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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  A Delight to Drive - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Phoenix traveler - April 19 - 9:43 am

  We wanted SUV performance without the bulk. As occassional off roaders who spend many hours driving long distance freeway miles we were looking for a multi purpose car. The Audi allroad has more than met our expectations.

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  So far so good - 2007 Audi A4
  By SG - April 18 - 6:16 pm

  Start with the engine - 2.0 liter mated to the 6 spd and the Quattro drive... astonishing torque and smoothness for the size. Turbo lag is virtually eliminated with DFI. Low end grunt is not awesome, but its not to be expected. The exterior is a matter of taste - I love the design. Interior is very quiet, comfortable, well appointed.

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  Fun but not without issues - 2001 Audi TT
  By Old TT Driver - April 18 - 12:57 am

  Bought my TT in Dec 03 with 39000 miles on it. Quick off the line and handled great but the car was constantly at the dealer. The issues I had: rear trunk lock broke, replaced rear deck lid, window motors replaced twice, turbo failed 5 times, a/c compressor went out twice and entire a/c system replaced-interior panels broke during removal and were replaced. New battery, alternator and O2 sensor. Multiple rattles and car would shake at idle especially when a/c on-dealer could not fix. Glove box broke but not covered under warranty- $900. Brakes under warranty $2000 and timing belt service $1700-found water pump leaking. Just got rid of because assured warranty up.

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  my dream car... - 2002 Audi TT
  By Gus - April 17 - 11:01 am

  It is all you need on a car!! Fast and reliable! Since I was a kid I was dreaming about the car!! The only problem: cops! they really chase you all around!! Audis warranty is also awesome!! They really take care of you and your car!!

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  Style - 2006 Audi A6
  By Nad.Ffog - April 16 - 11:03 pm

  This is my second Audi A6 Avant (wagon). I love the outdoors, and this car is a perfect compliment. This past winter, Ive skiied in the Sierra Nevada Mtns almost every weekend. Huge snows. Even with the stock M&S tires, this car performs magically. The A6 Quattro definitely inspires confidence.

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  A6 vs 530i - 2006 Audi A6
  By das - April 16 - 3:06 pm

  My 2006 BMW 530i was totaled in an accident after 3 months and since it took 6 weeks for the repair shop to get BMW to determine it was totaled, I elected to go with an A6. Both are great cars. The 530 has better low end torque and is quicker off the line. Both have a great road feel. The Audi Navigation and computer are much more user friendly. As far as gas mileage, I was getting 20+ with the BMW. Im getting similar mileage with the Audi although my last tank was around 18 - 19.

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  OVER 160K AND THE CAR JUST WONT DIE - 1996 Audi A4
  By Tom Cannone - April 16 - 11:05 am

  I loved the style of the A4, smaller then the A6, its a little more nimble then the bigger Audi cars in the line up. I have a limited GOLD package that was offered in 3 different colors only, black, green, and white. This car has just about every option available, heated leather seats, sunroof, BOSE audio, QUATTRO, ski bag, heated washer nozzles, alloy rims, everything! Plus a nice slick shifting 5spd to add to the fun. The car has 166k and the damn thing just wont give up, the engine hums and the famed AWD is near flawless in any weather condition, luxury, style, and class appeal are very noticable in this car, not to mention its made for all year round weather. Id buy another 10 audi/vws

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  Quattro BLAST! - 2006 Audi A3
  By RobPaul - April 15 - 11:22 am

  This car is a 4wheel Quattro BLAST! I considered the Subaru WRX as another fast mini-wagon, but after comparing the 2, the Audi made the Subaru seem cheap and tinny. The DSG (direct shift gearbox) is amazingly smooth and snappy as any manual transmission shifter can do on their own.

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  2006 Audi A 3 - 2006 Audi A3
  By Haledon 101 - April 15 - 10:30 am

  Have mine for 6K miles. So far its great. Tight ride, quick, the skylight opens the whole car up. The DSG trans is AWESOME. This coming from someone who hasnt owned an automatic for 20 years. Slight turbo lag in low (1st) gear but no problem in Sport or Manual mode. I dont see many on the road... this is a good thing.

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  Very nice sportwagon - 2006 Audi A3
  By bruintoo - April 14 - 12:32 pm

  The engine/drivetrain combination on the A3 is amazingly wonderful. 200 hp on tap with superfast and supersmooth DSG. The style is subtle and sublime. The interior is impeccably Audiesque.