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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  Love It!!! - 2006 Audi A4
  By Jen - July 10 - 4:06 pm

  Just got my car less than a month ago and it is pretty much impossible to get me to stop driving it! It is a really fun car to drive and I was much more impressed with it than I was the BMW 3 series.

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  Audi A4, great car - 2001 Audi A4
  By newtoncd - July 10 - 2:00 am

  I love in Colorado where the quattro is very nice to have. I have just over 45,000 miles on my A4 and it has been very reliable. The only problem I have had is with the drivers side window whistling a bit. After 3 trips to the dealer, it was finally fixed, under warranty. Other than that, I absolutely love the car and plan to purchase it when it comes off of lease in August 2005.

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  YEEEE HAWWWw - 2004 Audi TT
  By popster - July 8 - 2:00 am

  So far it has been a complete joy to drive whether short trips to the store or on long highway drives. I find the car to be quite comfortabe to drive and easy to handle. The best part is, it always makes me smile when I sit in it.

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  So far so good.... - 2004 Audi A4
  By Owen Leeds - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned mine for about two months and really love it so far. I can get tons in it, put my bikes on top and drive it hard in the corners like a sports sedan. What SUV drives like this?? Just wish it got a bit better MPG around town..im getting 17-19, but have heard it improves over time.

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  Bang for your buck - 2016 Audi A3
  By Sid T. - July 7 - 4:32 pm

  This is my first Audi. Ive always been a fan of the A3, even before it was changed to a sedan. When the sedan came out, I knew I was going to get that car. Although one of the bad things that this car is always dinged on - The Backseats - I have no complaints. Sure, its tight back there but Im never in the back seats so I dont really care that its small. Perky little engine! So much fun to drive. I cant say that Ive driven up the arroyo parkway at about 80-90 mph though.... lol The fuel mileage can be better but then again, I live in Los Angeles and its stop and go traffic at any point of the day. I have gotten great mileage when I hit an open road. Sound system is good. I feel like theres a slight delay on initial accelaration but I may just have to tweak the settings to fix that. Overall, its a great car to drive and you get your monies worth.

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  audii - 2004 Audi S4
  By al-bon - July 7 - 2:00 am

  Audi S4 is a great car all the way around..... only if it had better gas milage it would be a 10

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  Stable rocketry! - 2004 Audi S4
  By timcrow - July 7 - 2:00 am

  Quite simply put, one of the most stable rides out there. An incredibly well thought out machine at a price point that makes more expensive "comparable" cars in class appear laughably over-valued. Ask any German national, by the way, which of the big three manufacturers cranks out the finest auto and without fail, theyll say Audi (Ive tested this on several occasions). Do yourself a favor and at least take an S4 for a test drive.

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  Little Rocket - 2004 Audi S4
  By Chi-town S4 - July 7 - 2:00 am

  This was quite an upgrade from the 2000 S4 2.7 Turbo I owned before. This car is nothing but fun to drive (except in rush hour traffic). Besides the ride of the car, its also a very classy looking car (I love the chrome mirrors). I have yet to meet an M3 driver who isnt impressed with this S4. I recommend this car to anyone considering it.

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  more speed - 2004 Audi TT
  By troy m - July 7 - 2:00 am

  This is a car to show off in! It has a style all its own,right down to the gas cap with an interior that compliments the rest of the car.

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  Great shopping experience aided by the Edmunds - 2016 Audi A4
  By Pat Byrne - July 6 - 11:02 am

  End Up leasing the car, but your info helped to make decision. Thanks!