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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  2011 3.2 Q5 Prestige Pckg - 2011 Audi Q5
  By trinitywolf - May 3 - 12:36 pm

  After doing a LOT of research and test driving we kept coming back to the Q5. There is nothing else quite like when you combine looks, features and performance. We liked the 2.0 engine but the 3.2 has no lag and it is silky smooth. Now, after hearing about the oil usage of the 2.0 we are very glad we chose the 3.2. Yes the gas mileage is not quite as good but we are ok with that.

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  Car has it all - 2011 Audi A5
  By mbanyc - May 1 - 9:59 am

  Well first of all, its drop-dead gorgeous. Amazing Deep Sea Blue paint, although I personally think the curves show up better with the lighter colors. Seats are comfortable, but still could us more lateral support. 8 speed auto with the 2.0T is super-smooth, and sneaky fast, (although its no M3-beater). But so what! Its a hoot to drive, comfortable without being cushy, and it gets a few more mpg than the 3.2 Id been driving. Was concerned about a going to a 4 cylinder, but this engine is really special. A major improvement over the 08 2.0T that I didnt even consider. Cant wait to get it on a twisty back road!

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  Out performs MPG estimates - 2011 Audi Q5
  By bigjoe7 - April 23 - 9:50 am

  I am an Acura MDX driver who was tired of limited leg room for the driver. The Q5 is smaller but has a longer wheel base and has removed the irritating foot pedal that played havoc with my shin bone with a simple lever on the center console. Start, stop, set parking brake within inches of each function. The prestige styling is to my likingand performance with the 3.2L engine has exceeded my expectations in both power and mileage. My entire music library is available by simply cable connecting my ipod in the glove box simple lead thru on the cars 7" screen.

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  Very Sexy Car - 2010 Audi S5
  By micash - April 15 - 8:59 pm

  I was a die hard Lexus owner but saw the S5 at the airport and knew I had to have one. It is the sexiest car I have ever seen and people literally turn their heads everywhere I go. I live the Dallas area and have only seen 3 other S5s on the road since I purchased it 8 months ago. The dealership had already added Stasis (something I otherwise would not have paid for but my husband loves it) and the engine roar is unbelievable. Coming from a very quiet Lexus, the engine noise seemed a little loud at first but now I dont even hear it anymore. Im a fairly aggressive driver and absolutely love the handling and overall maneuverability of this car.

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  Excellent Value! - 2011 Audi A5
  By mps_ - April 12 - 8:52 pm

  Have been driving my A5 for 5 months now and I still love it. It has decent engine power, although I would not classify it as sports car class. The handling on the other handling is excellent and extremely confident in the corners at speed. My car get 34mpg on the highway as well! I dont think there is a car on the road that is this efficient, fun to drive, and great looking. If you are looking for real sports car acceleration go for the S5.

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  Awesome Audi S4 - 2011 Audi S4
  By car510 - April 9 - 2:36 pm

  This Audi S4 is now my 10th car, and it exceeds all my expectations. Over the years, Ive had a BMW 325, 328, 335, and a Lexus IS 350. The Audi S4 exterior is beautiful, the interior is gorgeous, and the drive is outstanding. I love having a manual transmission, and the Audi Drive Select takes driving to a different level. Even the base stereo system is pretty good. Im not an audiophile, so I was concerned about not getting the B&O system but I have no regrets. Its loud, its crisp, theres an amplifier, a subwoofer, tweeters, speakers, and it gets the job done.

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  Best Car ever Owned - 2004 Audi A4
  By popeyes - April 7 - 10:44 am

  Original owner of this 3.0 A4 since new. Right off the lot, negotiated 5% down. Now 7 yrs experience with it with 81K kms traveled. Quality, stability, stance, control, performance are all above great with decent gas mileage of 7.9l/100km highway 9-10l/100km city with quattro using synthetic. Audi maintenance covers everything during 3 yr warr and dealers have provided exceptional service. They replaced all my brake discs, pads and spark plugs all under warranty. Burnt bulbs, lighter socket, wiper lever seized from salt also replaced /w warr. Coils replaced under recall, but never problems just glithces with electronic in window controls, sunroof, and resets of A/C.

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  HELP!!!!!!!!!...."TICKING" NOISE - IT IS GOING TO BLOW UP????? - 2007 Audi A4
  By agretty1 - March 29 - 11:30 am

  I purchased my 2007 Audi A4 Convertible Quattro about a month ago, with only 39,000 miles on it. It is a great car, but with one exception, it "TICKS" after I power the car off. What Ive noticed is that it when I drive a short distance, its a low faint ticking noise, and when I drive a long/extended period it is a high/loud ticking noise when I power off. Yes, Ive been told that it is "Normal", but it is such a distraction from the beauty of the car, when the attention its receiving is due to the "ticking" noise it makes. Is anyone else experiencing this problem, and is there a fix for it. Please advise, as I feel that I am driving a "TICKING TIME BOMB".....

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  Worth the wait - 2011 Audi A5
  By rs691919 - March 22 - 2:25 pm

  It took almost five months to receive the car, but I took delivery last Friday. I was apprehensive about the 4 cyl engine, but now 200 miles in I love it. It is smooth and yet has enough power for a driver who is not looking to set speed records. There is a slight turbo lag, but it doesnt bother me one bit. The engine sound isnt brawny, but I just turn the music up so I cant hear it anyway! The design, both exterior and interior, is immaculate. It is truly a joy to drive, and even my eight year old son keeps running into the garage to sneak peeks in it. I also feel the Prestige package is worth it for the smart key alone.

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  Spectacular Beauty - 2011 Audi A4
  By cottonmouthbev - March 18 - 2:48 am

  I just picked up my 2011 A4 Manual Quattro and I cannot stop ogling at this car. In fact, Im jealous of people outside the car because they can see how stunningly gorgeous it is. This car simply stands out as the best combination of finesse, power and style. Im not sure if car designs can improve much on this overall shape because after a certain point, aesthetic appeal gets lost in radical designs. I have the premium package which does not sport the LED lights but without them, the headlights are leaner and more aggressive looking and its intense. As for the interior, its plush and solid while having being supremely user friendly after a quick run over of the controls.