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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  Practical yet satisfying - 2007 Audi A3
  By lady - October 3 - 1:39 pm

  Finally got rid of my SUV for this joy. Drove it on 1200-mile (both ways) trips and seats were comfortable enough not to have to stop every 2 hours, fuel economy was impressive, and you feel like you are glued to the road at highway speeds. Trunk space leaves a little to be desired since you cant even fit golf clubs back there without folding the seats down. Great car though. Wish you could get the options offered on the web at the dealerships without having to buy the entire packages.

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  The Great. Audi Converitable Silver - 2017 Audi A5
  By Sheena Trask - October 2 - 9:09 pm

  If its been recked an if. It was a one person owener . an test drive it . How. Many miles to the gallon it gets. In town an out.

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  Awesome Audi Avant Manual 6 - 2006 Audi A4
  By Scott - September 29 - 9:53 pm

  My 2006 Avant 3.2 manual has the premium, s-line, cold and titanium packages. I defected from BMW. This car has great handling with understated looks but still gets stares. The manual shifts crisply and the power through all gears is great. It really pulls through each one when you step on the gas. The only problem so far is an annoying rattle in the dash. Dealer says they charge for labor on rattles after 12k miles. Audi USA says its covered under warranty. This is the only disappointment on the car. Stereo, Bluetooth are great. I love the dash. The white and red contrast is very sporty and lux.

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  I love this car! - 2004 Audi A4
  By sun goddess - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I thought I might get tired of this car with the expensive monthly payment but I just love it more and more. It is such a quiet, smooth ride inside, even on the highway. It is so much fun to drive. I dont mind my 25 mile commute to work. I love my heated seats. I would never buy leather seats without them. I love the 200 watt bose speaker syster. I cant say enough about this car. Ive had it for 9 months and am still in love with it. Im always staring at it. Thanks Audi!

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  a4-station wagon review - 2004 Audi A4
  By redmaiden - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I had an Volvo Suv which is a great car but too much for this small girl to handle or see out of...It takes driving a big vehicle to make you miss the handling and easy maneuvering of a smaller car. This is the closest thing to driving a BMW 5 series--has a really tight feel and response with the added cache of all wheel drive! I drove the BMW 3 series, which handles well, but the interior was inferior to the Audi!

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  My A4 - 2006 Audi A4
  By MyAfour - September 26 - 4:30 pm

  If you want a car that gets noticed, is fun to drive, handles great, has a beautiful interior and just makes you feel good, then check out the new 2006 Audi A4. I have the 2.0T Quattro. The car is quick as a whip and the all wheel drive makes you feel glued to the road. Handles great in the rain and secure in snowy weather. All I can say is way to go Audi.

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  Techno Car - 2016 Audi A6
  By John Konther - September 26 - 4:13 pm

  A great driving car. Handles well, great pick-up. For those of you who are technologically challenged, there is a lot to learn about many of the features of the car.

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  audi = porsche, without envy - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Victor - September 25 - 10:00 am

  This is a wonderful car to drive. It is fast, comfortable and easy to handle. My previous car was a BMW 633 csi. My new Audi may not be as flashy, but it is every bit as fun to drive. Also it doesnt evoke envy, which is a nice aspect since I live in a university town.

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  Love my Audi TT Mark II - 2008 Audi TT
  By Floridacarwiz - September 24 - 11:23 pm

  Took delivery in late July after ordering the 1st of May. Could not be happier. My last convertible was 17 years ago, a Silver Buick Reatta. Reatta needed more power and was much heavier than the TT and had vague steering compared to razor sharp feel now. I flashed the chip with APR software and the car moves very responsively and smoothly. Also replaced the fogs with PIAA HIDs and put in bright amber DRLs. I plan to install an air intake system and rework the exhaust in the near future. The car will be a project, with mods installed as they come to market. I may even put in a higher- performance turbo in the future, with nitrous being considered.

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  Marriage Material - 2002 Audi A4
  By Diamonte - September 24 - 10:56 pm

  My wonderful Uncle has always told me to marry a Woman whos well rounded. After close to one year of brain numbing research for the most well rounded car on the market, the A4 came up as the bearer of that title. From its sexy yet classy exterior lines to its elegant and ergonomic interior to its refined performance to its long list of standard/optional features to its industry leading safety to its value pricing-you cant go wrong when picking this car as your all around everyday car.