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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  A6 3.2 is Very Impressive - 2005 Audi A6
  By dplush - June 3 - 6:30 pm

  This car has been a joy to drive. Have the black with amaretto interior. The power may not be class leading but it is more than enough. Cabin is very quiet and engine is nice a throaty. Drives like a true luxury german sedan. MMI is not that difficult to use, you get used to it really quick.

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  2005 Audi TT, Loving it! - 2005 Audi TT
  By Sandie - June 2 - 7:49 pm

  This car is pure pleasure. It handles wonderfully, has many fun features, and can handle Southern California freeways as well as mountain roads with comfort and ease. I have had it less than a month and we are having a hard time controlling ourselves to limit driving it! The Audi warranty is 4YR/50,000 miles bumper to bumper and I want to use it to its maximum advantage. Its hard letting it sit in the garage cuz this car is made to be driven!

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  audi A4 convert. - 2005 Audi A4
  By mblumfps - June 2 - 12:56 pm

  The car exceeds expectations. Not as hot as the quattro or S4 by any means, it is still very peppy. Rides more solidly than any other comparable convertible (BMW, Saab, Volvo) I tried. Fun, fun, fun

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  not impressed, it looks like a tall station-wagon - 2017 Audi Q7
  By TMR - June 2 - 12:46 am

  Overall its a nice car, Drivers seat is comfortable, so as second row, however the third row is more like a jump seat for 5-8 year old. AUDI is happy to a nonce about shaving over 350 pounds, well it comes with crappy third row NO leg room, and NO head room !? Theres no other option then run flat tires!? which ONLY available with one of THE WORSE in the market GoodYear tires, so youll be luck to get 18K miles on it! Road noise and handling, again - crappy GoodYear tires, no improvement on gas mileage, DO NOT be fool of that streaker 19/25 mpg, youre still getting about 16/22 mpg, and about 19 mpg in the suburbs, again it could be the GoodYears run-flats which are terrible, a specialty in the ice or snow conditions, do your self a favor and stay home.

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  OMG! The 2017 Audi Q7 Is it a dream ? - 2017 Audi Q7
  By Sally Rasmussen - June 1 - 8:23 pm

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  Will never drive ANYTHING but an Audi... - 2005 Audi A4
  By Kylie - June 1 - 11:36 am

  I have driven many different cars and I will never again own or drive anything but an Audi. From the excellent service to the amount of pure fun it is to drive, Audi is by far in a class all its own. Lookout BMW and MB!!!!

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  The best car in the world - for me! - 2002 Audi A4
  By Ivan081 - June 1 - 2:00 am

  Unbelievable car. I drove my fathers for about a month and fell in love - I had to own one of my own. I use to look back after nice cars and think to myself - when am I going to get something like that. Since I got the A4 - a freakin Ferrari can go by me - I am perfectly content - couldnt give a damn.

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  Great convertible cruiser... - 2003 Audi A4
  By pablo_lie - June 1 - 2:00 am

  The Audi offers the best cabin by a mile - its interior quality is the best in this company. The only let-down was the persistent creaky noise that came from the convertible top in my test drive car, which had about 3k miles on it. But thats something bound to happen with all convertibles sooner or later, and usually can be fixed with a little WD40. Dynamically, the Audi seems surprisingly sluggish at times. A look at the cars weight figure gives a hint as to why that might be the case. On the other hand, that weight results in a very planted, very good ride. Its the least crashy in this company.

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  NICE - 2003 Audi A4
  By vincentaudi1313 - June 1 - 2:00 am

  sweet ride, great interior. Quattro really does make a difference. BUY ONE!

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  Its an ok car - 2003 Audi A4
  By jgold95 - June 1 - 2:00 am

  I have had the audi for 1 year and i am counting down the months till the lease is over. The Cvt tranny jerks the car on acceleration. Its been in the shop for dumb problems. It goes fast but customer service at dealers is terrible. This is why i got rid of my wifes VW and when this lease is done i will go back to the BMW. If you cant decide between this and a 3 series, spend the extra few thousand for the BMW you will be happier. Dont get me wrong its comfortable, it performs well and gets great gas mileage for a v6 and it looks nice inside and out its just comming from a BMW and going to this is a vast change in a backward direction.