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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  Best Luxury Car on the Market oday - 2004 Audi A8
  By charlie1 - March 1 - 2:00 am

  From the moment you get behind the wheel of this Euro Luxury Sedan you never want to put yourself in another Japanese knockoff. Even th Q45 which has been trying to copy Audi for ears cant match this all Aluminum ( I mean really "all aluminum" not the fake Jaquar aluminum )for its rideability, handling and overall owner experience. Wow...

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  My life with an A4 - 1998 Audi A4
  By MikeSanto - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this car for over four years now and have loved every minute of it. It is tons of fun to drive, gets great gas mileage and is quite comfortable. The egineering details are fantastic. Four and a half years later I dont think there are many cars with a nicer interior design, and I still get compliments on how good the car looks. Reliability has been very good (though likely not on par with Japanese makes). Service and parts can be expensive, but I dont think the prices are out of line for a car in this category. Overall, I would recommend an A4 to anyone who loves to drive, and appreciates well thought-out automotive engineering.

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  Andy d - 2016 Audi Q5
  By Andrew Duke - February 26 - 1:52 pm

  Compare price offered to kkb.com

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  best awd on the market and fun to drive - 2000 Audi TT
  By Eaglehwk02@aol.com - February 26 - 2:00 am

  had this car a year now and its been flawless. Best car I have ever owned

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  great - 2004 Audi A6
  By riaz - February 26 - 2:00 am

  fuel effecient , beutiful interior design , fun to drive, made for long commutes.

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  style - 2001 Audi TT
  By britracing - February 26 - 2:00 am

  only owned a short time so i know nothing of reliablility, but the interior and exterior are a knockout.

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  Excellent Car - 1997 Audi A8
  By AL/Dallas - February 25 - 2:00 am

  This car looks much better in real-life than in pictures. I bought mine for the fact that it is a rare car. You see 20 BMW 7 series for every A8 you see on the road. The gearing is set too high so that stoplight launches are not spectacular but this car has fantastic passing speed. Ive taken it up to 130 mph and the engine doesnt even strain. The transmission is turbine smooth and shifts seamlessly. The interior is luxurious yet sporty and logically laid out. Maintenance is expensive (similiar to Mercedes and BMW) but expected. The A8 makes my friends Acura RL feel like a Honda Accord. Always fun to drive.

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  audiS4 kicksbtt - 2001 Audi S4
  By bindato - February 25 - 2:00 am

  total fun, drove it on alcan, awesome winter car, not good for big family- rear space little tight

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  german muscle car - 2004 Audi S4
  By sssssssss - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Dear car lovers iam fortunate to have owned over 15 new cars in the last 15 years.Xkrs,A8l,lotus,540i.... This s4 is solid ,fast,fun and the quality and looks of these new audis in my opinion is leaving bmws behind slowly but surely.It seems these guys at edmunds are afraid to admit this?

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  Lisas Go-Cart - 2004 Audi TT
  By LisaMorgan333 - February 25 - 2:00 am

  This is my second TT. I totaled my 2001 about a year ago. This has to be one of the safest cars on the road. My car flipped a few times & I didnt have any injuries. Thankfully I was wearing my seatbelt. I just bought a 2004 and I couldnt be happier. I know as long as I dont get hit by a train, I am safe.