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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  A4 rules - 1996 Audi A4
  By Gene - March 19 - 2:00 am

  My A4 has been very good to me. I bought it used, in 2002. It had one problem, a coolant leak in a place thats tough to get to. I had it fixed and haventhad any other problems since. Knock on wood.

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  my tt - 2002 Audi TT
  By michellemms3 - March 18 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. Fun to drive, and in good driving/weather conditions it takes care of you. I have the performance tires so snow & ice can be tricky, but the all wheel drive is wonderful in the snow. This car has very confident acceleration, and handling.

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  great car! - 1993 Audi S4
  By crymer - March 17 - 2:00 am

  This car truly is a great example of German automaking. Fast, fun, reliable, it does everything well. Quattro makes it able to drive fast in rain or snow when other cars just cant get traction.

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  MY AUDI S4 IS AWESOME - 2004 Audi S4
  By dkandel1950 - March 17 - 2:00 am

  I had been waiting for my lease to end and have been holding out for a car that offered performance, 4 doors, and all- wheel drive. The M3 only has 2 doors and a manual tranny The AMG lacks some sportiness, body style is ok but unassuming, also costs more too. This car hauls and the all-wheel drive makes the tires power all 4 wheels while gripping the road like glue. The tires are special continental 18 inch high performance tires that came with the car and are specially tested and matched to the audi S4 at the factory.

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  5 Years and Going Strong - 1999 Audi A4
  By st-elias - March 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new 5 years ago and I have had a smile ever since. I have comfortably driven it in temperatures ranging from -56F to 103F. The quattro traction system is unbeatable on snow and ice the car provides a great sense of stability and security. I have maintained it to the manual and at 70K miles I replaced all the belts and water pump as a preventative measure. I had only minor problems during the warranty period and all were repaired quickly and completely by the dealer. The Avant gives me most of the storage capacity of an SUV without the penalty of bulk.

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  beyond expectation - 2004 Audi A8
  By shereen - March 16 - 2:00 am

  A very smooth and more comfortable ride than expected. It is very quick and has a very amazing sound system. Every feature is easy to use.

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  Minor faults - I love it - 2003 Audi A4
  By DN - March 14 - 10:00 am

  My last car was an Acura, which was wonderfull car, but as much fun as an reliable appliance. I love to drive this car. It has left me wanting for nothing but open road. It took this past NY winter completely in stride - Quattro, heated seats,headlight washers, great defrosters etc.. Looks great in Denium Blue w/the optional 17" wheels My only problems have been with a left turn signal that only worked intermittantly for about a month, (its working agin full time) and the dashboard read out of the outside temperature - its usually way off

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  Great Value - 2003 Audi A4
  By Tough Sale - March 14 - 10:00 am

  I have had my A4 for about a month. Its a great value compared to others in its class, like the BMW 3 or Saab or Volvo. A bit sluggish off the line, but handles great and has great features. I especially like the Audi red illumination. The drivers seat is a bit cramped with the center console encroaching but I got over that after the first week.

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  A4 review - 1999 Audi A4
  By 3 bar - March 13 - 2:00 am

  Overall im very pleased with my vehicle However ive had a few problems with it. The drivers side window has been giving me issues. It appears to bind at times not wanting to go up also, the MFA illumination doesnt work well all the time. I wasnt expecting a cream puff since I bought it used but, these are issues I didnt expect these so soon. The car so far has been super reliable with great handling in any weather condition. I generally get about 27.5 mpg hwy and 23 in the city. Overall imvery happy with my purchase and would buy another A4.

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  2004 Audi A6 Avant - Superb! - 2004 Audi A6
  By MPero - March 13 - 2:00 am

  My A6 Avant is a sporty and versatile alternative to an SUV, more fun to drive, gets better gas mileage, and is nicer looking. The cars build quality is evident with no sqeaks or rattles in spite of really rotten local roads. The electronic stabization program/yaw control and quattro kept me in control and safe while swerving into the Interstate median grass at 70 MPH when an 18 wheeler blew a tire directly in front of me. The A6 is a much better value for the dollar as compared to BMW 530 Wagon or MB E320 Wagon and gives nothing up to those two marques. The interior materials are superb. We could not be pleased more with our new A6 Avant!