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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  Surprisingly satisfied Audi - 2007 Audi A4
  By fastorange - March 28 - 6:53 pm

  Just got an A4 2.0T 6MT as my 2nd car due to its attractive lease deal. I wasnt an Audi fan & never like quattro or FWD cars. My previous driving expriences on 1st Gen S4 was so-so only. I was always thought of getting a BMW 3 series as my daily. After I owned this A4 for a few weeks, I fell in love with the new 07 A4. Its suspension is so composed, even with the base 16" wheel/tire setup, the suspension setting is firm yet comfortable. Handling is neutral to very minimal understeer. Overall experience is very good, on par with the last 3 series I drove. The 6MT shifts better than any BMW, period. Now, with $100 lower on monthly payment. I totally forget about the BMW and Im loving it.

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  THE CARS THAT SPOIL YOU - 1998 Audi A4
  By justchris - March 28 - 2:00 am

  I have put 18000 miles on my beautiful red/black leather interior/5speed/Quattro in the past 18 months and I love it. The only disappointemnt was the Bose speaker in the rear blew and Audi would not repair it. I think Bose should have replaced it, but Audi covers it only to 50,000 miles, which I think being a Bose,one of the best they should cover it. Besides that it is so nice looking and handles like a dream. In the rain 65 on aramp is nothing. It is wonderful. Ive had 45 cars so far in my life. My 2nd Audi and I just love them.Cant be beat!

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  A good buy - 2001 Audi A6
  By Liboz - March 28 - 2:00 am

  No Problem Still under initial warranty.

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  Love it! - 2002 Audi A4
  By chepd8t - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Love this car!!!! If you are looking in this price range, stop looking and just go buy the Audi

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  Wonderful Automobile - 2003 Audi A4
  By tsnigg - March 25 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had the car for a few weeks. But so far I am impressed. Initial quality is excellent. Performance is exactly what I was looking for and the interior cant be beat at this price. Just awesome.

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  A6Q - 2004 Audi A6
  By driver9999 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  great ca, especially in snow

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  tricked out A4 - 2001 Audi A4
  By a4driver - March 22 - 2:00 am

  I love my A4 to death, but Id never recommend one. Simply too many small problems the vac lines went (I replaced them myself), a bent hose "shredded itself," the ignition coils went out and were replaced by the dealership - but only one by one, even though they had a design flaw. In the mean time I had to have the car towed twice and drove it on three cylinders once - not fun. If youre into cars and dont mind repairing them yourself, go for it. I have mine completely tricked out with a stage 3 turbo upgrade (~280 hp/300 ft- lbs 310+ hp with race gas, for which I also have an additional program), upgraded coilover suspension, A8 brakes, swaybar, etc.

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  Most fun I ever had - 2001 Audi A4
  By Ruben from Brooklyn - March 22 - 2:00 am

  This car handles like a dream. Takes the curves like its on rails. Accelerates quickly from a dead stop. Stock pirelli tires were destroyed by new york potholes, purchased Pilot A/S, no more blown tires. The interior is nice enough to get positive comments from passengers. The stereo is okay, but could be better. As for reliability, I had problems with the following: Oil pump, power windows, sunroof, locks, tensioner, recall on iginition coil. My next car will be a Japanese make for the reliability. Had my integra past 110,000 miles and only replaced clutch and brakes.

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  S4 - Audis Premier Sports Sedan - 2004 Audi S4
  By Lawrence Green - March 21 - 2:00 am

  This is one super automobile. Car is 4 months old with about 7500 miles. Performance is outstanding even with the 6 speed Tiptronic. Handling is superior with the 18 in tires. Car is a smallish, tight rocket ship with 340 hp and a V8 engine. Recaro seats are superb. Fit and finsih are superb. On- Star Telematics with built in phone is a real plus. S4 is expensive, but on balance, worth it. Unless you can afford the RS6, this is the car to go with. Forget the M3, go for the S4 with awd.

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  Cant Leave The Drivers Seat - 2002 Audi TT
  By speed07 - March 21 - 2:00 am

  Oh my gosh, this has to be one of the most fun driving cars ever. I went to a car show and was strolling around and found an Audi and there was a TT Coupe and i had to sit in it. Once closing the door I fell in love. I couldnt figure out wether it was how quiet the cabin was or how it felt like I was going fast while standing still. So when I got home I researched them and decided to buy used and got a 2002 Audi TT Coupe 225 Hp and am never getting another car until this one quits. No matter how fast your going with the quattro you can whip it in and out of the curves with no slipage and the engine keeps pumping out RPMs.