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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  All-Time Favorite - 2006 Audi A3
  By Ebling - June 10 - 11:28 am

  A terrific vehicle overall. Fast, fun, with practical features. Beautiful interior and exterior design elements. 2.0T engine a drivers delight. Audi Concert audio very capable. Ride, handling, comfort, and thoughtful touches allow all-day comfort and fun in the twisties. This car makes me smile during and after every drive. Premium and Cold Weather pkgs. nice. "Sportswagon" more apt than "hatchback." The A3 "concept" and execution is dead-on. Im 6 and OK in the back seat without Open Sky. Solid feel. Looks small, but really isnt. I love this car. The center arm rest can interfere with the hand brake, but its no big deal. Options can add-up to 30+k. Form follows function.

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  Great car, but make sure its certified - 2001 Audi A8
  By Pier Westra - June 9 - 1:08 pm

  Over the past three years, it seems like my A8L has been in the shop as much as in the garage. Fortunately, it was Certified, so except for the $50 deductible and inconvenience, it has been relatively painless. Here is a listing of problems: Thermostat (replaced along with timing belt @ 50K miles), vacuum hoses/connectors, Torque converter/Transmission (required replacement), peeling console material, etc. etc. etc....

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  A4 Review - 2003 Audi A4
  By snydert - June 9 - 2:00 am

  A4 is an unreliable auto. My vehicle was towed in 2 times in the first 6 months for blown coils. Headlights needed to be changed 6 times in the first year. Car is currently out of service for a blown oil pump, turbo and two cylinders. Audi would not provide a rental car and did not attempt in any way to assist. There was to be a recall on A4s for their oil pump, but was cancelled.

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  Great car for my daughter - 2006 Audi A4
  By Kris - June 8 - 9:45 pm

  I bought this car for my daughter to drive in college at University Of Colorado. We live in Southern California and so my daughter is not an experienced driver on snow and ice. Since I grew up in the Midwest, I know the importance of traction. Since I pay for the gas, I also know the importance of mileage. With 8 air bags, all wheel drive, Audi reliability, and a 100,000 bumper to bumper warranty, all coupled with 22 mpg City and 30 mpg country this car was our top pick. I lost a nephew in an accident so safety is also important to me. I own 8 vehicles of 2000 or newer including an S500 Mercedes. The A4 Audi is the "best bang for the buck" of all of them. I love the car!

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  great "german" - 2002 Audi A4
  By Marcis Liepins - June 8 - 9:27 pm

  Awesome exterior and interior. There is more space inside than I expected. Very comfortable to drive - more than Mercedes or BMW that I owned before. Reliable on curves. Low gas mileage, but if you want to save on gas, buy a chain saw!

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  The fun of an A4 Quattro 2.8 - 1999 Audi A4
  By Pete Hornig - June 7 - 10:00 am

  The quattro is excellent in all weather and the 2.8 engine is a must. Great looking car. Your friends will think it costs much more than it does. Interior space is a little limited in the rear. The cup holders are not the greatest and the climate controls should be placed more conveniently.

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  Entry luxury at its best - 2002 Audi A4
  By sb - June 7 - 10:00 am

  I love my car! I went from a 93 Ford Escort to a 2002 Audi A4 3.0. The handling is superb (sport pkg); the ride is a little more rough, but thats to be expected. The interior is very functional and the gauge cluster is very cool at night. The bose stereo is incredible. The seats are very comfortable. The exhaust note under full acceleration is a thing of beauty. I have a little over 3300 miles on my car and I have no complaints or issues.

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  The Best Car Ever Built - 2002 Audi A4
  By orchidsmith - June 7 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Audi A4 and there will definately be more in the future. This is the best car I have ever driven. The handling , power, design, Interior, exterior - everything is superb. I plan on buying my wife an A4 Avant next year. Awesome job Audi!!!!!

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  i LOOOOOOOVE my AUDI A6 - 2002 Audi A6
  By AudiAdi - June 5 - 7:04 pm

  The words can not express how much I enjoy this Car. I had purchased this car a year ago in 2005 and I just absolutely love it. It rides beautifully and it is such an awesome car to look at. All my friends love to ride in it as the rear seat has such luxurious space and comfort.

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  Excellent - 2003 Audi A4
  By bmv40 - June 3 - 10:39 pm

  I used to have BMW, I found AUDI more economical and they paid close attention to detail in exterior and especially interior. The engine, fuel consumption and performance is excellent. Smooth ride and thrill when turbo kicks-in. Interior electronics and design is superior quality and standards are much more than any other luxury car has.