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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  Love Mine - 2006 Audi A3
  By KBh9183 - February 17 - 4:27 pm

  it was great from the start! maybe i am biased, but i think my audi is faster than most cars i meet on the road. the best part of the acceleration is when i am going about 60 and i need to pop around someone quickly. man, she has some pickup. the interior is stylish and roomy, considering the size of this car. the rear view mirror even has an automatic dimmer to keep headlights from behind out of my eyes. handles like a dream. i will continue to drive this car for quite a while, at least until i settle down with a family. then i intend to get an A8. i will always own an audi. no other car will do.

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  Buy a USED Audi - 1997 Audi A6
  By rchopee - February 17 - 4:05 pm

  I bought a 1997 Audi A6 with 70,000 miles about 3 years ago for $13000 CDN. It needed a steering rack when I bought it. Since that time I replaced the catalytic converters, ignition switch and brakes and tires. Probably 1500.00 average for repairs. It runs great and if you do the math, it is the only way to buy a safe luxury car. I absolutely love it. About a year ago I was rear ended. The other car had to be towed away, and I had a small licence plate mark in the paint. Id buy another Audi in an instant.

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  Tonys toy - 2005 Audi TT
  By Tony - February 17 - 12:14 pm

  I have owned my 3.2 TT for 15 months and have driven over 20,000 miles with it. The best thing is Im stationed in Germanny with the US Army and as we all know there are no speed limits on the German autobahns! I purchased a european spec model because I wanted to insure the motor could take the sustained high speeds. Im here to tell you that the TT is a great car to drive especially when you like to drive 130-150 MPH for miles and miles. Ive had no problems with the car and love to get in and drive as fast as I want on the autobahns. The car handles like a dream at speeds over 130 MPH.

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  Amazing Car for its Age - 1993 Audi 100
  By BTown1211 - February 13 - 1:50 pm

  I bought this Audi after 12 years of age and you cant even tell that its 12 years old. Best purchase I ever made in my life thus far, and certainly never switching back to any other car made by any other trying competitor.

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  Great auto - 2003 Audi A4
  By awags38 - February 13 - 10:00 am

  Puttting the top down on this car is a breeze. The handling even though only a front wheel drive is like driving a real sports car. Transmission is so smooth it really is a fantastic automobile.

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  Wonderful addition to your garage - 2006 Audi A3
  By Matt - February 12 - 11:51 am

  I had always owned Japanese cars but when I test drove the A3, I was purely amazed. This car drives like a dream -- stable, sporty, responsive -- but also quiet and luxurious. Sure, lots of parts are clearly shared with a VW counterpart, but this car has a feeling of luxury that not even a Passat can touch.

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  TT Quattro Coupe - 2001 Audi TT
  By 2 Dr. quatto Turbo A - February 9 - 3:19 am

  This is the most wonderful car on the road. It rates, to me, first class in everything. Drive one for yourself. The price is worth the car. I constantly have strangers come up to me and ask what kind of car it is.

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  My first Audi - 2007 Audi A4
  By lubian - February 9 - 1:16 am

  I leased the Audi A4 2.0T CVT with premium package and I was amazed by the powerful engine, fuel economy and interior quality. It is fun to drive and a very good looking car.

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  Nice car - 2006 Audi A6
  By john - February 8 - 8:48 pm

  I have owned many Audis from the A8 on down. This is my 3rd A6. They have always been nice to look at but were short on driving dynamics. This car drives like no other audi I have driven, including the current S4. It is a large car that drives like a BMW. The steering/road feel is all there. I have had no problems so far and have very little to complain about. There are always things that disappoint like making the trip computer at option on a 49k sticker car. This has always been an Audi hallmark. My 85 4000Q had it standard. Other than the little stuff, this car rocks. jm

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  best car!! - 2004 Audi A4
  By audi a4!!! - February 7 - 10:00 am

  this has been the best car ever. compared to a the smaller engine bmw which the audi tops that and the 1.8t is all the power you need. its great to drive and fun. and you get the good looks!