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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  Super car - 2006 Audi A4
  By GREAT CAR - October 30 - 2:00 am

  I really love this car. If you read these peoples reviews with their broken down audis, you must understand if you dont take care of your car it will break especially used ones. I get 23 mpg very very low maintenance on the car I couldnt be happier.

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  Love this Car - 2005 Audi A6
  By tpurchal - October 29 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my A6 for 5.5 years and still enjoy it every time I get behind the wheel. Handles great and fun to drive. The overall quality of the car is very nice. My biggest complaint is the low profile tires. I have spent close to $5,000 on tires since I owned the car. They are good for about 25k miles and the pinch easily. I will admit Most of the issues were caused by me (first time owner of low profiles). I love the way the car handles but not sure my next car will include low profiles.

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  2003 A6 3.0 AWD - 2003 Audi A6
  By DAG - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This car has been a great car. All that has been done to this car is the breaks, water pump, oil changes, and timing belt. The interior is still silent despite the dirt roads and snow that this car as to travel everyday. With the right tires this car would climb a tree, in the snow, if you wanted it to and where I live it almost has to on a daily bases.

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  Solid little car - 1999 Audi A4
  By b5 obsessor - October 24 - 2:00 am

  So after my Saab 9000 died, I got my little Audi, and I have been loving itt since. Ive put a couple of thousand miles on it, and I love it. Quattro has actually saved my life, and the car is definitely one of the most solid feeling cars that Ive ever been in. I love how this car has attracted a cult of modders, if I ever need anything, I just go on the forums and do the diy, the 1.8t is vital, and the automatic just kills the whole experience because turbo+manual+quattro= some slightly illegal amazingness.

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  So Far, So great - 2010 Audi Q5
  By Toledosfinest - October 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Q5Premium Plus this month after going back and forth with the car dealer trying to get a better deal with the 2011s out. I was finally able to get the vehicle at almost $4000 off the sticker. I have only driven 1200 miles, but so far I love the vehicle. On a weekend trip, I got between 26-27 MPG which I feel is excellent. I suggest that you wax the 19" wheels with a good wax. The brake dust will still show up, but it will wash off much easier. Overall I will rate this vehicle a 10. I will write again in about 6 months.

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  Loving the Prestige Package - 2011 Audi A5
  By Johnny - October 20 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven this car over 900 miles in three days, and its great. I have gotten hundreds of compliments on it and enjoy driving it. The gears are very close together, the system recommends that the car be in sixth gear at 50 mph. Not a lot of compartment storage in the front for miscellaneous items. I ordered the light gray interior from the factory, but it looks beige. I should have gone with black.

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  Awesome, fun to drive Audi! - 2011 Audi Q5
  By fun-to-drive! - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Soccer Mom looking for more fun while getting close to "mid-life crisis!" Got the fun back! Wow, love the power and handling and feel of this drive. With hardly any inventory around, had to take the offered package 2.0T premium plus and love it. Sporty, luxury, cant-take-my-eyes-off-of-it beauty! Tight space inside but the sacrifice is worth it. Not getting the mileage yet that I was hoping for and premium gas pricey but still worth it! Hope the Audi "quality" holds up over the years. A little concerned about a big hiccup feeling when slowing down towards stop sign (outcome of drive-by-wire?). Interested to know what that is and why and is the car okay? Overall, very pleased with Q5

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  High tech goodies in a great ride - 2011 Audi A4
  By Ray W - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven the 2011 A4 for 4,000 km now in a variety of weather and road conditions. Top marks so far for the very peppy turbo 2L engine, the solid but not harsh ride, quiet interior, roomy trunk, confident handling from twisty roads and sharp corners, and an entertainment system that is a match to any desktop computer. Medium marks to the odd LED daytime running lights that wink out when a turn signal is on, the turbo lag off the line, a slightly choppy 8 speed auto transmission that isnt as silky as it should be, and back seats that arent quite roomy enough for the legs of taller adults. Room for improvement on head space for the driver.

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  Amazing Automobile - 2001 Audi S8
  By Pigman - October 17 - 2:00 am

  This German car is for drivers people who love to drive. Of any car I have ever owned this is the one I would pick if I had to drive across the country. It reminds me of an NFL linebacker, big, swift, powerful and nimble all at the same time. I originally purchased it with 92000 miles. It now has 140000 and all I have replaced is tires, idler pulley and serpentine belt and fuel pump. I use 0W40 synthetic oil in it. My wife is now driving it and has fallen in love. She says that it spoils you as you start rating all cars against it, which is unfair. Only 531 imported into us in 2001-2003. It is a German muscle machine made for drivers. DOT governed at 155 mph. (too bad)

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  Wow! - 2011 Audi Q5
  By SFSUVLover - October 17 - 2:00 am

  It was time to replace our Grand Cherokee & had pretty much settled on the new Caddy SRX. Then, we actually drove one and left the lot horribly disappointed. But the Audi Q5 Prestige? Wow! This car has power, even on the worst San Francisco hills, handles like a Porsche, but rides beautifully, and is so crammed with features that you cant list them all. Its been a "head turner" too. The feel of well engineered quality is there everywhere you look. We are elated over this car which seems to perform well above its competitors and doesnt have the "run-of-the-mill" feel that most of them have. Highly recommended.