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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  Very Fun Car, Worth Every Penny!!! - 2006 Audi A3
  By chicoBR - October 17 - 3:32 pm

  Since I knew for a while that I was going to drive from PA to FL – 1,180 miles – I waited to write this review. I have a 2.0T, DSG, Sport Package, 17’ wheels, and the car is AWESOME. Honestly, it could not be better! The engine is very responsive, transmission is smooth and fun to use on all three modes (Sport, Drive, and Shift Pads), interior finishing is upper class, audio system is excellent, and the exterior looks from every angle very sporty. I had never had a car with sport suspension and was afraid that I would get tired of the firm ride. When I test-drove the A3 premium package and the sport package prior to make my decision, I had no doubt that the sport package was the way to go!

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  A4 2.0T - 2006 Audi A4
  By Rodrigue - October 17 - 12:33 pm

  Excellent handling in rain conditions, comfort level is very high, its a very powerful car.

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  I was pleasently surprised - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Audi Man - October 16 - 7:59 pm

  This is one of the best SUVs I have ever driven. During my first test drive I didnt know what to expect but I was shocked. Very comfortable, great handling, nice power (V8) and full of features. You will not be disappointed.

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  Perfect rendition of my vision of an LPS - 2007 Audi A6
  By domenickamarc - October 15 - 11:13 pm

  The Audi A6 3.2 Quattro S-Line virtually embodies my vision of what a luxury performance sedan should be. Quattro four-wheel-drive provides incredible control, handling, and steering through curves and around corners. S-Line suspension gives "on-rails" feeling. Averaging 22 mpg, while driving it "passionately." Stunning and comfortable interior, with full array of electronics: excellent bluetooth (Treo 700p worked from the start) navigation system (small additional display in front of driver allows larger screen to be freed from map-use), which has been dead-on accurate wonderful climate system and heated seats bottoms and backs. I love looking at it.

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  Speeding in SF - 2007 Audi A3
  By LeahySF - October 15 - 12:46 pm

  A great car that combines function with fun. Ive had my A3 for about a month and couldnt be more happy. The 200 HP engine and DSG live up too the hype, and man, does it fly. The interior is spacious, comfortable, with a clean design. We searched most entry-level luxury sedans but the A3 was the clear winner - nothing even compared to the driving performance of the A3. You wouldnt know if from the inside, but the car has a ver small footprint, ideal for city driving and parking.

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  Audi Allroad - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Berend Bracht - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Excellent in winter conditions

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  Questionable Product Support - 2004 Audi A4
  By BB in Bedford - October 14 - 2:00 am

  I think the car will be fun to drive but since I had an accident on day 2 of ownership, I dont know yet. It will soon be three months and the availability of spare parts is keeping me from enjoying the car. Unfortunately, Audi spare parts are either unavailable or marked improperly when orderd. My repair shop classifies Audi as the worst in terms of difficulty in getting the right parts in a timely manner. Audi may be a world class car but they apparently have a third world supply chain!

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  Dream Car - 2002 Audi A4
  By Ming Blue - October 13 - 7:20 pm

  I just purchased a 2002 A4 3.0 cvt,sports,premium, preffered, bose, xenon. I have to say that it is what bmw 330is should aspire to be. The handling on this car is superb ,the interiors are exuberant and the accelaration... well, simply exhilerating. I waited a year to get this car, , and finally after I made my decision, I still had to wait to get the color and options I wanted, but let me tell you my friends it was worth every effort and time and money I spent.... this is my dream car!

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  Audi A4 1.8T (Manual) - 2002 Audi A4
  By dAsturies - October 13 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car three weeks ago. Its everything I expected: Refined design, subtle but present performance, and excellent handling. Only a week ago, a duck and her ducklings suddently apperared out of nowhere as I was doing 50 mph. I slammed on the brakes and found out what a well-designed, great braking saystem does for you. If I would have done the same on my previous Jeep I would have been all over the road. This baby slowed down fastly but very steady and on a straight line. Perfect.

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  Not too bad - 2003 Audi A4
  By DTA43 - October 9 - 10:11 am

  Ive had this car for over 3 years now. Had to get the windshield replaced in the first week: it had a defect that made everything look "wobbly." The fuel pump gave out at 1.5 years/30K miles, stranding me at 5 am (very frustrating!). I have since witnessed about 4 other identical models stranded in parking lots or on the freeway. Since the fuel pump, the car has not given me any problems, aside from strange electrical issues such as the mirrors rotating out of memorized position.