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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  2008 Audi A6 4.2 - The Perfect Car - 2008 Audi A6
  By bofam - August 5 - 10:42 pm

  My previous car was a Porsche Cayenne S, a 350 hp nimble beast of an SUV. It was a blast to drive. I thought I would never find a replacement. The Porsche is a distant memory now that I am driving the Audi A6 4.2. It is nice to be driving a sedan instead of an SUV. The ride is super smooth, quiet and with 350 hp this car can really take off. Audi has done a fantastic job with the fit and finish as well as integrating state of the art technology without overloading the instrument bay. The outside of the car is elegant and tasteful. The 2008 A6 4.2 comes standard with the S-Line font grille and bumpers which add a nice flare to the body.

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  Blown Away by the S8 - 2007 Audi S8
  By JBrem - August 5 - 5:14 pm

  The S8 is the German automobile perfected. Flawless engine, superior ride and handling, classic styling and the absolute best interior available at any price point. Compared to the Jaguar XJ8 much more refined. Compared to the BMW 750/760 better in almost every way ergonomically. Also far superior interior. Compared to the Mercedes S550 again the interior is more luxurious and the engine blows the S550 away.

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  Get radar detector - 2007 Audi A3
  By pdo - August 4 - 11:25 am

  Car has open sky, premium, illumination and cold weather package. A blast to drive. Great engine/transmission. Great acceleration. Ride is solid and tight. Steering feels great. Interior design is excellent. Sound system is great. Like a video game on the highway quick downshift (not that you have to) and 80 becomes 100 in a blink.

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  Ultra Sport - 2004 Audi A4
  By Jeron - August 4 - 10:00 am

  Get the ultra sport package at all cost! This is the difference maker (look-wise). I lowered suspension, 18" wheels and aluminum trim make the A4 a beautiful piece of machinery. I got my A4 through Costcos automotive program (Beverly Hills Audi). I saved over $2000.

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  Great Car - 2006 Audi A3
  By igo380 - August 3 - 3:36 am

  The 3.2 A3 is a great car. WAF is huge, she wont let me drive it anymore. Sport suspension, fast, handles great. Well worth the money. With only a few coming into the states, get one when you can. Guaranteed not to disappoint. DSG and 3.2 makes it a sports car with extra room. Nicely done!

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  S6 is the bomb! - 2007 Audi S6
  By CLP - August 2 - 10:38 pm

  Simply an awesome vehicle. The V10 engine is unlike any other and the overall balance of the vehicle at high and low speeds is perfect. Interior features such as bluetooth, iPod integration, speech recognition are easy to learn and enjoyable. Interior comfort is superb and four people fit comfortably. A car that makes you want to drive more.

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  Drives like a 4-door Porsche - 2003 Audi A6
  By GFR - August 2 - 10:41 am

  The Bi-Turbo and sports suspension makes this car a blast to drive.

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  Great Convertible - 2007 Audi A4
  By LuxCars925 - July 30 - 11:15 pm

  I selected the wood trim instead of the aluminum. The car is very fun to drive, and Quattro is amazing. The fact that you can get it nicely equipped at about 46k is pretty nice too. I had the Premium and Convenience Packages, along with the Bose sound system. No MMI or Bluetooth. However, Bluetooth is pointless in a convertible if you have the top down. The wind deflector and heated seats are invaluable and they help you drive the car a lot later into the year. Digital climate control is standard, a nice touch over BMW or Mercedes. The CD player is an in-dash 6 disc. The changer moves to the glovebox if you get MMI. It also plays MP3 discs, which is handy.

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  So far... - 2008 Audi A4
  By newaudi - July 29 - 5:06 pm

  I just picked up my new Audi A4 quattro 2.0T and cant get over this car. Ive only had it a week, but Ive been entirely impressed thus far. The feel and ride are just great, solid and smooth. Handling is sure and secure. I owned a 2001 VW Jetta GLX previously and was a little unsure of going back to a four cylinder, but the power of the 2.0T feels even better than the V6 in the Jetta. I was also concerned about engine noise and gas mileage. The growl of the Audi exhaust makes me smile and Im getting about the same in mileage as I was in the Jetta - made the switch back to a 4 cylinder worth it. I got the Audi loaded up with extras.

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  2001 Audi A6 2.8 - 2001 Audi A6
  By gwood - July 29 - 9:59 am

  I purchased my A6 2.8 used in 2002. It was in perfect condition and had low miles. It was, and still is, a beautiful car and a pleasure to drive. At the time of purchase, my commute to work was about 32 miles one way on interstate highway. Speeds where high and traffic heavy. I always felt safe in my Audi due to their reputation and side curtain air bags. I love everything about this car except its lousy maintenance history. It has been a very expensive (dollars and time) car to own. I can live with components wearing out and needing replacement but the continual oil leaks are unacceptable. It seems that Ive had every gasket and seal replace on the engine, drive train and power steering.