvo.In the UK the A6 and Volvo are the biggest estate cars and more user friendly than pure SUVs. Built better than a BMW, more space than BMW and other drivers admire you but would never let a BMW out at a junction.

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  Great car, Infuriating Controls - 2008 Audi S8
  By Dave - February 27 - 8:45 pm

  Fantastic car. Great handling, styling and quality. The MMI controls will drive you insane. The simplest function becomes very complex. Turning on the heated seats, solar shade, etc. The navigation system - thought was broken. Numerious major addresses in major cities could not be found. Turns out for 2008 you dont enter the city, but the county of location. That is insane, Florida has like 50 counties. No idea, where one starts and stops.

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  Amazing car - 2007 Audi A4
  By AudimanS4 - February 27 - 5:40 pm

  I have now owned my 6th Audi (4th A4) and I will say for sure, Audi has come back to be the overall segment leader in the compact luxury car segment for the total package. I have already put over 5K miles on the car without a hitch, just got the first scheduled service for free. Even being front drive this car handles extremely well and the performance is much greater than expected for a 4 cylinder, thanks to direct injection. The "base" stereo system rocks as well as the Bose stereo from previous A4s. Heated seats arent really necessary in Arizona but have come in handy on a few cool nights. Overall fit and finish is unmatched by any other cars in class

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  Audi Gets It Right - 2008 Audi A5
  By LGA5 - February 25 - 10:53 pm

  Ive owned more than 18 cars over the past 23 years (mostly premium imports -- Audi, BMW, MB, Lexus, Acura), and the A5 is one of my favorites. Its an exceptional combination of style, performance, comfort and build quality. No car can do everything perfectly, but this one does so many things extremely well. I might even keep this car longer than a year or two.

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  A4 lemon? - 2008 Audi A4
  By wayne1984 - February 25 - 9:33 pm

  Had the car for 5 weeks and loved every minute. Hit 2115 miles, oil pressure light came on and car died. Threw a cam, needs entire engine rebuilt, possibly major design flaw with 08s. 4 weeks for repairs so far, and I still dont have it back. Im trying to get Audi to get me into a brand new replacement vehicle, but they arent budging ( they just want to fix it). I didnt pay a premium for a rebuilt car. So much for Audi quality