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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  audi 8L-mixed bag - 2004 Audi A8
  By alfred elk - March 31 - 2:00 am

  This my first Audi, I have previously driven other high end sedans and sport cars. The beautiful interior, especially the dash was the best selling point. The car has great power, handling and braking. I have had a number of serious technical problems. The first was being locked out of the car, with only 500 miles, a non operatin heated steering wheel, and most importantly a less than complete NAV system. The NAV system occasionally takes me to the right address in the wrong town. It also fails to give complete numerical addresses. Audi does not seem to have a fix for this problem.

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  Wow, what a car! - 2004 Audi A8
  By audiman13 - March 31 - 2:00 am

  So far this car is outstanding, the comfort, the performance and the look. this sedan is big, a lot of leg room in this vehicle. the truck is huge, i can place 4 golf bags and still have room for luggage.

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  fun in the winter - 1998 Audi A4
  By Sharky poo - March 30 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is amazing! I used to drive a 1999 Acura Integra GS-R and the performance is very close between them. The 190hp is enough to push around the estimated 4,500lbs that the car weighs. The handling is also great due to the AWD. It has the high performance Brembo Break kit which makes stopping extremely easy. This car is like a tank. The body is solid and so is the drivetrain, and it will go anywhere

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  So far so good - 2001 Audi A4
  By abacabdan - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this car for about 8 months, and so far I love it. The driving position is ideal (unlike other reviewers, I love the position of the armrest), and I find the car to be very comfortable for both short and long trips. Not to mention the fact that it is gorgeous! Truly one of the best looking cars on the road. Nothing but good things to say about the service dept so far (hopefully that will stay the same when the warranty runs out later this year)

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  Second A6 2.7 T - 2004 Audi A6
  By sdsiragusa - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I was fortunate to have a certified 2000 Audi 2.7 T for three months before my new Audi arrived. I was very pleased with the four year old models performance and durability. The new model is not very different from the older model and that pleases me. Ive owned several Mercedes during the past eighteen years. This car is every bit as nice to drive and has many features that I prefer to those of the Mercedes.

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  Jons Review - 2003 Audi A4
  By JRSCGSR - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Awesome car, totally love it, but does have some weaknesses. Needs more power, and seats that hold you better, but I cant complain. I get so many stares with this car, handles awesome!! Looks are amazing and the interior is to die for. Makes other cars in the class look like economy cars.

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  Exceptional Vehicle (So Far) - 2003 Audi A4
  By NateCunningham - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I recently purchased a red A4 with the sport package, BOSE stereo, heated seats, sunroof, platinum leather. So far I am very pleased with the purchase although I have realized my right rear tail light is out already and there are some squeaking noises inside the cabin around the doors and now in the plastic that covers the odometer. Those are minor things and can be fixed, overall the quality seems to be very nice.

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  B6 (2002-) A4 Review - 2003 Audi A4
  By 2002quattro - March 30 - 2:00 am

  The new A4 simply blows the competition out of the water. Before I bought my a4 I looked at the 3-Series, WRX, C-Class, S60, 9-3 Viggen, and the IS300. The A4 is the best looking inside and out of itÂ’s group. The quality feels much richer than the cheap looking Japanese brands and it even bettered the other Euros. The handling is 30% stiffer than the old model A4, which translates to better handling than the competition. As far as steering response the 3-series takes the cake, but in actual road holding the a4 wins hands down.Quattro lets you drive on the edge in any condition. The A4 comes with a great warranty that you can lose for a 350 hp upgrade

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  Good Buy - 2016 Audi A6
  By Fumin Zhang - March 30 - 1:44 am

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  NON BORING VEHICLE - 2000 Audi A6
  By ehirsch60 - March 29 - 2:00 am

  • Definitely enjoyable, non- boring vehicle. Regret to let go when the new body style comes out. • Rides and handles smooth with some upper cabin wind noise. Triptronic is excellent but dislike short 1st gear up-shift & no slow down-shift to 1st. • Engine mounts where replaced by manufacturer within first 2000 miles but never had a problem again there are some trouble with engine vacuum lines which sporadically triggers the engine check light, no a major issue. Driver’s seat leather faded quickly. • Great overall, withstands abuse, reliable wear & tear, I would buy again without a doubt.