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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  In Love - 2005 Audi TT
  By B - September 13 - 4:19 am

  I would never consider myself a car fanatic but I couldn´t help but to fall in love with the sleek, sexy, TT. I just bought one and I drive it to make long commutes along the California highways. I honestly smile every time I see it. Driving it is a real pleasure. I am so crazy about it to the point that my husband jokingly asked me just not to start praying to it! :D

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  Bad Mechanical - 1999 Audi A4
  By Kim - September 12 - 11:33 pm

  Fun to drive, if its not in the shop! Have had new engine, too. Lots of mechanical problems.

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  Great fun fast and slow - 2001 Audi A4
  By pdholz - September 12 - 4:57 pm

  Fun to drive, fast or slow. Great highway car for two, cramped for four. Superb handling, with minimal understeer at limit (with sport suspension). Excellent fuel mileage if you keep your foot out of the turbo (26-27 consistently, 30 on highway). Great interior design, plenty of room in front for large folks (Im 63"), though small back seats. Make SURE you use synthetic oil, or change oil frequently. Ive had this car since new, so these arent first impressions.

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  So sweeet! - 1999 Audi A4
  By Dukes of Hazard - September 12 - 10:00 am

  Sweet ride. Handles great, a blast to drive. Suggest getting some bolt-ons for that lag between the turbo (before 2800rpm. Hot interior, Great engine. I fell in love the second I drove one.

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  LOVE my A6 - 2006 Audi A6
  By J G - September 11 - 12:54 am

  After being in american made vehicles for over a decade, I am in love with my A6. My wifes car is grossly under her leased mileage, but I still find myself taking my new A6 everywhere we go. I drive a lot for work, and I am actually in better moods at work and after work due to the fun driving experience of the A6. I recommend this car to anyone looking for a mid-size sedan.

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  2006 Moro Blue A3 sport/dsg - 2006 Audi A3
  By acorin88 - September 10 - 10:16 pm

  Purchased this car after having a great ownership experience with a 2000 VW Jetta 1.8T. The A3 exceeds the Jetta in every respect, driving dynamics, fuel economy, road noise, safety, and ergonomics. I love the exterior styling - it seems aggressive and refined at the same time to me. The interior is also wonderful, with the added aluminum (including alloy dsg paddles) and contrasting stiching on the sport seats being nice touches. Only gripes after 5 days with the car are visibility behind the driver is a little constrained and I wish the sport package came with power front seats, though the manual seats in the A3 are great improvements from my jetta. This car is blast to drive!

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  Amazing machine - 2005 Audi A4
  By Audi4life - September 9 - 6:46 pm

  I purchased my Audi A4 2.0T fully loaded back in June of 2005, the car is stunning, the engine, even though it is the base engine, is beautiful to drive in sport mode, the interior materials are the best I have seen compared to friends who have BMWs and Mercedes C classes, gas is a bit costly if you drive fast and long trips like i do but well worth it, the sound system is also the best within the other german sedans, this car is definitely worth its price.

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  Great Car! - 1996 Audi A4
  By Julio - September 8 - 10:43 pm

  Im telling you the Audi A4 Quattro has won me over all the cars i have ever driven in my life. I had a Mustang V6 and its no comparation to the Audi A4 Quattro. I bought my Audi with 124,000 miles and its unbelivable how good it feels with all those miles, when i first test drove the car i though it had much less. Let me tell you I believe that if you purchase an Audi A4 with alot of miles but with alot of repairs done you better off. The car looks great and runs great. The Quattro system is really nice in the rain and in any road condition. I really believe that its price is worth for this car!!! GREAT CAR!!!!

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  A Dramatic Improvement - 2006 Audi A4
  By ktaorm - September 8 - 7:40 pm

  This is my fourth Audi. I had a A4 Avant with the 2.8 V6, a A6 with the 2.8 and the A6 2.7T. The 2006 A4 2.0T is the best so far. I ordered it in Red with Tan interior with the Sport Package, Technology Package (Bluetooth Phone connection), Navigation, Bose Stereo (with XM Sat) and Xenon lights. The new 2.0T makes the V6 an uneccessary option. It has tremendous torque with little if any spool up and the 6 speed Tiptronic is flawless and fun to drive either fully auto or in manual mode. Great engine sound and terrific gas milage. I have been getting 22-24 around town and 30 MPG on the open road. The brakes are excellent with solid stopping power.

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  My 3rd Audi and still satisfying - 2005 Audi A6
  By CK - September 8 - 4:10 pm

  This is my 3rd Audi A6 - 1999, 2003 and now 2005. What a car! Simply gorgeous to look at, both from inside and outside. MMI is a great feature. Ive compared with BMWs I-drive (what a joke!) and its simply beyond comparison. Other owners have noted the hesitation on 1st & 2nd gears and I have notice that as well. I wonder why Audi decided to part with CVT. Simply best exterior and interior design, great sound system and absolute joy to drive on winding roads. Looking forward to more Audis in the future.