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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  Allroad - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By trcross - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Great looks, many compliments. Not too many around so it has a great appleal. Excellent fit and finish. Poor full ecomony, but does have fulltime 4 wheel drive. Very fast pickup, but sensitive throttle. I have about 10,000 miles on the car with zero problems. I really enjoy driving this car.

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  My A6 - 2007 Audi A6
  By Jim Connell - May 13 - 6:12 pm

  I have had this car for 3 months and 2100 miles, city and highway driving. It is easy to maneuver, solid in good and bad weather, very comfortable and very stylish. The MMI has become second nature and is really a lot of fun. The car has computer power that exceeds many desktops.

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  The A4 has grown up - 2006 Audi A4
  By Paul - May 12 - 3:16 pm

  I just traded in my 1999 1.8T (manual) A4 Avant for a 2006 2.0T with an automatic transmission. They feel like 2 different cars and I love them both. The 2006 feels more luxurious and adult-like, but it isnt a floaty car. I feel a tad more removed from the road in the new one but it handles like a dream. It is a blast to drive on twisty,hilly roads. It feels so solid too and the brakes are amazing. I hear the new A3 drives like my old A4. That makes sense.

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  Wow - 2005 Audi S4
  By s4pimpdaddy - May 12 - 10:13 am

  Wow, what a machine. I upgraded from a Volkswagen GTI to this and this car is light years ahead of anything else Ive ever driven. The AWD is flawless, the Recaro leather seats hold you in, and the quality of the interior is second to none. My only gripe about this car is the awful gas mileage.

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  Great Ride - 2005 Audi A6
  By QT - May 10 - 8:56 pm

  My husband and I were originally looking at the 540i and decided on a whim to go to Audi in which we found we got more options for the same price. The ride if smooth and comfortable. The car itself is a lot bigger than expected.

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  2007 S4 manual transmission - 2007 Audi S4
  By Paul Lavelle - May 10 - 5:46 pm

  My 5th quattro in a row, but my 1st "S". It is a sublime rocket described as a compact, four door family sedan. It may be the one of the best "sleeper" cars currently available. Its power and brakes border or intrude on true sports car territory. The build quality is superb. It is bank vault solid with close to excellent feedback of the road and driving conditions. The exhaust note sold me on the car. It is a car enthusiasts Beethovens fifth. It will not attract unwanted attention but will certainly capture the onlookers attention as it roars past with the silky V8 at full song at 7000 RPM. Certainly my best car purchase to date and zero regrets.

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  2007 Audi S4 Avant - 2007 Audi S4
  By ericduncan - May 10 - 3:19 pm

  I bought the S4 Avant (specifically not the sedan) because I have dogs and they go everywhere with me. Im more than frustrated with the air circulation in this car. I live in Phoenix. Audi absolutely missed the boat when it comes to the comfort of anyone not sitting in the front. There are no air vents in the back (except on the floor) and while there are air vents in the back of the car, theyre only for defrosting and work only when heat comes through them. Im forced to drive my Volvo for four months out of the year because its literally cruel to have my dogs baking in the back (even though the a/c is on high). Dont buy this car unless you plan to only have one passenger.

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  One of the best Audis yet - 2007 Audi Q7
  By jm - May 9 - 6:54 pm

  My family has owned Audis ever since I can remember. There has always been at least one in the family when I was growing up. The second car was an assortment over the years and the Audis always outperformed them. I had to get the Q7 after trading in my A6. Acceleration and fuel economy is pretty good considering the vehicles size and weight. The interior is impeccable. Everything fits together and the materials are high quality. The three panel sunroof is a definite plus, and even though it is tight, the third row can be handy. Dont use it on a regular basis, but when Im in a pinch, it works out fine. With the third row folded, the trunk is extremely spacious the power liftgate helps a lot.

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  Best buy luxury SUV - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Best buy luxury SUV - May 9 - 3:33 pm

  I was previously driving a Mercedes R-350 before the Q7 was out, and when it came out I knew I had to drive it on looks alone. Im a 27 year old father and when I had to drive the R-350, I didnt enjoy it, because it looked like a minivan and it wasnt fun to drive. The Q7 was so much more masculine looking, it drove better, sat more people and most of all it wasnt a minivan.

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  Great car but... - 2004 Audi A8
  By King Daddi - May 9 - 3:01 pm

  I traded a 2001 BMW 740iL for the A8L. The car seems great but less than 3 weeks after I bought it, it was in the shop for a system failure and the entire dashboard display has to be replaced plus several other items. Check the service history. I was told by the tech that the 04s are "just temperamental". If you can, hold out for a 2006/07 Get a CPO and still under Audi warranty or you will be in big trouble. Gas mileage seem very poor.