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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  Ultra-Sport Avant Ultra-Fun! - 2004 Audi A4
  By CVG - December 21 - 2:16 pm

  Just looking at the car makes me grin ear to ear. Great lines and inside it just continues, leather, feel-good dash, excellent sound system. Fast enough and brakes that actually do there job. Drove from Chicago to New Jersey with the wife and our two dogs. Fold-down rear seats with built-in dog screen, the tops! I have become an Audi enthusiast! The dealership was top notch along with the salesman. The service incredible.

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  All about the Design - 1997 Audi A6
  By Daniel V. Payer - December 20 - 6:46 am

  The two main reasons I picked my 97 Audi A6 were its AWD and the exterior design. I live in Idaho and like to ski. This car goes up the mountains with no problem. And looks great downtown. I didnt like the look of the 1998 models coming out. The 97 A6 is flatter, not so rounded like every other car on the market. More like a race car. The exterior design was what really excited me about the car. Oh, and the black color. Very cool.

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  All round great wagon. - 2006 Audi A4
  By vics55 - December 19 - 8:43 am

  Wanted a wagon that had style and performance. The update added a brand new engine (soon to be found on the new Jetta) and the car comes with a great set of luxury features. Added Premium and Cold Weather Packages, and 17 inch wheels.

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  S4 Crazy - 2005 Audi S4
  By ElSRS - December 18 - 6:32 pm

  We were so excited when we got our new S4, we almost jumped for joy! Its a beautiful, luxurious performance cabriolet, and its cheaper than an M3 convertible and waaaaaaaay cheaper than a CLK55 AMG cabriolet. And, it has the bullet-proof quattro!

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  Last car - 2016 Audi A6
  By Doll - December 16 - 10:20 pm

  Explore all discounts

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  2005 A8L completely loaded $83900 MSRP - 2005 Audi A8
  By Brian - December 16 - 3:26 am

  The car is amazing and I got about $8k off plus $750 for the Audi Family Discount plus one free payment of $940.03 because I went to an touring US Audi event. I sold another four while I was there of the A8Ls and A6s. Incredible discount and price - cant beat this car for the money - and I have had over 10 5/7 series BMWs, the previous V8 in 1990 and later a mid-1990s A8 and several M cars from BMW and a S430 from Mercedes fully loaded with a refrigerator.

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  One smooth car from look to ride and handling - 2017 Audi A8
  By nb - December 14 - 3:36 pm

  My A8 L is a 2017 3.0T quattro Tiptronic with everything including the adaptive chassis and front power seats with massage. In other words, you really cant beat this care for comfort. Even the controls are laid out in a configuration that makes sense and with easy access so your fingers dont fumble around when you want to reach out for something. The highest compliment I can give this car is that I actual enjoy being a passenger when my wife is driving. Not that my wife is a bad driver, but usually I am a horrible passenger. The ride is amazingly smooth and acceleration is close to driving a sports car. The safety features are amazing and should you be using lane assist, you will get an audible warning to tell you to put your hands back on the wheel. Some people arent fans of all the safety features but I am. Given the condition of roads and the amount of distracted drivers out there, I like feeling I might have an edge. The navigation system is excellent and it also provides you with traffic conditions and problems ahead. I did purchase extended warranties guaranteeing me bumper to bumper protection through 2023, including scratch protection. These automobiles are really comfortable computers on wheels and only a fool would fail to protect themselves in case a computer board or chip gets fried. My collision insurance took a slight jump as these wouldnt be inexpensive cars to repair, but it wasnt a bump such that it is highly noticeable; more like a hundred dollar jump.

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  10 years of ownership - 2007 Audi A4
  By Ben E - December 12 - 11:16 am

  *10 years of ownership* after owning this car for almost 10 years I had decided to write a detailed review on my experience with this 2007 Audi A4 Quattro with the 3.2 engine. 0-80,000 miles absolutely problem free. During that one frame all that was done to the vehicle was routine oil changes (5,000 intervals as I do not personally think going 10,000 is a good idea), tires around 45,000 miles, I always use premium gasoline. 80,000-115,000: around 85,000 miles during service it was discovered that my valve cover gaskets were leaking oil that was around $250 with parts and labor. 95,000 miles I had all brakes replaced (pads, rotors on all four wheels) I ordered parts from Advance Auto Parts for $210 and still currently have them on the vehicle at 170,000 smooth as the Audi brand no need to pay for brand name very little brake dust as well. 112,000 miles I noticed that I could smell a burning oil. So I took it in to see what was wrong, the valve cover gasket appeared to be leaking again. So I had hen replace it once again. 115,000-145,000: no problems at all until 138,000 I noticed little drops of oil on my garage floor. I decided to take it in and was informed that my valve cover gasket looked like it was leaking again and that my rear main seal had a leak. At that point we figured that the actual valve cover itself may be warped. I decided to deal with the small drops of oil as I did not see it necessary to pay almost $3,000 to repair everything. I now have 170,000 miles on the car and it has never left me stranded. The key to keeping this car serviced it to find an independent mechanic that will treat you fairly. I see no need to replace this car anytime soon in the future.

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  All I can say is....WOW! - 2005 Audi A8
  By Rick - December 12 - 7:49 am

  This car is fantastic! Fast and fun to drive. The MMI is so much easier to use than BMWs. My favorite part of the test drive was going to a wet, empty parking lot and lowering the suspension to Dynamic and then letting this car work its magic!

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  Great car! - 2003 Audi A4
  By CP Collins - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Audi for about 10 months and it looks brand new! I love the way it drives! I feel in complete controll of the vehicle even in poor weather conditions! I drives smothly and I have to admit that I have had a speeding ticket b/c I dont realize how fast i am going b/c it is SUCH a quiet and smooth car! 80mph feels like 30mph in the car!