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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  The best Ive owned - 2006 Audi S4
  By Jgutman - September 29 - 10:25 am

  The moment I test drove it I fell in love. Have owned M3s and C55. Nothing corners like the S4. Rigid body, great handling, powerplant sounds like Mozart wrote the notes. Passing ability, and comfort are all just perfect. No reason to have a porsche. Trunk is huge, will hold two golf bags in comfort. I do not think I could have done better, and I test drove them all. Quality and finish are impeccable. Even the factory blue tooth, and navigation, as well as premium sound are superior. Good going Audi!

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  Another Quattro for me - 2006 Audi TT
  By jonny - September 29 - 2:54 am

  My 1989 Audi 100 Quattro served me well for 17 years, so when I finally decided to get a new car, Audi was the car to beat. I checked out the competition, but nothing came close. Although the TT is much different than a 4-door sedan, it still has the quality feel and classic style I loved in my old car. Soon after I purchased the vehicle, I set out on a 3-week, 3000-mi roadtrip to see if anything needed fine-tuning by the dealer. Everything worked and performed perfectly. Now the new car feels like a part of me when I drive, just like my old one did.

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  Great Car For Family - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Beyat - September 28 - 3:33 pm

  I never thought to own an SUV unitl we had a child and we test drove this car. Wow, it feels a lot like my BMW sedan yet has room like an SUV.

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  Gorgeous - 2005 Audi A4
  By marcossjk - September 27 - 7:34 pm

  One of the most beautiful cars around. The interior is first class. The Special edition adds more fun to the driving experience, though a little stiff on bumpy roads. The only con is performance. The engine could use a little more power. Overall, a car that turns heads and gets lots of ohhh!! inside and out but dont challenge other cars for a quick race... youll be left eating dust.

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  gremlin with horrible support - 2015 Audi A3
  By HS - September 26 - 8:24 pm

  ok, i leased with intent on buying. as soon as i leased, I bought snow tires/rims, clear bra on front, and weather tech mats, audi service package, and i do extra oil changes between their service interval w audi approved oil. Very well cared for from my end car has 20k miles. In 20k miles I have had car shut off on highway from overheating, dealer added antifreeze, but it was above minimum and Ive never had a car just shut off. dealer said drive it in. next Ive had multiple electrical problems, says doesnt recognize key, then i walk away come back and it recognizes then problem goes away for weeks. then brake light out signal comes up on dash, brake lights are functioning and on (took video of it) took to audi,, says no engine code, would have to tear car down to look for a short! so I wait to have them take care of it, and it doesnt do it for months, intermittently it will occur. just give it a day or two and it goes away. then i was rear ended while stopped at light (8k damages and frame/uni needed pulled to straighten) had audi shop do the work.. got the car back and it vibrates badly from 65-80mph. take it to body shop, they send me to Sunnyside audi service in middleburg OH, dealer service says everything is straight and balanced and no problem with their work. but they can put new tires on and balance them for 1200.00, i reply that the car didnt do this before accident, they say they dont know. I exclaim that the tires on there have plenty of wear left as i have snow tires and the tires have less than a year of road use. they cant tell me why they would shake then. I ask for a guarantee that it would stop if replaced, cant give me a guarantee. I call audi america and they send me back to dealer. Its a run around shell game thats completely disappointing. I am 100% sure that the car DID NOT do this before accident and even said if you replace them and it fixes it, i will pay for them, if it doesnt then you figure out what is wrong. no luck... so in my short experience as a first time audi owner I have only been given run around on a car with clear issues and horrible repair work (dealer even washed the car immediately after their repair shop did a paint job (you dont wash and wax a car with fresh paint until it cures- at least 20-30 days, sunny side audi should know this). anyway, each department sends me back to the next with no guarantee. Ive had a rental car for a total of 2-3 weeks in year. Ive not had any resolution. I will come back and post a VIN if anyone purchases this vehicle and has problems which arent disclosed at purchase, audi america is aware, dealership is aware and you should get an attorney. if you get this lemon, post a reply on my post and i will get back to you with an email/give you records of incidents so you may use them for recompense. PS i asked repair shop to make sure carfax is aware, they say they dont report. nationwide insurance company couldnt give me an answer if they would report the 8k. caveat emptor but i hope whoever buys this and has problems finds this post. JUST HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE, run around. but alot of apologies, i.e. "we care, we can send you back to". Ive owned toyota, honda, ford and acura where the buck stops at dealer if any problems. acura replaced an 600.00 engine part under extended warranty and 2 years after ( no longer in warranty) the same part had an issue, acura fixed it free of charge under good faith that it was a bad part. That is service. AUDI has provided no service other than free rental cars and offer to sell me more stuff to maybe fix it.

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  Fast and Smooth - 2006 Audi A4
  By BaS - September 26 - 2:01 pm

  First, the gearbox in this car is amazing... flawless shifting! This car is all about the driver, giving an excellent drive that is fun, fast and smooth. The quattro allows for quick, stable handling, especially at high speeds, that is superior to anything else I have owned.

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  Little Car, No Compromise - 2007 Audi A3
  By bumpjump - September 26 - 11:22 am

  Third Audi, coming on the heels of a 2001 TT and an 03 A4. This is the Goldilocks car: not too small, not too big, just right. Our commute got shorter this year, so this is basically a city car. Shopped the 330i, the IS 350, the new A4, and the G35. Loved the A3s functionality and nimble, cut-and-thrust attitude.

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  Best Bang for your Quarta! - 2007 Audi A6
  By Darth Vader - September 26 - 12:10 am

  The first thing that is great about the car is its elegant interior, Ive owned BMWs and Lexus and MBZs and they all come in a distant second to the interior. The sure footedness of its all wheel drive makes it a fun car to drive, yet not stiff and rugged like its german relatives. This vehicle is not the quickest off the line but the real world does not live in the 0-60 realm, it is in real driving situations where this car exceeds expectations. The MMI took a while to learn, but who needs it when you have the voice activated commands?

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  Green Sports Car - 2006 Audi A3
  By quietstorm - September 25 - 11:50 am

  This car is awesome!! For one thing this is not a dime a dozen car. I love that not every car in the parking lot is an A3. I always get 28-30 miles to the gallon highway and almost the same in the city. What other car can zip you around town take corners fast and get good gas. I got open sky it great is makes the car feel roomier. The DSG is fun when your driving just for the hell of it. Plus you can feel you are in a well bulit car. My doors are way heavier (3 steel beams per door vs. 2) than an american counterpart.

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  what a ride - 2003 Audi A4
  By bubba616161 - September 25 - 2:00 am

  Just got the car last month. Awesome!! Had some aftermarket performance enhancement done by Joe Hoppen in Sarasota...now the 1.8T delivers 220hp and 230lb-ft torque. The CVT is awesome-so smooth, although I also have driven the stick (wonderful as well). Premium sound system phenomenal. When I drive normally, I average over 30mpg.