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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  If only it had a better transmission - 2011 Audi Q5
  By petehogwallop - November 27 - 2:00 am

  After 1500 miles a few observations about the car. While overall a nice ride, it is hampered by the 8 speed tranny. It stutters and can be very harsh at low speeds (under 10mph). It feels similar to a car that is sputtering at idle, although it is coming from the transmission, not the engine. The tranny also is constantly shifting, and the sport mode doesnt seem to make it any "smarter" at gear selection, it just holds it for higher revs. My Sienna minivan provides smarter, smoother, quicker shifts (hows that for an insult?).

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  First 3 months with my 2009 A5 - 2009 Audi A5
  By Larry - November 23 - 2:00 am

  Initially I was looking at either BMWs or Lexus but very happy I found this 2009 A5. I wanted a car that looks nice, has great value and fun to drive. I get two to three compliments a week in my red A5. It has many features that are worth having like the B&O stereo (a must) and the blind- spot alert LEDs on each side-view mirror. The voice-prompt feature also works extremely well when changing the audio input and nav commands. The car handles very well and is quick, especially in the Sport mode. The doors open wide so easy to get in/out of the comfortable seats. The air- conditioning systems works very well and is quiet. The trunk and the sunroof are surprisingly large.

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  Bought New - My 3rd and best A-6 - 2008 Audi A6
  By Douglas - November 22 - 2:00 am

  This is my third Audi A-6 (had a 2000 and 2004 A-6 turbo 2.7 models). I thoroughly enjoy the car. It is by far the best vehicle Ive owned. Drove it down to Virginia and back two weeks ago moving with traffic at 75+ and averaged 28 mpg on the highway. It accelerates nicely in Sport mode, has lots of room. The only real annoying problem I had occurred at 46,000 miles - the starter relay switch went - the car just wouldnt start one rainy evening. I had to have the car towed, however Audi gave me a loaner, paid for the tow and repaired it quickly. It has more interior room than the Mercedes E and BMW 5 series. I highly recommend this car.

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  Fabulous vehicle - 2011 Audi Q5
  By Len - November 22 - 2:00 am

  We recently purchased a 2011 Q5 3.2. I am very pleased with our purchase. My last three vehicles were a BMW X3, a BMW X5, and a VW Tiguan. The Q5 has the convenient size of the X3 with superior handling, the luxury and comfort of the X5, and the biggest surprise it has better gas mileage than the Tiguan. Audi Raleigh has treated us like life long customers and definitely make us feel like we matter. A world class vehicle from a world class dealer. Thanks Audi and Audi Raleigh.

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  Cant believe it - 2001 Audi TT
  By carguy - November 16 - 2:00 am

  I have read every review, looked at so many different cars and got lucky enough to find this one. I had heard of problems with the car, but in the 6 years that we have had it, it is the best car I ever owned. Knock on wood, frequent oil changes and a timing belt change have been my only expenses. It gets great mileage, is all wheel drive and can haul plenty of stuff. I now have 142,000 miles on it and it looks as good as the day we picked it up from the dealership. When I tell people the how old it is, they cannot believe. I have had a Boxster, miata, Nissan 350Z and this is still my favorite. Is it the fastest or best handling, no, but it looks great and performs well.

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  Near Perfectoin - 2011 Audi S4
  By H - November 15 - 2:00 am

  I have owned an E92 335 and an E90 M3, and can say this is the best car I have ever owned. The combination of performance, comfort and price point is ideal when compared to competitors. The performance isnt quite in M3 territory, but the increased torque in this car, particularly on the low-end, make this car more fun and usable as a daily driver (not to mention its about $15k cheaper than the M3). The S4 is also faster than the 335 and has a superior interior and stereo. The B&O system is impressive. Overall the car is amazing, only small nits that I can complain about...no memory seats, transmission is a bit lazy in auto mode

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  Exactly what I needed - 2011 Audi Q5
  By twotonjonnytwoshoes - November 15 - 2:00 am

  I drove a 2500 chevy silverado for the past 4 years, driving over 60 miles a day to school and back. I questioned whether I would need the pick up function of my pick up truck, but I do not miss it one bit. I test drove all the other new vehicles and this one out classes them all. I spend my winters in VT at the ski hills and the Q5 is very sure footed. I have zero regrets, I LOVE the Audi Q5.

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  My first car =) - 2010 Audi A5
  By 1stcar - November 14 - 2:00 am

  I got this car on my birthday and its the talk of my High school! Fun to drive LOVE the MMI. Has a lot of get up and go! Awesome stereo and beautiful interior

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  The Car Everyone Wants - Literally - 2011 Audi A5
  By trakkarclay - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Has to be one of the most spirited 4-cylinder cars on the road. It prefers to drive fast with lots of torque to bring in the turbocharger. However, when driving residential it is a bit sluggish off the line. It feels like it starts in 3rd to save gas. If you have the Sport package, you can put it in tiptronic mode and shift the gears, which gives it more pick up.

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  Amazing - 2006 Audi A4
  By Vasil - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Amazing car! I have owned Mercedes, BMW and now Audi! And I want to say German cars are the best! And also I want to say to everybody: the Germans car need more care than others! If you not care about your car, you will get a lot of problems! So stop writing bad reviews! Check oil level on every fueling, dont drive you car after starting the engine first time in the morning, wait couple minuets, dont kill engine, and you never get a problems!