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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  Sweet 2005 ultrasport package - 2005 Audi A4
  By Audi fan - August 9 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Audi and I chose it over the 325xi, c-class, acura TL. AWD is amazing and the turbo gives plenty of torque and power, however another 30-40 hp would be better. Interior was the best out of the cars I test drove. Only had car for 2 weeks, hopefully no problems down the road. This car gets double takes all the time. Ultrasport package is a must if you are really into looks and tighter suspension.

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  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS CAR! - 2004 Audi TT
  By TTGirl - August 9 - 2:00 am

  This car is great! I havent had it long but I love it so far.

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  Quattro Handling with sleek security - 2001 Audi A6
  By Logic43 - August 9 - 2:00 am

  Noone gets hurt in this car. I have had two accidents in this car and all passengers (3 first accident, and 2 the other) walked without a bruise or a scratch. Of course, I took car to L.A.s finest Euro repair shop (Avio Coach Craft). Additionally, the twin turbos really launch this car. If owners have a problem with the maintenance, maybe they should invest their money in other areas>like an extended warranty, which will be about 1/3 of all the repairs, and upkeep of a high performance, luxury car(believe me I checked). This forced induction car has endless possibilities of upgrades! Great as a used car as well.

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  LOVE MY CAR!! - 2016 Audi A6
  By Alicia Jernigan - August 7 - 8:29 pm

  I am 40 this year, a single mom, successful with a 7 yr old boy. This car is so safe, sexy, fast and comfortable! My heart skips a beat every time I see it!

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  The Best - 2002 Audi S6
  By CaddyConvert - August 6 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car we have ever owned - it is a sports car with family functionality - it will get your kids where they have to go - store stuff in the trunk and will handle the road like a monster - put snow tires on it and even without the ground clearance it will burn most SUVs on slick roads - in the summer it will give an M5 a run for its money on the highway - maybe the greatest car ever designed for people who want the ability to drive a very fun car and still get the family around.

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  PRELIMINARY - 2003 Audi A4
  By RICH6588 - August 5 - 2:00 am

  ONLY 500 MILES AND I LOVE IT.AFTER DRIVING OVER 1,000,000 MILES IN EVERYTHING FROM JAGUARS TO MERCEDES AND FORDS TO CADDIES I FINALLY FOUND A CAR THAT I HAVE FUN DRIVING. IT IS ALL POSSIBLE DUE TO THE NEW CVT PLUS THE TURBO. THE CAR FLIES WITH NO EFFORT AND WITH THE SPORTS PKG I NO TROUBLE CORNERING AT ALL SANE SPEEDS. I WILL WRITE ANOTHER REVIEW AFTER MY FIRS 10,00 MILES.

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  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS CAR! - 2004 Audi TT
  By Kingsampson - August 3 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my TT now for about 2 weeks and I absolutely love it! It is sooooo much fun to drive. Ive driven Volvos for the past 9 years and they were never as much fun as this car! Im always looking for excuses to go driving in it. I drove several makes of cars before leasing this vehicle and Im glad that I chose this one.

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  Perfection - 2004 Audi A4
  By olivier cohen - August 3 - 2:00 am

  Just perfect !!!!!! great look, incredible performance,low gas consumtion... it is a continuous pleasure to drive it.

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  Great blend of performance and style - 2004 Audi A6
  By panj - August 2 - 2:00 am

  I entered a lease on the s-line going from a 1999 BMW 740i sport. Performance and handling are very close to the BMW with the added benefit of AWD. Moving to much more severe winters, hence AWD. The interior lived up to Audis reputation for quality in colors, wood, etc. Dealers are offering lower than invoice with excellent lease rates given the new model coming. Recommend the leather upgrade with sport seats-- side bolstering needed for driving at the limit and the upgrade is a major improvement over the standard

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  Left over 2004 quite a bargain!! - 2004 Audi A6
  By ilovewestins - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Just picked up a A6 Quattro 3.0 yesterday. Prem, cold pkgs., and 17" wheels and tires. $2500 incentive plus $1000 Audi Loyalty got me out the door at $35300. Edmunds you missed the incentives!!! Thank goodness they wanted to move the 04s