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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  Vermont A8 - 1999 Audi A8
  By cbmac - July 30 - 2:00 am

  This car has great power and is a joy to drive. Also, the car does great in the winter, and does not even need snow tires in Vermont where we normally get more than 110 inches of snow. I have never been stuck, even going up in the mountains while going skiing.

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  will keep till 80-90K,still excelrnt vehicle! - 2014 Audi Q5
  By Russ Andrews - July 29 - 8:43 pm

  Being picky, the only drawback to this fine car is the computer behind the nav system. Steep learning curve and not easily used info input system

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  quattro 4 life - 2000 Audi A4
  By woodyp - July 28 - 2:00 am

  This car has been great..its fun and with a chip very fast. It drives like its on rails and is a well made car

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  Germans Rule the Road esp. Audi - 2002 Audi A4
  By SBracewell - July 28 - 2:00 am

  I have owned many cars in my 39 years of life: 3 American, 6 Japanese, and 5 German. I can say w/o a doubt that the German made cars are the best. Ive owned 3 BMWs, 1 Mercedes and my new 03 Audi A4. I can honestly say that no one builds a car like the Germans. Of the lot Mercedes ranks 3rd, BMW 2nd and Audi is #1 as being the Best Car I have Ever Owned. The Mercedes was a good car to drive but it was always in the shop for something. BMW ranks a close 2nd to the Audi, but it cant compare to the fine int. and attention to detail that Audi pays to its cars. In my book Audi is the Gold Standard that all other Car companies should be measured.

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  Very please with my 2006 A4 2.0T - 2006 Audi A4
  By Pablo - July 27 - 11:30 pm

  Overall, Im really ecstatic about my car. Just over 7000 miles so far with not a single issue. The interior is fantastic, it drives and handles really well (recently took it on a trip up the PCH to Monterey -- what a fun drive!), I really have no complaints, except for the Sat Nav and MMI system which can be a bit clunky sometimes.

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  Love my Audi! - 2016 Audi A3
  By Talayna Marco - July 27 - 7:41 pm

  I absolutely love the way my new car hugs the road when I drive. It drives like a dream! The stereo is great too, I can hear it perfectly clear with the top down!

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  97 A4 2.8L Quattro-Automatic - 1997 Audi A4
  By MS-A4 - July 27 - 2:00 am

  Great car, very solid, even after 75K mi, going over RR crossings/potholes, barely hear anything. Fun car to drive, especially on wet with the Quattro. Beautiful exterior-IMHO, one of the best looking models Audi ever came out with. Repairs Req: Below average, minimum repairs needed as long as you provide enough TLC & good preventive maintenance. TIP: For parts use VW Passat, most parts exchangeable & cheaper. "Bad" Points: Extremely expensive maintenance & repairs, hard to find parts & shops to work on it other than Audi dealers. If you take good care of it though it will return the favor. Would definetly recommend as a good buy.

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  autobahn - 2003 Audi TT
  By schneller - July 27 - 2:00 am

  excellent car, drives great, looks good...must stay off intersate roads...to many pot holes...

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  Nice! - 2003 Audi TT
  By unascribed - July 27 - 2:00 am

  This car is very thoughtfully designed. I was comparing it with the Boxster, which I thought had an edge on the exterior styling but the TTs interior styling is nicer. Plus, I get a lot more car for less money -- rear glass window, retractable rear wind deflector. And I love the silver cover on the audio system. Its such a nice touch. The construction is very solid. You can tell when you close the doors and trunk. Its very solid.

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  Wonderful - 2003 Audi TT
  By DSO - July 25 - 2:00 am

  Thi has been a wonderful car. As a 6"3 guy, for a long distance car, not the greatet, but to have around town it is awsome. Love the way it handle, fun to drive. A very reliable car