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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  great car, LOVE it!!! - 2006 Audi A4
  By barnbasher - March 5 - 2:50 pm

  The entire experience from the sales person to paperwork went smoothly. From the moment we drove the car off the lot, we knew we made the correct decision. Comparing the BMW 330 with our car, leaves us wondering why people are buying the other. From this moment on, we are going to own the Audi!

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  Perfect - 2007 Audi A8
  By huntin - March 5 - 11:16 am

  This car drives like a sports car and has the luxury you wish was in other sports cars. It has great speed and acceleration and can turn with ease. The leather seats are just fantastic for comfort.

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  Fun to drive - 2007 Audi A4
  By Bruinlover - March 3 - 4:18 am

  I have had this car two months and I love driving it. This car is really nimble and comfortable. The gas mileage is pretty good for a car that performs this well. There is a slight lag at take off but then it really picks up. Also, the car beeps way too much. For the money this is a great car.

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  Love my A4 - 2007 Audi A4
  By bencary - March 1 - 2:21 pm

  A long time Benz owner - drove the Audi on a whim and fell in love! I had forgotten how much fun driving could be - this thing rides like its on rails! Bought it as a 2nd car to keep miles off my ML350 and have to force myself to drive the SUV now.

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  Fully Mature, Past 100k - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By XCBIKER - March 1 - 10:00 am

  I am the third owner of this steroidal, German brute. This car was never designed to be a drag racer...so no need to treat it like one. Where this car truly shines is the open freeway and out in the open wild. Where can you get on-rail handling and passing power of a Porsche? Where can you charge down a snowy, dirt road at nearly 75mph with confidence? How about scale a 25% grade complete with ruts, roots and loam and not even break a sweat with wheel spin? Audi and its Torsen AWD is everything todays crossover/SUV owner wants. This car simply has Bentley comfort and Porsche performance. Is it worth the upkeep costs? YES. Life is too short to be driving dull, uninspiring cars!

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  Good Vehicle - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Pat OBrien - March 1 - 6:22 am

  Nothing really to gripe about. Excellent ride, real tight, no rattles. Plenty power and torque. All the bells and whistles. I like it. The styling is growing on me.

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  Near perfection! - 2007 Audi A4
  By Edward - February 28 - 11:05 pm

  With the new 3.2 A-4, Audi has designed, in my opinion, the BMW-killer. This car outdoes the 3-series in three important categories of performance, appearance, and overall value, with handling being a tie. Im so glad I kicked in the extra few thousand to get the 6-cyl. over the buzzy little turbo 4 cyl. It was well worth it, as the six gives you an extra 55 naturally-aspirated HP, which is noticeable on hilly roads as well as in passing situations. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!

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  Buyers Beware!! - 2005 Audi A4
  By neverbuyanaudi - February 28 - 10:01 pm

  Ive owned this car for 23 months and its been in the shop getting repaired for over 2 months. Replaced the computer, fuel tank, burned out lights, coolant leaks, trunk latch broke, seat belt switch, fuel injectors leaking fuel everywhere. Im tired of driving a rental car around. 7 times in the shop for repairs, costing me several hundred dollars from missing time at work to deal with these problems. Dont buy!!!!

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  Excellent Car - 2006 Audi A6
  By ak - February 27 - 1:18 pm

  Having been a loyal BMW driver for many years, it was hard to even consider buying an Audi. But with the less attractive styling of the BMW 5 series, i considered the Audi A6 and was very happy I did. The Audi doesnt quite have the pep and drive of a BMW, but the excellent Quattro all-wheel drive system and the incredibly attractive and comfortable interior make this car a real joy. Ive been very impressed by the cars quality and dependability.

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  Fun to drive, great car for a family! - 2007 Audi Q7
  By mamamiller - February 27 - 12:48 pm

  I am amazed at how well car seats fit in the 2nd and 3rd row! This car has been great for my family. The day after we purchased this car it snowed a lot. This SUV handles better in the snow than our other 2 cars, being a Toyota Tundra limited 4x4 and a Jeep Grand Cherokee limited alltime 4wheel drive. The seats are comfortable with different adjustable heat levels. Perfect for a family where one person is hot and the other cold, we each have our own temp. controls! An amazing car! Lots of room and it looks nice too! My only complaint is having a cell phone charger plugged in is slightly awkward. It drives like a car and suv combined. I am so impressed!