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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  Best Choice - 2006 Audi A4
  By Matt - November 19 - 2:10 pm

  Drove all the others in the category (BMW,Mercedes, Acura). Although not the best in every category, the A4 is by far the most fun to drive. Adding the S-line and the 6M transmission make this car a pure pleasure. The tiptronic is best in class, but the 6M is for people who like to drive. My first Audi, but not my last. I cant imagine how they will improve on this car.

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  Best High Performance All Weather Car - 2005 Audi S4
  By LJG - November 15 - 7:57 pm

  Upgraded from 00 S4 to 04 S4 and the car is absolutely awesome. Just when I thought they couldnt improve an already incredible car, they did! Power and handling are incredible. The V8 sounds phenomenal. Recaros are superb. With snow tires, the S4 is just as awesome in the winter with snow! There really is no comparison for the entire package. STi is a very different beast and the M3 is only a part time fun car in the snow belt. Add to the fact that you can get this car in sedan, wagon, or convertible and you can pick your perfect car to drive all-year round.

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  Sleeper wagon - 2005 Audi S4
  By kevfitz3 - November 14 - 1:18 pm

  This is my second S4 (also have a 2000 six speed S4 sedan) and what an improvement in overall body rigidity and solid feel. The V8 sounds seriously potent and it is. The torque is instantaneous and neck-snapping. A joy to drive fast or just cruising. Not your normal station wagon!

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  Impressive - 2004 Audi A4
  By North East - November 14 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car, well made, fantastic finish. Definitely fun to drive. For drivers in the North East, the combination of the AWD system and the convertible are a great match. I have owned a 98 528 and a 2001 E320, and this car is on par with the fit and finsih of the BMW and light years ahead of the Mercedes. The only knock I have is it is a little slow off the line but once you are at 20 mph you are fine. Gas mileage in general is fair but when you are in the sports transmission mode or drive it hard it poor, but I am sure most people are not buying this for the gas mileage....

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  Audi does it again! - 2003 Audi A4
  By Jonathan Marville - November 13 - 2:00 am

  Audi really made some nice improvements in the 2002 and 2003 model. The ride is much nicer than the Lexus IS300 or the BMW 3Series. For the money, the A4 takes the cake. The looks are much more aggressive than any other car in its class.

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  By far the best car Ive owned - 2004 Audi A4
  By A4 Fanatic - November 13 - 2:00 am

  The more I drive it, the more I love it. The 4 cylinder engine is terrific, Ive put it through so much abuse yet after 17,000 miles absolutely nothing has gone wrong. Everyone who has been inside the car has enjoyed its comfort and the ambiance created by the red dashboard lighting. Thus far I have not heard a bad comment about any of the cars features. Ride comfort at all speeds and any road is imaculate, even with the sport suspension. Audi has done a terrific job when they created this car, they had "driver friendly" & "passenger comfort" during the crafting process. I will definately be a repeat buyer

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  A Real Advance - 2009 Audi A4
  By selectfpr - November 12 - 12:20 pm

  I have owned various BMWs & Audis over the past 15 years, and this seems to be one of my favorites. I just ended an X3 lease and was considering the 328xi wagon or the A4 Avant. To my surprise, I chose the Avant with the Premium Plus Package, because they really made a lot of advancements since my 2004 Audi. Until BMW redesigns the 328, the Audi 2.0 I think is a much better car. It handles great, its feels much quicker than the 328, and the interior and exterior design (at least on the Avant) is a real winner. So far, I think its a no brainer.

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  Great car - 2002 Audi A4
  By rkonow - November 12 - 10:00 am

  I just ordered my 2003 A4 1.8T Quattro with the manual transmission. I said yes to just about all of the options, including: Bose stereo, sport package, premium package, xenons, etc. I previously owned a 99 A4 1.8T. The 20 more horsepower of the current model paired with the manual tranny makes for a much quicker car. You may want to consider getting the 17 in wheels with all season radials instead of the sport package. Still a little extra grip for performace but smoother, more competent ride in inclement weather. Highly reccomend to all.

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  Ausgezeichneter! - 2005 Audi S4
  By WilliamStivelman - November 12 - 2:42 am

  I bought this car after erroneously purchasing an M3 and owning it for 49 days. While the BMW is a superb- handling and braking race car, it is not liveable for the long haul. Its impossible to shift smoothly. Its ergonomics are variable, at best fair. The seat is fair for a tall driver. The S4, on the other hand, is a breath of fresh air. Its controls are logical logical and pragmatic. Its handling is elegantly sublime, and its power, the POWER, well, its unbelievable. The shifter carves to perfection. The car has a buttery smooth feel. The build quality is far better than VWs already excellent mid- priced siblings.

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  3.2 vs. 2.0T - 2006 Audi A4
  By marc - November 11 - 10:40 pm

  My fouth A4 was a 2006 2.0T 6MT, my first 4 cylinder car in awhile. This machine was neck snapping quick and great fun to drive but the 4 cyl was a bit noisey and coarse for me. I traded it for the 3.26MT [crazy!]and prefer the smoother operation and sweeter engine and exhaust tones. Either is great fun and a relative bargain. For refinement try the 6 cyl. Saving cash the 2.0T is a blast and great on gas.