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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  Solid as a Rock - 1998 Audi A4
  By Audi in Seattle - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my A4 used with the Audi Assured warranty -- a good bet. After 3 months a cracked tie rod boot only cost me the $50 warranty deductible instead of $400. People mistake the car for brand new even though it has over 50,000 miles on it.

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  Wish Id NEVER bought this car! - 2003 Audi A4
  By LLL - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I test drove a lot of cars before I purchased the Audi and this one seemed like the most fun and by far looked the best. That was where the fun ended...Radio went dead after 1 week, one headlight went out, then another a few months later, then had to pull over on a major highway because coil pack went bad at which time the tire also shredded (which Audi refused to replace), air conditioner smells like mildew and now neither gas gauge registers. Now Im in the process of getting rid of the Audi (which no one will buy for more than 19K and I paid 31K for it brand new and fully loaded 10 months ago). So much for a fun car!

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  Best used car I have ever purchased - 2002 Audi TT
  By tim - April 30 - 1:45 pm

  Purchased used in Jan 07 in NY (I live FL), certified and only 19800 miles on car. No problems at all, runs great and I replaced the ugly rims with something that finishes the car much better than stock wheels. Averaged 28 miles to the gallon on trip back from NY... this car will be a classic one day.

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  Awesome Audi - 2006 Audi TT
  By M B - April 29 - 9:27 am

  The 2006 Audi TT 225HP Roadster is a blast to drive. It handles very well thanks to AWD and can fly in the straightaways also.

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  Love the Car but Repairs are Too Costly - 2000 Audi A6
  By Jenn - April 29 - 9:01 am

  Overall I am grateful for the exceptional handling, especially fantastic in snow, but the expensive parts and repairs after ~70k miles have me disappointed in the long term value of this car. Just before the extended warranty ran out, I had the AM radio fixed (it had never worked). When I picked up the car I found that the warranty company had paid about $1,000 for that repair alone. Since then Ive been spending about $1.5k - 3k every six months on repairs. As noted in other reviews, CD player failed and LCD panel faded at about 80k. The cup holders are flawed. I also no longer run back to the dealer to pay $110 for diagnosing the Check Engine Light that comes on every 2-3 months.

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  Outstanding vehicle... hands down - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Randy - April 27 - 11:02 pm

  I am thrilled with this car. Fun to drive, comfortable for 6 adults, able to tow 6500 lbs., and unique among a sea of lookalikes. The 3.6 performs very well with an assertive growl and silky smooth acceleration. Punch it and it will GO!

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  2002 Audi S6 Avant - 2002 Audi S6
  By Genoa - April 27 - 4:08 pm

  This drives like a Porsche, but hauls Christmas trees, and all sorts of gear. Sexier than any minivan or SUV, but not noticed by speed cops. Great ski vehicle.

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  Audacious Audi! - 2007 Audi A4
  By Rick - April 27 - 2:01 pm

  Did my research... Audi A4 wins in most categories: fun to drive yet economical great design aspects, but not too cutting-edge very comfortable ride, and of course, excellent German engineering throughout. Its damn good looking, too!

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  2003 Audi A4 3.0 six speed - 2003 Audi A4
  By deme55 - April 27 - 10:00 am

  The 2003 A4 3.0 is a very well made vehicle. As with most German built cars, this A4 is very responsive, stable, and for the most part, comfortable. Soft with a slight rigid feel over bumpy road, very responsive with a tap on the accelerator, and corners extremely well although 3- series BMW have the edge in cornering. Along with gorgeous styling, the A4 is a sheer pleasure to drive.

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  Fun AWD sedan with sporting qualities - 2006 Audi A4
  By celivdc13 - April 27 - 7:26 am

  Ive loved my Audi since the day I picked it up. Build quality of the vehicle is amazing and the interior is top notch. The full time AWD system is great in any type of weather. It especially compliments the manual transmission providing little to not slip off the line. Engine is powerful and pulls like a v-6. Only thing I would change would be to order the S-Line sports package. You get the looks of the more expensive S4.