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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  Great automobile - 2004 Audi A6
  By mary sloan - October 22 - 2:00 am

  A great driving 300HP car. My major complaint is city milage but it is an 8. Just a comfortable great handling automobile whit lots of power.

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  Highly recommended compact SUV - 2017 Audi Q3
  By Wendy - October 19 - 11:26 pm

  I’ve been a long-time Audi owner (A6, TT, A4) so it seemed pretty straight-forward to try out the Audi line when we were ready to replace our SUV. I had been eagerly awaiting the US release of the Q3 after researching it from afar. Before buying, I drove the Q7 and Q5 for comparison. Both beautiful cars, but we were looking for something compact. I give the Q3 5-stars in every category but acceleration, control logic, and road noise. The acceleration is fine, just a little less gutsy than some of the Audis I’ve fricen before. The control logic is great, except for the sound system control. They’ve moved it from the main center console to the center dash console. (Edit: after driving the vehicle for 8 months I no longer notice the difference) Road noise in an SUV is almost always going to be heard, add in winter tires on weathered roads and it’s pretty much impossible to keep it quiet. Not too bad, considering. Everything else has been exactly what I have come to expect from an Audi.

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  Love It! - 2000 Audi A6
  By sh - October 19 - 2:00 am

  The A6 is a great car, easily comparable to the BMW 5 series or the Mercedes E class. Test drive this before you purchase a car in this class!

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  No Doubt I am Pleased - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Adrienne Wallace - October 19 - 2:00 am

  This is my 5th Audi. I lease every 3 years....I have never experienced vehicle let down. Additionally I have had the same salesperson for all 5 de

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  A8L Masterpiece - 2004 Audi A8
  By palm99 - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Choose the A8 over the 7Series. Glad I did. Care is a lot more personable. Excellent choice. Only dissapointment is the fact that I wasant aware of XM radio. Not available until 12/03.

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  AUDI - 2004 Audi A6
  By R BERKE - October 19 - 2:00 am

  OVERALL ONE OF THE BEST I HAVE EVER OENED. PREVIOUS CAR WAS JAG- S SERIES. AUDI EASILY OUTPERFORMS.

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  underpowered but nice - 2002 Audi A4
  By slo poke - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Love the way this car tracks, but Im not satisfied with the power. There are very few cars that are slower off the line. This car needs about 40-50 more horsepower to be competitive. Low end torque is also weak.

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  Avant - 2002 Audi A4
  By Hankdoll - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Was skeptical about buying a first model year car. Additionally, our last 1999 A4 was plagued with mechanical issues. However, Audi service is excellent and made up for our troubles. We took the plunge and bought this car anyway (for a wagon, its gorgeous). 6000 miles thus far with no problems. Car is much better all around than previous model. Very happy with purchase.

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  The Best of Sports Cars - 2004 Audi TT
  By Bill LaRoche - October 17 - 2:00 am

  No need to go into detail.......The best of the pst 4 sports cars Ive owned...flawless............

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  Everyday is raceday at Le Mans - 2002 Audi TT
  By MNR - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Have had the ALMS for just over a year and a half and i never get tired of looking at it. Got the Avus silver with red leather interior and its the most beautiful interior ive ever seen in a car regardless of price. Being single, this car doesnt dissappoint. Great handling car, could use better steering feel and weight and less turbo lag. Definately need a radar detector with this one.....