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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  neilsaudi - 2006 Audi A4
  By convertiblelover - September 17 - 2:16 am

  Having driven a Porsche Boxster S for four years, I did not think that I would enjoy the A4 as much. I am so glad that I am wrong. The A4 drives like a dream. It is comfortable and handles well. It is no slouch in the passing lane and performs just as well in the city as it does on the highway. The trunk is unusually roomy for a convertible. The styling and instrumentation is second to none. The fit and finish are superior. Even the basic Symphony sound system with nine speakers is more than adequate. I got the Premium package with my vehicle and love all its components (xenon headlights, electronically adjustable passengers seat, etc.) I am breaking in my A4 and love its mpg, too

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  Big jump from my old Jeep Grand Cherokee - 2007 Audi A6
  By Mark_in_Truckee_CA - September 16 - 9:01 pm

  Fast, quiet, responsive, well appointed, bells and whistles aside, I love going to work now. The mountain freeway I drive to and from work is fun now, for the first time in 25 years. Its taking me a little time getting used to the differences of driving from my old car, and 1995 Jeep, where my legs go down in from of me and the steering wheel isnt between my knees. The 2007 A6 is a race car. It hunkers down into turns asking me to push the gas peddle a little further down, as if it wants to go faster. The car has a quality that puts it in a class with any other more expensive car on the road. Consumer reports for the 2007 Audi A6 will be all good, I believe. I couldn’t be more impressed.

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  New Audi Driver - 2017 Audi Q7
  By DB - September 15 - 1:20 pm

  Expensive, but loaded with the latest safety features. Rides and handles great. Unbelievably quiet.

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  Driving Fun - 1999 Audi A4
  By A. Vauter - September 14 - 7:40 pm

  I bought this car new, & have enjoyed very much. I would replace it w/another A4, but I now live in an area w/o a local Audi dealer. It makes driving fun. Exceptional control in snow. Parts are expensive. Its not as reliable as a Honda (had one once), but so much better to drive. Great audio, comfortable seats a driving experience.

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  Its excellent - 2007 Audi Q7
  By luvmyq7 - September 14 - 4:52 pm

  Just got a fully loaded Q7. Drives very smoothly. Engine sounds great in sports mode. Super comfortable and beautiful interior. If youre into technology - the MMI is great.

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  A6 unreliable - 2005 Audi A6
  By CB - September 14 - 12:04 am

  Audi A6 drives beautifully when it works, but is very unreliable. Have had my A6 serviced for same problem of all of a sudden shutting down and not accelerating properly 5 times in last 3 months. EPS computer fault system continues to fail. At times wont change gears properly. Buyer beware, and Audi no longer offers free service. Audi so far is refusing to replace the vehicle despite servicing it 3 times for these same issue in last 3 weeks. If you like taking your car to the dealership for service a lot, this may be your car.

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  Its About Time - 2006 Audi A3
  By Mark McTigue - September 11 - 10:33 pm

  Handles great! Quick response. Great mileage. Need more cars of this caliber. Got rid of my SUV. Audi should offer more engine option for this car as they do in Europe.

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  A great choice - 2007 Audi Q7
  By Liam - September 11 - 8:37 pm

  Got the Q7 about 3 months ago, and love it since. Before I was driving the FX35, which was a bit quicker but you cant really compare the quality and features that come with the Audi. As a surfer, I manage to fit a 96 longboard inside the car together with my wife and two kids! A great buy with cool looks.

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  Fun little car - 2000 Audi TT
  By JeffE - September 11 - 3:16 pm

  I bought a 2000 Quattro (29,000 miles) in 05/2005. I drive this car HARD and so far no problems except for the instrument cluster, but this seems to be rather common. This is a fun little car which has a lot of room (I am 62, 300), and fits the wife and dog just fine! I would like this little coupe to have some extra horses and a 6th gear, but it handles on rails. You CANNOT beat this car in the snow. I love zooming past the tahoe/jeep/escalade drivers in 10 inches of snow, and seeing the look on their faces! All in all a great car, as long as it holds up!!

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  A4 Review - 2006 Audi A4
  By rich - September 10 - 11:37 pm

  I love the performance of this vehicle. The pickup reminds me of the small block muscle cars of the 60s.The interior is very ergonomically friendly with all the buttons easy to reach. The exterior has a stance that makes me feel like a lion among lambs on the road with an engine to back up my feelings when needed. I dont know why I didnt get an Audi before, but with todays advanced design, Im glad I waited.