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 even better than expected - 2004 Audi A4
  By 204mecca - July 7 - 1:32 am

  My wife wanted this car more than I did. Not only did she love the design, her bad back loved the seats. I wanted a smaller, less expensive car, something like an Acura TSX or Mazda3, By special ordering a low optioned FWD version, we kept the cost down. It has provided us with 38000 miles of trouble free, comfortable, low operating costs driving. I am sure that the other choices would not have been as comfortable for long trips nor gotten as a better MPG. I am more than glad we got the A4!

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  2003 Audi A4 1.8T CVT - 2003 Audi A4
  By Darwin - July 5 - 12:19 am

  Compared to a reliability of a Honda Accord, I rate the reliability of this car to 8 out of 10, 10 being a Honda. Problems I encountered include driver side window rolling down on its own due to sensitive anti-pinch protection (4 dealer trips to fix), moonroof moving on its own (switch keeps going bad), driver side speakers going in and out. Good mileage (26 mpg), nice interior/exterior. CVT has a slight delay, which is sometimes annoying. Sound system is good even for a basic system (except for the speaker problem).

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  Love my S6 - 2007 Audi S6
  By JRM - July 4 - 2:23 pm

  Compared to Jag, BMW M5, MB E63, Audi seemed to have the best value for performance and interior quality. Ride a little firmer than my CTS-V, but its not punishing. MPG average on the city/highway was 19, not bad for such a large car. Trunk is huge, seats are wonderful. The nav, radio, satellite, bluetooth phone controls are easy to learn. It is as fast as my CTS-V was, but much more sophisticated. Dont see any S6s on the road, which is nice. Havent found any negatives yet. Good choice if youre looking for a quick, comfortable, roomy four door sedan. And it was a lot less $ than the benz and bimmer.

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  Nice Near-Luxury Compromise Convertible - 2003 Audi A4
  By JJoNNeSS - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I went with 3x black with everything cept the navigation. Car is a nice compromise if you want a stylish, sporty conv., but need the back seat (kids) and a smoother, quiet ride than a roadster. MUST adjust the steering wheel and seat if adult sits in the back. Car is not 2 fast off the line due 2 its weight. Extra structure makes the car solid & quiet. Ill probably switch 2 a roadster once my youngest is older. Drove Z3, MR2 Spider, C70, Honda, etc. This car beats them for driving comfort, but doesnt have that shot-out-of-a-canon feel... It beats the Lexus for design. Had problems with the rear windows not going down the whole way.

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  A4 3.0 Quattro Sport - 2003 Audi A4
  By utahsnowrider - July 4 - 2:00 am

  An excellent car. 3 month/5000 mile review, had to wait for winter use before reviewing. I had a BMW 325xi picked out until I drove the A4. Many more features, larger trunk, larger motor, better vehicle for $3800 less. Smooth, quiet, handles well on snow packed roads, will slide on ice like all vehicles can. MPG is same as listed on window sticker. I suppose I could drive a little less aggressive but that wont happen in this fun car. A little slow off the line, but that ends quickly in the mid-range power band.

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  Good Choice In Entry-Level Sports Luxury - 2004 Audi A4
  By bc0203 - July 4 - 2:00 am

  The A4 has a substantial feel, with class-leading interior which boasts high quality materials and several thoughtful touches throughout. On the road, the A4 is a very capable highway cruiser and canyon-carver, with plenty of mid-range oomph and superb handling. There is no real "turbo lag," just a sensation of being propelled ever more rapidly that builds above 2,000 RPM. Shifts are smooth, with precise feel, though the clutch does have longish travel. Seat-of-pants communication is terrific, with a good balance between ride and handling.

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  Awesome, Awesome, Awesome - 2003 Audi A4
  By bate119 - July 3 - 9:52 pm

  Audis Quattro AWD is simply breathtaking. Snow, ice or rain, this car cuts through it like butter. In fact, we used it instead of our Ford Explorer in the snow, ice and rain last winter. Its also easily the best handling car Ive ever owned! German engineering at its best! The red lights illuminate the dashboard at night, incluing two red LEDs that project downward from the ceiling, creating a cockpit-like environment. I am now a dedicated Audi driver forever, never follow!

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  This car was built for me. Incredible!! - 2007 Audi S8
  By johnnyb - July 3 - 7:10 pm

  I traded in a BMW 645 Cabriolet for the S8 and at the time was worried that I might miss the BMW. After 4 days of driving the S8, I can honestly say that I made the right move. And I moved up in a big way.

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  AUDI - Accelerates under demonic influen - 2002 Audi A4
  By Car-Fan - July 2 - 10:00 am

  This car is not for anyone that likes acceleration of the start. The build quality is fine and the interior build quality is fine, but if you like performance this car is not for you

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  Fun - 2003 Audi TT
  By noxdr - July 1 - 9:55 am

  Got it used and had it for a year. It turned out to be what it was advertised to be - fun and great to drive. Very good acceleration, handling, fantastic in the snow with snow tires.