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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  This car beats E-Class and 525,530(BMW) - 2005 Audi A6
  By Dean - June 9 - 8:54 pm

  Interior is best of any car in this class Ive seen. Beautiful and classy use of real wood, leather and aluminum. Love the Quattro All-Wheel Drive in dry or wet conditions. Pickup speed could be a little better (I think its rated at 6.8 seconds 0-60). Dual exaust gives a nice sound under heavy acceleration. 10 way seats are very comfortable. Push button start/stop option is a great convenience. Love the styling... especially the bold new grille on front. It separates it from any other brand on the road. LEDs are used on tail section for turn signals and rear lights. The paint finish is the best Ive seen on a car at ANY price level.

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  Greater Than Following - 2005 Audi A4
  By Bogart05 - June 8 - 10:50 pm

  I bought my A4 after test driving the BMW 3 series and Lexus IS. Of the three of them, I settled on the Audi because it had better handling than the Lexus and better styling than the BMW. I have never regretted it. Although its a gas hog (its thirsty), it is a total blast to drive. The acceleration is smooth and quick for a 4 cyl. and it hugs every single curve on the road. Im not thrilled with the red lit interior, but it feels more luxurious than the BMW by far. I havent had anything go wrong with it in the 4 months I have owned it (and driven it HEAVILY). Bottom line is that its a great car all around - not just for the price.

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  Low quality performer - 2002 Audi S4
  By TDF - June 8 - 3:19 pm

  I couldnt be happier with the stock performance of this car. The price to performance and features ratio of this car cant be beat, and simple upgrades can make this car truly track ready. In the Northeast or snowy climes, no car on the road can touch it (B6 S4 and RS 6 aside). But quality, reliability, and dealer service is absolutely brutal. Electrical system problems are Audis specialty, but I have also had problems with everything from rattles to rivets popping to coolant pumps failing to leather spalling to ... Service quality and knowledge from dealers is poor (e.g. Audi service does not feel its necessary to rotate tires).

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  Wifes Ride - 2005 Audi A4
  By jrh332 - June 7 - 9:40 am

  Just bought the Audi 5 days ago so we just have a couple hundred miles experience with it. We bought it to replace a 2002 Cadillac Escalade so this is a major change. This will be my wifes car but I will also drive it when I can get it away from her. This Avant is a turbo 4 6 speed manual. 25+ mpg so far even around town. Xenon lighting is fantastic. Car was loaded with AM/FM CD changer Sirius satellite radio, 17" wheel sports suspention, headlight washers, cold weather package, premium interior. Great handling along with excellent fit and finish sold us on this vehical. Hope we made the right desision.

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  Sad state of affairs - 1999 Audi A8
  By Audi Owner - June 6 - 11:34 pm

  These cars are really nice cars, however this particular model (mabye not the newer ones) has depreciated GREATLY over the years and has a ton of mechanical problems that are out of warranty and not cheap to fix. BEWARE of having to fix this car, it will NOT be cheap. That being said, it is a great car to drive and looks and handles very well.

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  TT is a GREAT car - 2005 Audi TT
  By Jim Suss - June 6 - 4:39 pm

  Im 6 6", 245lbs., when a friend suggested I try a TT, I couldnt believe I could fit in it! I had a Cadillac Seville STS, and the TT has the same amount of legroom. The handling is incredible, and its no slouch when it comes to performance. I have beaten my share of Porsche Boxster Ss. I have gone through a set of tires. Ive taken the car on the track at Talledega, and it is a joy to drive. I have not had any mechanical or body problems with the car.

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  2017 Audi Prestige W/Air suspension review - 2017 Audi Q7
  By Scott Mount - June 6 - 6:32 am

  Absolutely love the car. Ive only had it since October 9th, but it has a great feeling of quality and solidity. The interior is well made and of high quality components. Seats are good, but I would expect sears that have upper seat back movement like in BMWs comfort seats. Without that the headrest seems too high or too low. Coming from a 2015 BMW X5, I am left missing the transmission calibration of the BMW, even though they have the same trans. Its quick to upshift and makes me have to kick down when I think I shouldnt. Also, because Audi doesnt make enough of the Q7s, they are in demand and the dealers use that to their benefit. (Pretty much plan on no incentives and no discount on price) Overall Im very happy with my purchase, and would do it again.

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  Fun car to crank miles on... - 2003 Audi A4
  By robde - June 6 - 2:00 am

  I love my dolphin grey A4. I work for succesful software company and deal with stock millionaires and their BMWs. My Audi turns lots of heads in the parking lot...and when I drive it. Car could use some more horsepower, better gas mileage, but I dont want to lose any of the craftsmanship of the interior. The tiptronic is a blast. I rgularly throw my quattro into left, right hand turns at high speeds and it glides on rails. This car drives great in the rain...snow...sun. So far the dealership has treated me like a king and has done all the maintenance without a hitch. Bring it in, pick it up...pay $ZERO.

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  Exceeded my expecations. - 2005 Audi TT
  By drwho304 - June 5 - 10:39 am

  This Audi TT has exceeded my expectations in all aspects. It is fun and easy to drive, I was not looking for a super high performance Porsche 911. The quality of the interior work is flawless, fantastic leather seating along with really innovative styling. In my opinion it is designed in a true roadster style, it is not meant for a family vehicle. There is enough room for my wife and I to each pack a bag and go away for the weekend. I started to use the TT as my daily commute, not my original intent, it was just to be a weekend fun car. I have Ocean Blue with the Vanilla interior, what a great combination. It also has heated seats, CD changer, homelink and xenon headlights.

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  Great car -- when you modify it - 2000 Audi A4
  By ACE - June 4 - 8:35 pm

  Yes, out of the box, this car is a little underpowered. But if you drop in a performance chip and cat-back exhaust the car is very different. I also upgraded the brakes and shocks after the OEM stuff wore out. Ive had fewer problems than most with this car -- Ill admit Im lucky. But I do a lot of preventative maintenance. If you want a car you drive and neglect, get a Toyota or Honda. If you want a car with character, states individuality and is fun to drive, the Audi is it. Only real problem thus far: radio died, but it was replaced under warranty. It took amost 3 months, but it gave me time to listen to the new cat-back exhaust I had just purchased.