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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  autobahn here I come - 2000 Audi A4
  By khouryp23 - December 1 - 12:41 am

  This has been a very solid car for my wife. It could use a few more horsepower, and I wouldnt recommend it if you have kids or need to have people in the backseat much. Get the quattro, its worth the extra cash. Car handles great and build quality is second to none. Ive had no major mechanical issues so far (50k). We do experience the occasional electronic gremlin. nothing major, and they always work after re-starting the car. My biggest gripe is.... No useful cup-holders. Oh yeah, the tiptronic shifter is pretty slick, much better than some others Ive driven.

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  AutoA428 / Hi Maintenance - 1998 Audi A4
  By Jonathan Kocay - November 30 - 2:00 am

  would not recommend due to very high maintanenace costs - 1st gear of Manual transmission is going / replaced catalytic converter /was leaking oil fixed and a year later is leaking again.

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  Excellent - 2003 Audi A4
  By Willy - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Excellent on everything. Sleek design, excellent interior and exterior. Fuel economy is the only minus.

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  Complete Package - 2005 Audi S4
  By c2silver - November 29 - 10:06 pm

  Has 4 wheel drive, power, good visibility, and not too many other S4s on the road.

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  better than my Pontiac GTP in every way - 2004 Audi TT
  By M. Gregory - November 28 - 9:41 pm

  I have always owned GM products, now I see the reason people are buying the foreign autos, I love the head and leg room, the fuel economy, the sheer performance of this little 4 cylinder, manual/automatic car. 130 MPH smooth as silk in my 180 HP weeney model, it is pure fun, my wife and me have had more fun with this car than any car, bike, truck or camper we own,

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  Never Loved a Car Until the S4 - 2006 Audi S4
  By Adam05.5 S4 - November 27 - 8:41 pm

  Fantastic car! Ive had Porsches, BMW Ms, and this 05.5 S4 is really the first car I really love. Its a great balance of understatement with raw power and fun. Fuel economy and lack of a few technical toys available on some 30k cars are my only complaints. Car handles fantastically. With winter tires, its unbelievable in the snow. No complaints! The exhaust note is just PERFECT.

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  2016 Audi Q5 - 2016 Audi Q5
  By audi owner - November 27 - 4:42 pm

  superb! love this car!

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  5th Audi and still loving them... - 2005 Audi A6
  By Jeff - November 27 - 12:08 pm

  This is my 5th Audi (93 100, 2000 A6, 2002 A6, 2004 A4 Cabriolet) and by far the best in performance, control and design. The lag many speak of, lessens after 3000 miles or so on the car. Minus a few dashboard squeaks and one airbag issue at delivery, this car is flawless. Audi has always been a standout among other German brands in term of quality, interior design and never blends in to the crowd of so many other boring vehicles. Being a loyal owner also means putting up with the little annoyances that you have to expect from Audi.

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  Awesome Audi!!! - 2010 Audi A4
  By David Holmes - November 26 - 11:01 am

  This is a very nice, reliable car. I am truly enjoying the ride.........

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  Great Car, Great Engine, Good Mileage - 2005 Audi A6
  By Robert Wang - November 26 - 7:47 am

  I bought an A6L which is more than 3.7 inches longer inside (only available in China). It comes with a 2 litre fsi turbo engine with 170hp and 280nm of torque from 1800 - 4200 rpm. with a 6 spd manual gearbox. Its a great car inside and out. The award winning engine is very responsive, good low end torque and efficient (30mpg), no turbo lag. It has great headroom and legroom. MMI is easy to use. Vision is good all round. Build quality is up there. Steering is quick and accurate as it is not as nose heavy as larger engines. Ride is comfortable. Its USD 22K cheaper than a BMW 525i so its no brainer. Very impressed. My 1st Audi.