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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  Im Very Happy - 2005 Audi A4
  By a0 - June 24 - 3:27 am

  This car has awesome handling and power. Im glad I didnt get the BMW. There is a very slight rattle in the sunroof, but otherwise very well put together.

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  A classy car, magnificent ride! - 2005 Audi A4
  By Ardeekay - June 23 - 11:00 pm

  An excellent, wonderfully well-made car.The interior finish is magnificent. The roadholding is superb, with a solid firm ride and and excellent directional stability. One feels as if traveling in a mobile fortress! The braking is outstanding and rear-view vision superb. The engine is powerful enough, though the upgrade to the new 2.0 litre FSI Turbo will give that extra punch at lower revs that one feels the need for at times. This is a car for those who need to travel long distances. It begs to be driven on freeways! Not that good for small suburban shopping trips, though! Thumbs up!

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  Performance With an Interior to Match! - 2001 Audi A6
  By miguel - June 23 - 3:16 pm

  I have put over 40,000 miles (85,000 total) on this car and have only done minor maintenance with one minor electrical problem ($250). Buying this car used is a steal since it came with a $46,000 sticker price. Find one that hasnt had problems and go and buy it!

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  Peppy - 2005 Audi A4
  By Mike Y - June 23 - 2:04 pm

  Nice car. Less expensive than the BMW 3, more refined than the Acura TL, and nicer features than both. I sold a 97 E320 Benz to get this car, and the 2.0T in the A4 is just as powerful as the Benz V6, and the Turbo is great. Never thought I would drive another 4 banger, but this one is nice! The design inside and out is a bit boring, but the fun to drive factor is high. I drove everything competitive, and this was the best value.

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  The new Luxury Benchmark!!! - 2004 Audi A8
  By Ej - June 23 - 12:27 am

  My A8 by far recalibrates the benchmark for sedans in this segment. It is the perfect blend of performance, class, beauty, character and understated elegance. The interior finish and little touches all over the cabin demonstrate the incredible attention to detail that BMW or Mercedes cant even begin to dream off. With Quattro, excellent handling, and completely effortless highway cruising, driving an A8 can only be described as a highly rewarding experience.

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  Everything has been fixed - 2005 Audi A4
  By Cactuslady - June 20 - 7:16 pm

  I had a terrific time with my very fun 2001 A4 1.8T FWD sedan. Thought I would hate to give it up, but this one is so good Ive gotten over my previous love quickly. Everything I disliked about the old model has been redesigned for the better and nothing has been made worse. Cupholders actually work. Cargo net actually works. No bottom "spoiler thing" under the front bumper to help the bumper rip off on those parking lot curbs (yes, I ripped the old one off). Turbo lag has been greatly reduced and power is there at lower tach. Cruise control is actually easy to use. Plus, lots more cool gadgets and handy storage spaces. No real complaints about anything so far.

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  2004 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro (manual) - 2004 Audi A4
  By jhopkins - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Only problem experienced has been a reoccuring one, involving the face plate on the driver instrumentation panel becoming loose, and it causes quite a distracting/distrubing noise. Taken in for repair twice, but seems to last only a few weeks before problem resurfaces. Otherwise, the car has been a pleasure, first-time owner but sure to be a loyal owner in the future...quattro performs amazingly well in icy conditions.

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  What a car - 2005 Audi A4
  By jsamans - June 20 - 12:21 am

  The Audi A4 3.2 quattro is simply a great car. Mucho power, amazing handling -- this car feels like a "baby" S4....with double the fuel economy. The 2.0T engine has gotten a lot of praise but the naturally aspirated 255HP 3.2 V6 is smoother, more refined, in all ways a better feeling engine than the 200HP 4 cylinder 2.0T. Test drive both and you will see what I am talking about. I drove the 2.0T first and liked it, then I drove the 3.2 and had to have it. The engine note is gorgeous when you get on it in gears 2-4, very exotic sounding. The new 6-speed tiptronic is head and shoulders above Audis previous 5-speed tips. In "S" mode this car really feels and acts quick.

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  Solid and fun but wont satisfy purists - 2001 Audi TT
  By Derek - June 19 - 7:36 pm

  Car feels incredibly solid and tank-like. This and other heavy hardware make for a heavy car. Handling is tight but understeers too much and doesnt transmit enough feel, same can be said for the steering and brakes. The engine is a mixed bag... truly fantastic midrange power from 2200-5500rpm, but gutless outside of that range when the turbo is not at full boost at low rpm and inefficient at high rpm, also MUCH less power in hot weather - not a true sports car engine really. Great gas mileage, 30mpg sometimes, averaging 25mpg. Interior is very nice, but no standard CD player and the seatbelts are very hard to reach. Overall a solid car thats fun to about 80% of its potential.

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  Awesome car! - 1999 Audi A4
  By Audioduke - June 19 - 10:00 am

  Audis are very popular in Seattle area but get no respect in LA area. So bought 99 1/2 with 40k miles and "2 yr Audi Assured" from dealer after hearing reliability probs. This is awesome car... More I drive more I like. I didnt care for BMW 3 series styling and came across too many rude people with attitude drying beamers. C class is not sporty enough for me so Audi with its good looks was the car for me.