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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  Wolf in Sheeps Clothing - 2005 Audi A4
  By Bill - January 1 - 1:11 pm

  I am a 6-month owner of the 2005.5 A4 2.0T, and this car is a wolf in sheeps clothing. The only complaint about this car is the low level of torque under 2K RPMs ... after that, watch out!! The ride is like silk at 80MPH. The paint job is one of the best I have ever seen. The attention to building detail makes my former Volvo look embarassing. You notice the small things on detail over time (like the hangers in the trunk for groceries packed in plastic bags and the A4 manual compartment under the steering wheel, to keep you glove box empty and ready for anything you want. Finally, I just began to really use the triptonic manual shift and it is a hoot! You are in complete control of the car!

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  cool - 2003 Audi A4
  By johnb339 - January 1 - 10:00 am

  the best car ever

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  Audi A4 1.8T CVT - 2002 Audi A4
  By J. Amador - December 31 - 3:09 pm

  This is my second Audi (4000CS) and am very pleased with the performance and reliability of the car. We purchased the car used (3k) and had it shipped to Europe where it was driven till 05. The vehicle worked flawless!!! Had it up to 130MPH many times between Naples and Rome and always hugged the road. The CVT trans is great on gas as well as the 1.8T driving around town. Overall Id own another Audi. Glad I didnt get the 3.0 as it has more pickup power at the start but about the same as the 1.8T once you get going.

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  " A Real Treat" - 2006 Audi A8
  By Paul R - December 30 - 4:01 pm

  Leased a 2006 A8L for 36 mo. It was a pleasure from day one. Ive had 750 BMW in the past, but there is no contest between the 2 cars. Appearance, ride, all the well thought out trinkets made for a great product and pleasure to have. Mileage around town 15mpg and on the road (70-80mph) 24- 26mpg, not so bad. Try one, you cant go wrong.

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  W12 my best yet - 2005 Audi A8
  By W. Reymond - December 30 - 3:04 pm

  Having had several nice cars, Citroen SM, 928, A4, I find this the best overall designed car yet. The MPG was expected to be low, but that comes with a car of this performance. The features are extensive and useful, especially the adjustable ride which reminds me of the SM. I give this car my highest overall rating ever.

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  Wonder improvement - 2005 Audi A6
  By greg - December 27 - 10:19 pm

  I had a 2004 A6 and traded it for a 2005. The ride is vastly improved, as is the comfort and amenities. The gadgetry takes a little getting used to, but is well worth it. No complaints whatsoever.

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  Great Performance, Luxury for the dough! - 2006 Audi A3
  By Andy and Marcia - December 26 - 7:23 pm

  We bought our car after seeing one in a shopping mall. Took a test drive, loved it bought one blue, opensky, dsg, premium pkg for 31 k ... car is worth every dime. It drives like a dream , and is a blast to drive around town. We are both 6-0 and we have room in front even with folks in the back. We have owned an Avalon, Caravan, Blazer over the years and this is our first Audi. It may be entry level but it has a ton of bang for the buck !! Im telling all my 50 something pals about this car!! BMW and Mercedes watch out as this car blows you guys away. It is more fun to drive in a lot of ways than my 1973 Jensen Healey.

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  Fun with Luxury - 2006 Audi A6
  By leyla12 - December 26 - 6:07 pm

  This is my first Audi after owning several Lexus. I must say that the quality and performance is far supeior to what I have experienced with other brands. This car is fun, fun, fur to drive with all the luxury included.

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  A good performer - 2005 Audi A4
  By Pauly - December 25 - 3:45 pm

  Weve had this car for about a year now and its growing on me. I wasnt crazy about the car at first because the gas mileage was so terrible for a 4 cylinder. The car is very solid and I feel very safe in it. The AWD is awesome. Its my first car with AWD and I dont think Ill ever go back. This car is amazing at high speeds, in the snow, rain, etc. Handles like its on rails, doesnt sway, very stable, no rattles, etc. It handles better than my C5 Vette. 4 cyl, turbo is ample. Has more pick me up in the sport mode on the shifter. We just test drove a new 06 Lexus ES250 AWD and the Audi drives and handles better. It made me appreciate the Audi more.

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  I made the switch... you should too! - 2006 Audi TT
  By NewAudiLover - December 25 - 1:41 am

  I have owned BMWs and several Mercedes including two SLKs and I may never go back to those brands again. I was tempted to get the new SLK, but I decided to take a chance on the TT. I definitely made the right move. From interior and exterior styling that may be years old, but still ahead of the pack of newbies to comfort and handling... once you try out this car, you may never want to drive another again. I thought my Mercedes was fun, but all I want to do is just jump into this car and run to the store for nothing at all, just to be behind the wheel. Gas mileage is great as well and the meter which tells you how many miles you have left is priceless. I would recommend getting the audio pkg.