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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  Too bad Warranty Ended when it did - 2000 Audi A6
  By josh carter - October 24 - 11:52 pm

  Let me start off by saying I LOVE the interior design/ comforts. The car has been RELIABLE, but as soon as the warranty expired, the in-dash CD and the HUD info window started failing/ stopped all togther. Audi is aware of the HUD issues (very common issue), but refuses to address it out of warranty, and is VERY expensive to fix.

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  Love my car - 2005 Audi A8
  By Babra Bosch - October 21 - 12:09 am

  The A8 is simply the most wonderful car Ive had in years. I had a 740i before, and I now have an A8L 4.2. It is so much more luxurious- I looked at the BMW and Benz, wasnt particularly spurred, and looked at the Audi. I fell in love. Its so beautiful, so understated, packed with coddling features (massaged seats, alcantara inserts, flip-panel NAV system), and its more than $3K less than the next cheapest (BMW). The stereo is amazing, and it drives better than my old BMW (an 01 model).

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  Love my 3.0 cab - 2004 Audi A4
  By BB - October 20 - 5:01 pm

  Living in the northeast, I was hesitant to spend this much $ on a convertible, but have to say I love it. The performance, handling and comfort of the car is amazing. Cant imagine giving up any of the features. The 3.0 is a little sluggish off the line, but makes up for it quickly with a lot of power. Its so much fun to drive, looks great and is really comfortable.

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  Alaskan Audi !!!! - 2003 Audi A4
  By rl6246 - October 18 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. I was considering the BMW 3-series, but the Audi was less expensive with basically the same features, except the BMW I was looking at did not have AWD. It handles great in the snow and ice. It also handles well with five passengers in the car and I was running the car at 120mph! The only problem I had with the car is that it did not have power seats. I expect that feature should be on a $30,000 car. It comes as an option but a delayed introduction and only on the driver seat. Audi should have also painted the lower panels of the car like the A6. I think its very ugly. Now Im forced to buy a bodykit for the car to make it look better.

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  Fun car - 2001 Audi TT
  By Red TT owner - October 15 - 1:31 pm

  This is a fun car to own and drive, it attracts attention where ever you drive it. The handling with the AWD is exciting on backroads.

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  Confidence of a Tank - 1996 Audi A6
  By Thomas - October 13 - 10:02 pm

  Bought this car from original owner with 89,500 miles on the odometer. So far all I have done to it in the past 10,000 miles is change the oil once, and change the timing belt.(Recommended every 90,000 miles.) So far car has averaged as much as 26 mpg highway - and as low as 16 mpg city. Very pleased with quattro drive in all types of weather. Would recommend.

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  1 sweet car - 2002 Audi A4
  By Ali - October 13 - 4:01 pm

  Sweet car, but taillights keep going out. Love the power memory seats, only car in its class I know of that has rear heated seats, love the looks, turns a lotta heads. I think audi is a great German brand, its a real nice car (I have the auto).

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  Great Car - 2006 Audi TT
  By eddie - October 13 - 3:21 pm

  Great Car, fast, handles great, backseats are fine for small children, Great interior, comfy seats

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  Constant problems - 2001 Audi A6
  By jchambers - October 13 - 2:00 am

  great performance and comfort. quattro is bonus in New England weather--but Ive had transmission and electronic problem ever since I drove it off the lot. I have the 4.2 LOADED, the car was $52K- I expected so much more for that kind of money and a german automobile. Will never get one again or recommnend to anyone.Thank God its a lease.

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  STELLAR DESIGN, NOT RUN OF THE MILL - 2006 Audi A6
  By ADAM - October 12 - 12:22 pm

  Ive recently switched from my 3rd BMW to the Audi. The all wheel drive Quattro system makes me wonder how I ever drove the rear wheel drive BMW. The performance of the Audis Quattro System, even in dry conditions, gives the driver complete control in sport driving conditions. I truly feel the quality and fit and finish are much better. BMWs new 5 and 7s awkward design and cumbersom interiors really turned me off. The MMI system is also very convenient and easy to use unlike the I Drive which seems to only complicate things.