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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  A6 - 2000 Audi A6
  By unknown - August 10 - 7:01 pm

  i bought this car 2 mos ago with 83k. i loved it at first. i feel safe in it. i just had the timing belt go before it should have and cause major engine damage. i have heard a lot about sensors going bad. i would never buy another one with out a warranty. it is just not wise or financially practical because something is bound to go wrong because of the notorious electrical problems, and the cost to fix is high.

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  I love my AWD A6 Wagon - 1996 Audi A6
  By TRW - August 9 - 11:43 am

  My first Audi was a 1987 Audi Coupe manual transmission and I loved it for 7 years when I sold it. I bought the 1996 Audi in 2000 with 48k miles on it and have had a great experience with it. The cars loves the snow and can get me anywhere in any kind of weather. I can pack all my family of 6 in the car easily with the help of the back-facing rear seat. The car is very peppy and very fun to drive. The interior design is beautiful with its red lighted gauges. The only trouble we had was with the Audi CD player that didnt survive long after we had it installed by Audi. Enjoy the ride!

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  06 a6 - 2006 Audi A6
  By obee - August 8 - 4:26 pm

  At 6000 miles its been fun and no problems. The 5000 mile service was friendly and thorough. The mileage has been a pleasant surprise as its constantly above 30 mpg on the highway.

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 2014 Audi Q5
  By Russell Andrews - August 8 - 11:33 am

  I dont have anything negative to write. Best value Ive ever owned in my 54 yrs of driving. Go nonstop from Syracuse to Beaufort,SC (14 hrs) and my wife and I are not worn out by the trip... very comfortable and accommodating.

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  Stunning - 1999 Audi A4
  By Strike_Eagle - August 8 - 8:36 am

  First I want to get one thing out of the way, Its an Audi, some repairs are going to be expensive. If you want cheap, this is not the car for your. On a better note, This car is absolutely amazing to drive, I have the Sport and Cold weather packages as well and let me tell you, make sure yours has the sport package. This vehicle grips the road like a magnet! Winter driving with the Quattro system will not leave one disappointed, Truly is the ultimate snowmobile. Also do not be fooled by the performance specs... while not a sports car, the 1.8T engine has plenty of get up and go to make even a grown man giggle like a little kid.

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  Mature and Sporty - 2006 Audi A3
  By Pete - August 8 - 6:46 am

  I chose the A3 because I was looking for a car that was mature (not a boy toy), functional (can I fit a large screen TV ?), and sporty (fun to drive). The A3 is a perfect match. The DSG is fantastic - but took some getting used to as I would tend to forget I was in manual mode. My only regret was not getting the Sport model, because the suspension is a little softer than what I am used to, but then the ride is more luxurious as well, and I did ask for a mature ride. Im getting about 22 MPG in mixed driving, but think Id do better if I quit playing with the paddles. At first I didnt think Id want the Open Sky roof, but now I am very happy I got it.

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  Awesome! - 2006 Audi A4
  By Joel - August 6 - 9:45 pm

  My 2006 A4 exceeded my expectation. Great pick-up, terrific handling, oustanding standard Audi symphony sound system. This is my third A4 and the very best experience of all!

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  Audi S4 - Hard to Beat! - 2004 Audi S4
  By audimania - August 6 - 11:59 am

  Leased silver sedan with automatic trans in October 2003. Car has 35,000 miles. It is truly a drivers car - on windy, country roads, it handles as well as my Porsche 911. The handling is superior as are the brakes and ride quality. Reliability has been a bit of an issue - transmission had to be replaced - would have cost in excess of $6500 if car had not been under warranty. In short, if you can accept the extremely mediocre gas mileage, and want to carry 4 in relative comfort, and you want a smile on your face every time you drive, this is the machine.

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  Flawless - 2006 Audi A3
  By heyoka - August 6 - 9:46 am

  Most fun you can have in a car that has comfortable seating and decent luggage room with excellent fuel economy for the level of performance. DSG is the best transmission, manual or automatic, on a mass-produced car, and FSI is the most advanced readily available non-hybrid engine.

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  LOVE THIS CAR!!!! - 1997 Audi A8
  By KD - August 5 - 2:49 pm

  I purchased this car new. I feel it is an AWESOME car, the experience to have this car will stay in my memory forever. I LOVE the way it drives, very powerful and solid, can move QUICKLY when needed and beautiful inside and out! I cant imagine driving another car!