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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  Will not give up my 2.8 - 1999 Audi A4
  By Euro Auto Addict - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I dod a tone of research prior to buying an A4. After comparing to five other possibilities I took the plunge and have been the happiest driver since. Found a 2.8 Sport PKG with 5-spd manual with 60K. I have since added a tune kit(air induction, exhaust, brakes, and ECU) from Evolution Motor Sports in Tempe AZ and have had even more fun!! Although it is a little more money for the car in terms of initial cost and maintaining, it will cost the same as buying a cheaper auto that you have to fix coonstantly like the GMC Jimmy I had previously. Living in Colorado every aspect of the A4 is used and enjoyed. Cant wait to get a new one in about 200K miles!!

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  Who said, a car is a car? - 2003 Audi A4
  By PoorBoy - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the 3.0 for about seven months and really enjoy driving it whenever I get the chance. Im not overly impressed with the S4 this year as the cost/performance ratio is not that great. If your looking for a well built german auto, with all the options far below the cost of other brands in its market segement. The 3.0 is worth the money.

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  11 months in a fantastic little car, Audi 2017 Q3 - 2017 Audi Q3
  By Michael - April 18 - 12:11 pm

  Yes, this car could have used 50 more horsepower in the 2.0T model, however the highway mileage is a sensational 33mpg at 65mph (with 89 octane fuel) It has a nice tight suspension with a super quiet ride. I was looking for a car for 2 years prior to buying this Q3 and am very pleased. It has taken me from Key West to the mountains of Northern Maine in a confident, safe and secure way. The down sides: Be aware that the display is in desperate need of upgrading, the Pirelli brand of tire needs to be changed to Michelin.

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  Just got better - 2004 Audi A8
  By Gabtop4t - April 18 - 2:00 am

  Great car! Great Car

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  Ideal car for me - 2002 Audi A4
  By Pzeroman - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Wow! Quattro, the new outstanding sport suspension combined with the Pilot Primacy and manual transmission yield a most comfortable, fun to drive and high performance ride. No body roll and the tires stick like glue. I got the dolphin grey with ebony leatherette and the aluminum trim--very sporty. Plenty of acceleration and could notice no turbo lag. The 1.8T is more nimble than the 3.0 as it is less weight overall and more even weight distribution. Road feel is awesome.

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  2002 Audi A4 - 2002 Audi A4
  By dej0 - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I really like this car and think it is an improvement over my 97 A4. The handling feels tighter, but the ride is still comfortable. The car is quieter with the windows closed. The car is very fun to drive. The car look sbetter in person than the pictures would indicate. I loved the look of the older body style, but this one really looks great in person also.

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  cool - 2004 Audi TT
  By canuto - April 16 - 2:00 am

  well just cool i had it for a year so far and just love the little thing

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  Audi A-4q "Never Follow" - 2000 Audi A4
  By MLM - April 15 - 2:00 am

  This is an excellent car. Fun to drive, very smooth but powerful when needed. Quattro with ABS 4-wheel disc brakes and a solid-build makes this a very safe car too. A lot of great interior features. The A-4 is one of the best in class.

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  Review at 12,500 Miles - 2004 Audi TT
  By Thomas Nelson - April 15 - 2:00 am

  Very stylish car that is fun to crank up and drive both slow and fast. Handles well and gets around 30MPG on the road and 25MPG around town.

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  AUDI ALMS Edition TT Quattro Turbo - 2002 Audi TT
  By PMJCB3 - April 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the Audi ALMS Edition TT Quattro for over two years now, and I still love getting into it! Timeless Style that continues to turn heads...