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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  This is a machine! - 2006 Audi A6
  By Dawg Fan - January 10 - 8:44 pm

  I researched and drove the Mercedes E500 and the BMW 530xi before I drove this car. I went right back to the showroom and bought it - never looked back at the MB or BMW. The ride, power, handling, and technology in this car is head and shoulders above them. I get compliments from people that see this car at night! A real head turner. I love the MMI. The power in this 4.2 reminds me of my 2001 Corvette - this car may keep the Vette sitting in the garage under its cover.

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  WOW, what a car! - 2005 Audi A8
  By Simontemplar265 - January 10 - 5:47 pm

  Ive had them all, Beemers Mercs, Lexus LS 430 and SC430s, none come close. This is the finest of the big boys. Commodius, like a limo, drives and handles and fun with the triptonic. Eats up the miles and I have 7 speeding tickets to prove it (time for a radar detector). At 130 mph its like sitting in your living room and watching television in a very comfortable seat: If you try it, youll buy it!. No squeaks or rattles after 20,000 miles. What a car!

• 

  Amazing for its age - 1992 Audi 100
  By ScarcasticLA - January 10 - 4:43 am

  I bought this Audi, recently, with very low miles. It had been babied, but I must say, the vehicle has hardly aged. Design is not too dated & the interior quality is impeccable - definitely the most solid and well-crafted I have ever seen in a car over ten years old. I can echo other complaints - the coffee holder sounds petty, but, seriously, theres nowhere to even jimmy-rig one. The car is sluggish off the line and does shift a bit rough at times - surprising considering its a V6. But those are my few complaints. Gas mileage is great for the size (20mpg avg, city/highway), and the ride is soft without sacrificing crisp responsiveness. Parts, however, are hard to come by and pricey.

• 

  Best money I ever spent on a car. - 2005 Audi A8
  By Ken - January 9 - 11:09 pm

  The car is quiet - a great mobile office. But, with the optional paddle- shifters, its also like driving my S4 sport convertible, only heavier. It corners, accelerates, and responds phenominally. Ive driven them all - this is the best interior, most luxurious, fun, responsive luxury sport-sedan in the $80-120K range. Go for the paddles, the massage & ventilated seats, and the large multi-spoke wheels. I love my black, but its sweet in the grays too. Awesome in snow or on a sunny, winding road. MMI computer system is easy to read. Bluetooth phone system is excellent. Best $$$ I ever spent on a car!

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  Glad we selected the A8 - 2006 Audi A8
  By L. Walden - January 9 - 5:40 pm

  Audi management seems to understand that quality and performance will be rewarded. We tried many of the competitive cars in this class and chose the A8 for its performance with Quattro technology and the best interior of its peers. It is also nice to drive a best-in-class car without the haughty stigma attached. If we had the opportunity to drive over 130mph daily I would have considered the M5 (even though I dont like the body as much as the A8). But now with the S8 on the way it may be a moot point. An amazing day to day car. (Note: Unless you are riding in the back seat, skip the L version. The MMI is relatively easy to use. Get the premium package if you can.)

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  I finally got one! - 2005 Audi A4
  By quattro guy in FL - January 7 - 8:09 pm

  Having lusted over the A4 Avant for many years, my time has finally come! I just picked up the last 05 (old style) Avant at my dealers on Dec 31. Light silver w ebony interior, Premium, Sport, Cold Weather & Sound pkgs. A manual tranny would have been my preference, but Im already getting spoiled w the auto. Its tighter in the back seat than my 02 Saab 9-5, but the build quality, steering, stereo w XM, and yes, the performance, are top-notch. I cant wait for my first road trip in this baby.

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  Best sedan in 1992 - 1992 Audi 100
  By kajajessica - January 7 - 3:12 am

  Best used car I have ever owned. Fast, reliable, handles excellent, comfortable, good gas mileage. In the seven years of owning this car the only thing that went wrong was the passenger power seat control, other than that is oil changes and gas with one major tune up.

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  Not reliable at all - 1998 Audi A4
  By a4wagon - January 7 - 2:00 am

  This car is junky. I owned it less than a year and had $7000.00+ in repairs. Most of the time this was my primary vehicle, I was driving my 1995 Dakota instead, because it always runs. The timing belts on these will not last until the recommended service interval. This is critical for you to replace early if you have a 2.8 car. You will be VERY VERY unhappy if your belt goes. This will cost you thousands. Just replace the belt at about 50,000. I promise youll be glad you did. After that disaster, the car still has not been running well, and as you know it takes weeks and weeks to get these repairs done on an a4 at any of the dealerships.

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  Great Commuter - poor electronics - 2003 Audi A4
  By Carmen Chevalier - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Yep, another A4 with electronic problems. The washer fluid fuse has blown twice and Ive had the care for one month. Its irritating enough to make me want to call the consumer hotline and research the lemon law....washer fluid affects visibility, very important for a 31 mile commute. The stick is a bit stiff, and the gears should be a bit closer together. But for the fuse problem, I would be totally enamored with my car.

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  love this car - 2006 Audi A3
  By pablo - January 6 - 11:50 am

  Ive driven quite a few high-end cars and this is my favorite. This car brings together the styling and quality of a luxury vehicle with the fun factor of a sports car. If youre in the market for a new car, you must test-drive the A3.