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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  1999 Audi Wagon - 1999 Audi A6
  By Shane - March 11 - 4:58 pm

  My wife got the car 10 days ago and she loves it!

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  Amazing - 2007 Audi Q7
  By evltrpl - March 10 - 11:58 am

  I have owned about 26 cars in my life and several Audis, but this is by far the most complete package, fun to drive, comfortable, well made, vehicle I ever owned. It is a true pleasure to drive, and it is beautiful, inside and out. Everything is well thought as always on Audis. This the best SUV in this class hands down.

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  Superb vehicle - remarkable in every way - 2007 Audi Q7
  By johnnyb1 - March 10 - 10:55 am

  I replaced my 6th GMC Yukon/Denali with this S-Line Q7 and could not be happier. The Q7s build quality is absolutely outstanding and the features are awesome. Vehicle is rock solid on freeway and handles like a much smaller and lighter vehicle. Exhaust note is really fun. My other car (for summer) is a BMW 645 CiC. Im averaging 15 mpg over 4,000 miles. I can just begin to feel the engine opening up.

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  sporty & fun to drive - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Tkylo - March 10 - 10:00 am

  Im extremely happy with my purchase. The car is extremely safe & well built. I needed something safe to drive around in with my family. I also love the allroad feature plus that you can raise & lower the vehicle, this came very handy with all the snow that we had this year. The vehicle really sticks to the road. It has a sporty appearance & the quality & elegance of German engineering. I also own an Audi A4 and remain a loyal Audi customer. The Service departments & customer service are excellant. You are treated like a King.

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  Audi won out over BMW 3 series and Saab - 2003 Audi A4
  By audi convert - March 10 - 10:00 am

  For years Id dreamed of a BMW . . .then I could actually afford one. When I went car shopping, I loved the BMW but the newly designed Saab caught my eye. They both lost my vote after I drove the A4 Quattro. The car simply handled more smoothly and hugged the road even in wet conditions. Been driving it now for 3000 miles and still thrilled with it.

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  Great car, maintenance expensive - 1999 Audi A4
  By Strahd - March 8 - 5:58 pm

  I have never had any part fail on me in 90k miles. It has however been expensive to keep just the regular dealer-recommended maintenance schedule. It seems like no matter what I get replaced, its $1000. But car still runs great, starts every time without problem in Boston winters and still gets compliments 8 years later.

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  Excellent ride - 2007 Audi Q7
  By NY_Driver - March 7 - 9:13 pm

  Just leased an Audi Q7 4.2. Added dvd nav, sunroof, technology pkg etc. The Q7 is not only a fun drive but secondly also extremely useful in hauling people and stuff comfortably. No problem in terms of accelerating up hills or moving getting around slower vehicles. Interior is one of the finest I have been in with everything laid out nicely and easily reached. The MMI takes a little bit of getting use to but now I have no problems. Fuel mileage isnt great (13 mpg so far) but I doubt anyonewho bought this vehicle is worried about the cost of filling the tank.

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  Best Car Out There - 2006 Audi A4
  By cjalex - March 6 - 1:57 pm

  If there were a stability award for most stable convertible on the road, then the A4 cabriolet would win it! I loved driving my cabriolet, especially because I live in Florida. I had a couple problems with it, but other than that, it was perfect. I recommend this car for someone who is looking for a sports luxury compact convertible all in one, for a reasonable price. I especially like the interior design.

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  What a great design - 2002 Audi A4
  By Mike B - March 6 - 9:01 am

  The drivers experience is clearly what the engineers had in mind when designing this car. The engine delivery and transmission shifts are silky smooth. The turbo layout turns a usually puny 1.8 litre 4 banger into a fun and almost organic feeling torquey little animal! Audi has designed the drivetrain well. The interior and exterior both have the same concept in mind. Clean and sexy lookin. Some of my friends chuckle at me getting the wagon but I love it. Its just way to versitile to pass up. I play hockey and have a Big German Shepherd. I need the space. The other day I had three big dogs in the back and they all had room to lie down and relax on our trip.

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  This car is wonderful. - 2003 Audi S6
  By maastrichtian - March 5 - 3:27 pm

  Recently purchased this car Audi CPO. Drove it 1000 mi home - It was like a vacation. This car is perfect. Everything from the dashboard lights to the advanced braking system work in perfect harmony. Some notes: leather seats without alcantara insets are simply TOO slippery for spirited driving. I spent a lot of my trip home planted to the door because I slipped out of my seat. (Learned to offset that a little by stomping on the dead pedal.) Probably wouldnt be an issue for a wider person. Yes, you get terrible mileage. It IS worth it. If youre doing mostly highway miles (like me), youre getting about 18 mpg, which isnt horrible. City? Hopefully you dont drive very many miles :)