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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  None better!!! - 2001 Audi S4
  By DrewI - February 10 - 2:00 am

  I looked high and low (BMW330, MB320, Acura TL-S, Infiniti G35) for the ultimate sports sedan and the S4 was the only car I found without a weakness. The 6-speed makes drving fun again and the cars ability to blend just the right amounts of performance and comfort puts a smile on my face every time I get in. Its the first car Ive owned where I look for excuses to take the long way home.

• 

  Great Car - 1993 Audi 90
  By GermanCarPhreak - February 9 - 2:00 am

  I was upgrading from a 114 hp car, and let me say that this 5 speed, 172 hp machine is incredible. My father owns a 2000 Mercedes C280 which isnt nearly as much fun to drive. Inside its quite and it handles like a Porsche. Its a beautiful car.

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  This is a Great Automobile - 2000 Audi A8
  By Filmpros - February 9 - 2:00 am

  In the past 4 years I have owned the Mercedes S Class, Merceded AMG E-55, Lexus GS, BMW 7 Series, and a Toyota Land Cruiser (which I still own and is by far the best 4 wheel drive truck on the planet). This Audi impresses me when compared to the other vehicles I have owned. The performance, handling, and build quality are all excellent. I even like the understated design.

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  Great car for the price - 1999 Audi A4
  By Steve D73 - February 9 - 2:00 am

  There are a few minor things that could be done to make this car the best small sedan on the road. It is unbeatable for the price. I love the A4 and havent seen any car that is a better value. The cars interior looks and feels like cars of twice the price, it is excellent other than the rear seat room.

• 

  excellent - 2003 Audi A6
  By Francisco Park - February 9 - 2:00 am

  Car is really smooth and powerfull. Love the four wheel drive and performance of the A6. Interior is really well designed and comfortable. I love it!!

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  Switched to Audi from BMW - 2017 Audi Q7
  By Kevin Powers - February 8 - 12:53 pm

  My wife and I have owned primarily BMW products for the last 25 years until my wife leased a VW Tiguan three years ago. I drove it from time to time and was impressed so when it was time to replace a 2012 X5 I looked at the redesigned Q7. The ride, handling, and performance is as good or better than the X5 and the fit and finish is far superior. It has a little more room inside while not seeming to be larger on the outside. The ride is a little less harsh and more quiet than the X5. Handling install responsive and the turning radius is excellent. It is a joy to drive. It is also easier to fit multiple sets of golf clubs horizontally in the cargo area. I have had the car for about a month and so far no problems. Everything works well. The 2017 redesign is a great improvement over the previous model. Cant say enough good things about this vehicle.

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  find bellow - 2003 Audi A8
  By adolpho maidantchik - February 7 - 2:00 am

  The only problem I have is concerned to the maintenance in Rio de Janeiro. As A8 is a very sofisticated vehicle completely computorized, unffortunately our dealers and the Sena Representative have not engineers with knowledge to take care of it

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  Style is everything - 2003 Audi TT
  By fofoshack - February 7 - 2:00 am

  The best designed car I have ever seen.

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  A4 Quattro - 2001 Audi A4
  By The Colonel - February 7 - 2:00 am

  Extremely capable car. Even with very little tread on summer tires I had very little trouble negotiating a 2 inch snow/ice drive to work recently. Excellent gas mileage for a performance car. Drive train makes even a fat footed driver seem like a pro.

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  WOW - 2003 Audi A6
  By Lgeorge - February 7 - 2:00 am

  I looked at quite a few mid-level lux cars and this had them all beat. I dont live where the additional cost of quattro is necessary, so I chose the 3.0 CVT. This is almost as smoothe as my electric car I had to give back to the mfg. I love it!