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 - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Joel Mercado - April 12 - 2:10 am

  Just purchased a CPO recently. A truly wonderful car. Love the exterior and interior design. Real comfortable ride, kinda like driving a suped up Caddie. Feels like a bigger vehicle than it appears. Though heavier than most wagons, this gives me a safer feel. Performance has been very suprising so far. Instrumentation is a bit confusion though. Overall, great car.

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  fast four door - 2000 Audi S4
  By jay chaudry - April 12 - 2:00 am

  best four door sedan i ever own.better than m3 and amg benz.faster than porsche boxter and honda s2000.

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  Long Road to Nowhere... - 2000 Audi A6
  By MarbleTurtle - April 12 - 2:00 am

  After taking a job 82 miles from home, I thought about and drove everything over a month. I decided on a certified pre-owned A6 2.7 Sport over the BMW 5 & 7 and MB E & S class... more room than the mid size cars, more performance than the big cars... lower price. Price was a consideration because at 50k miles a year, Ill be running the wheels of this one. Reliability has been good. At almost 100k miles Ive had only 2 minor problems. After making it to work one day in 45 minutes on an emergency call (you do the math), my car has also earned a reputation around the office.

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  Fabulous Car! - 2002 Audi A4
  By FunGuy90814 - April 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive had a BMW and a Miata before buying my A4 Quattro w/Manual transmission. Ive had it a year now and have not had ONE problem! The build quality is superb, the car handles like a dream and theres more than enough power w/the 1.8 Turbo. This is a superb, well-engineered super-safe (got the addl airbags in backseat) car. Audi service is terrific. Were pleased as punch! :)

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  Second time around - 1999 Audi A4
  By Mrs. White - April 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car after a successful first run with a 1996 Quattro. This car has been great in Boston weather, and outperforms anything else I have driven in poor conditions. Its also been reliable, and a value for such luxury. Id buy another.

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  Possibly expected too much? - 2002 Audi A4
  By CanadianAznBoi - April 11 - 2:00 am

  The ride is sweet and the engine sound is like impeccable. I luv it except for a few things: 1. i would rather the tiptronic controls on the steering wheel be for audio instead. I think we all would change the track, volume, or station more often than when we use the tip. 2. Pwrseats should be standard on an entry-lux car like this. 3. The garage-door openers should still work even withOUT the key in the ignition. 4. The windshield washer tank had a crack in it and the car is barely 8 months old. These are just small quips, cuz this car still turns heads everytime im driving it and i can still keep up with most of the ppl in the street.

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  Streamlined Beauty - 2003 Audi A6
  By LB - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I hadnt considered an Audi, or even a wagon, until this one caught my eye in the showroom. After having test driven three or four other luxury brands, I got into the Audi and was sold without having to start the engine. The design of this car is flawless: refined, plush, intelligent, serene, and practical, and not at all flashy. Its a wolf in sheeps clothing too, especially when I engage the "sport" transmission. It holds the road like nothing Ive ever driven.

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  Streamlined Beauty - 2003 Audi A6
  By lb - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I hadnt considered an Audi, or even a wagon, until this one caught my eye in the showroom. After having test driven three or four other luxury brands, I got into the Audi and was sold without having to start the engine. The design of this car is flawless: refined, plush, intelligent, serene, and practical, and not at all flashy. Its a wolf in sheeps clothing too, especially when I engage the "sport" transmission. It holds the road like nothing Ive ever driven.

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  Pleasantly surprised - 1999 Audi A6
  By Not a car expert - April 9 - 2:00 am

  My wife really wanted this car -- I had favored a purchase of a Volvo. Now, we both enjoy the vehicle and find it incredibly comfortable, no hassle to maintain, and good to look at. It is true "German engineering" at its best in a reasonably priced package.

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  Excellent car - 1999 Audi A4
  By audivwnut - April 9 - 2:00 am

  So far this car is making my heart pound. It is quick, comfortable, well built, and very attractive to the eye. Every attention to detail has been made by Audi!