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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  Love at first drive! - 2001 Audi S4
  By Sherl - November 14 - 1:36 am

  I fell in love with this car the first time I test drove it. It has awesome performance as well as a nice ride - you just feel good when you drive this car! Sometimes, though, love comes at a stiff price. 4 months after my warranty expired, the car required $2,000 in repairs - described as "normal wear & tear" items. 8 months later Ive dropped another $2,500 to have "routine" items repaired. Ive never had this much go wrong with a car!!! I have too much invested now to walk away, and I do love driving this car... But, my next car will not be an Audi.

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  Audi A4 2.8 Quattro - 1998 Audi A4
  By Derek - November 10 - 2:46 am

  This is the car I have been waitng for this car for 3 years and it is definitely worth the wait. I got rid of my 1997 850 Volvo and picked up a certified pre-owned 1998 with 25k miles on it. I could not be happier right now. I love my car!! Hopefully I will be saying this in 3 years from now.

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  Best overall!!!! - 2004 Audi S4
  By Brad - November 9 - 1:24 pm

  Fun, fast and high quality.

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  Great Decision - 2006 Audi A6
  By Andrea - November 8 - 11:23 pm

  I would have given 10s across the board, but havent driven the A6 in winter conditions yet. This is a car I look forward to driving for many reasons. I love the sport mode and watching the RPMs rev. The gadgets are great and comfort is superb.

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  The A6 is the better A8 - 2006 Audi A6
  By Mark - November 8 - 9:40 pm

  Just acquired this great A6 3.2L. The A6 Sedan offers all the great features of the A8. But it has the bigger and more flexible trunk. It combines luxury and utility. Its definitely the better A8 for 20.000 USD less.

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  Techno overkill - 2006 Audi A8
  By Tom J - November 8 - 1:04 am

  I do think its the best looking car on the road.The ride and handling is exquisite. The fit and finish is flawless. Unfortunately the MMI is ill-conceived and annoying at best. You need to agree to a waiver every time you start the car your bluetooth phone needs to be programmed every time you start the car its a two step process to change the setting on the heated seats the radio is the most annoying requiring multiple steps for every function. I owned an A6 4.2 and Id love to have those simple functions back. The folks at Audi need to realize less is more and technology should enhance the driving experience.

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  I think the Quality of the w12 is better - 2004 Audi A8
  By Get the w 12 - November 5 - 6:31 pm

  I have a 12 cylinder A8 and i love it. It beats my 760li, S65 AMG and my M5. All the problems listed below are probably only with the 8 cylinder. Audi Probably decided to make the w12 better mecanicly to help boost sales on it. I have barly driven my 3 other sedans ever since i got this car, Ive barly drivin my Aston Martin convertable. If you want a powerful, fast, brand name luxery car. Tou can not go wrong with this car. In my 7 months of owning it I havent had one pronlem.

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  A Great Car - 2001 Audi A6
  By Cameron - November 5 - 9:19 am

  I love this car! Bought it new and have had one electrical problem with radio that was covered under warrenty, but thats it. 10,000 miles between oil changes cant be beat. Very reliable and safe - best 4wd vehicle around for on street winter driving.

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  good and dependable - 1992 Audi 100
  By milan999 - November 4 - 7:01 pm

  Solid, fast, very comfortable, good handling, high speed performance truly great - goes like a high speed bullet train on a rail, almost nonexistent noise or vibration at 125-130 mph - still at 170,000 miles. I would say the car needed the most maintenance between 50,000-100,000, after that fairly low maintenance.

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  A4 CVT - 2006 Audi A4
  By Brent - November 4 - 8:16 am

  Build quality is very good. I bought mine first and wife then bought a red one. The most fun part is the CVT, but after you own it, the CVT is also the hard part to enjoy. It is not a regular transmission, feels odd on initial start up. Gets excellent economy and is very fast with the Turbo.