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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  1st time Audi owner - 2001 Audi A6
  By ViensVT - November 23 - 12:16 pm

  Great power. You get all the comfort style and performance you would expect from an Audi. Just run good gas and oil through it and let the oil gauge hit 175 before bringing it over 3000 rpm. Great power. Little turbo lag. I love it.

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  Great used luxury sport vehicle - 2003 Audi A4
  By dwmcginnis - November 23 - 11:53 am

  We were looking for a sports sedan but not neccessarily the Audi, but when we saw the car it immediately caught our attention. We really liked the exterior line and the interior finishes. After the test drive we were hooked, but concerned about the reliablity of the Audi brand. Our fears were relieved when we researched the car. After a second test drive we bought the car and have no regrets. The car handles extremely well on the back roads. We have had no troubles with the car which is approaching 67,000 miles. Our only beef is the car feels cramped when our two elementary age kids are with us. The car performed and handle extremely well on a recent mtn. trip.

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  Better than BMW - 2006 Audi A4
  By dino - November 23 - 6:54 am

  I have a 2006 BMW 530i with manual and sports suspension. Lots of zip. My wife has an A4 with 2.0 turbo and automatic. Truth be told, I take her car on the weekend whenever I can. Handling is about as good as the BMW and I find the BMW more fun to drive. I prefer the interior and exterior styling more and the AWD is better in bad weather. Interior is a tad smaller but for the two of us the car is purrfect. My next car will be an Audi - probably with a 6 cylinder. Overall, the Audi is more.

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  Solid - 2004 Audi A4
  By 808LOCALBOY - November 22 - 10:00 am

  The is fun to drive. There is some low end turbo lag. Fit and finish is excellent. Handles well.

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  Classy but fun - 2004 Audi A4
  By polo_gin - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Love this car! Have been driving this car since July 2002 and have not had any problems. The fit and finish is world class and the "fun factor" is nothing less. Overall ride is very comfortable while maintaining its sportiness. The safety features were key when purchasing this car but have since been forgotten as this is such a great car to drive. Usually dislike taking cars into service, however, Audi seems to go out of their way to make things just right for the owner/ driver. Fantastic customer service. I would highly recommend Audi.

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  Seductive - 2004 Audi A6
  By robert c - November 22 - 9:46 am

  I sit behind the wheel and I feel empowered. Heated leather seats with memory. Red illumination for the dashboard. Soft on the eyes! I do not regret this purchase. This is my third used Audi purchase in a row. The interior is my kind of fine appointment. The leather seats hold up just fine. I like the roomy trunk space. I always take my car for regular scheduled maintenance, therefore I have never had a suprise disruption. I like the peppy engine response when traveling down the interstate. I have always appreciated the sexy curves and distinct appearance of an Audi. How can you not feel regal sporting around town in a fine German sedan?

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  Lower back problems driver seat - 2016 Audi Q5
  By Jane Ceurvorst - November 22 - 7:09 am

  Started having lower back problems one month after purchasing the car. Did not realize it was the car with my back until my husband drove it and he had the same problems. Had to trade after 14 months of owning the car due to the problems. Only after driving my new car for one day, already feeling relief.

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  Worth the wait - 2007 Audi Q7
  By jim - November 21 - 11:31 am

  We ordered our S-line Q7 in August... well worth the wait! The driving experience is everything we expected and more. The motor sounds authoritative and has plenty of power. Seating is comfortable with plenty of head room for the tall ones. Third row seat is designated for small passengers on short trips. Once we became familiar with the MMI and other options they were very user friendly and worth the time to learn. We live in a warm climate and had solar tint installed on the sunroof which helps with reflective heat. Learned the battery is under the drivers seat and will need to take to dealer to get battery replaced. Why? (Bummer). Overall great ride and meets our expectations on all fronts.

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  Audi A6 4.2 AWD - Too much power - 2004 Audi A6
  By Kevin - November 20 - 10:23 am

  I love the car!! I have had it for 2 years and it is awesome. I sometime wonder if it has too much power. I hit triple digits plenty of times, but the reality is I just dont have anywhere to really run it to its potential.

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  Best SUV I have driven - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Nick - November 19 - 10:20 pm

  I bought many SUVs. The Q7 is the best SUV I have driven so far. Great to drive, so comfortable. It is a hybrid of a luxury sedan and an SUV. Even my kids love the comfort of the back seats. Great choice for a family.