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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  Great Car - 2006 Audi A6
  By George O - August 16 - 5:14 pm

  I have owned my A6 for 9 months. Great car, handles beautifully even in snow. Fun car to drive and a beautiful design and excellent workmanship. No mechanical problems. I will buy my wife a new A4 based on my experiences with the A6.

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  Audi A6 Review - 2006 Audi A6
  By Dennis Galinsky - August 16 - 12:30 pm

  The nicest ride I have experienced.

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  rocketship - 2006 Audi S4
  By chuck williams - August 16 - 10:59 am

  I have owned a lot of vehicle and would have to say that my s4 is by far the best I have ever owned. the accerlation is mind boggling. The car handles at high speed better than my old m3. The sound of the motor is music to anyones ears. especially over 5k on the tach.

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  Just add snow... - 2000 Audi TT
  By TypeA - August 15 - 6:54 pm

  I traded in my BMW 740, so this was a huge change. This has been a great car overall. The 180 hp is much too slow, so I had to add a chip and the MTM performance package. Still too slow. I never appreciate my car more than when it snows, the TT Quattro is amazing in the snow and cold temperatures. You cant buy a German car and complain of the cost for repairs, it comes with the territory and although its pricey you get what you pay for. Really wish I had gotten the 225hp!

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  What was I thinking ? - 2001 Audi A6
  By Joe - August 15 - 6:13 pm

  The first 4 months were great, then the problems started ... weird problems, you open the sun roof and the air conditioning would stop working, turn the headlights on and the wind sheild wippers turn on, accelerate on the highway, ABS lights come on, brakes are applied and you couldnt go over 20 miles / hour/ And the worst thing is, the dealer doesnt know how to fix it. Im gonna trade it in.

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  Great Value for Money - 2006 Audi A8
  By KW - August 14 - 11:00 pm

  Having had enough of my Merc S55 which I was trading in a part at a time, I took a gamble on the Audi. The minute I sat in it I knew it was a classy car. I have done 15000 miles and aside from a few minor gripes (replaced power lift on trunk) it has performed wonderfully. Powerful, quiet and somewhat exclusive - you dont see many on the road. If you are in the 7- series, S-Class market, this will beat them hands down for the money. The relatively easy to use MMI is pretty intuitive and doesnt take long before you can navigate around all the features you need to with ease. The thing that amazes me the most is the roominess of the car. The rear is HUGE and appears bigger than my S class.

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  Wonder when the other shoe will drop - 2000 Audi A4
  By BarbaraK - August 14 - 9:31 pm

  I have had my Audi 2000 A4 1.8T AWD for five years now and find that anything I have to pay for is expensive. I have a good dealership, but the labor cost is amazing. What wears out most for me are the brake pads, every 11,000 miles, and the engine light has gone on at least once a year for vacumn hoses on the engine. I am very good about oil changes every 5,000 miles and take it in for any maintenance due. It is a wonderful driving car, and when I go on the turnpike I get great mileage, going much too fast. I am torn between loving my car and hating it whenever I go to the dealership for repairs. I would not buy a used Audi.

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  Great! - 2004 Audi A4
  By audilover2 - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Wow! This car is great! Great perfomance, great handling.

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  First impressions - 2007 Audi A4
  By Bill - August 12 - 8:30 am

  I purchased the new 2007 A4 on 9/3/6. The manual transmission really allows you to drive this car and as a V4 it gets over 30 miles to the gallon. Driving it (a long way) home in the pouring rain wasnt an issue as the 4WD and the quattro system really helps with handling. Very comfortable interior, top end stereo and tight gear shift make this a fun family car. Take the kids to practice or give it a spin on the country roads with the wife on a Sunday afternoon: both can be fun in this solid family sedan -- the 2007 A4.

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  heavy passenger door - 2016 Audi Q5
  By Hai - August 12 - 8:18 am

  Audi Q5 is a wonderful SUV overall, except the doors are causing problem for us. The doors are very heavy, and tend to swing close by themselves. My wife hurt her finger when putting staff in the car and the door was unexpected closing so fast by itself! Watch for the doors, they are dangerous!