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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  Awesome drive - 2001 Audi S4
  By daemon - December 23 - 2:00 am

  An unpretentious, fabulous drive. A sports car that can still fit the family.

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  Naps Audi - 1995 Audi A6
  By pierski - December 22 - 2:00 am

  The 95 Audi A6 is a high quality vehicle, top notch materials on interior and exterior. The body and sheet metal are very solid (dont bend when pressed). Finish is very tough. Mine hasnt been waxed in 7 years and is still like new. The transmission chip was a problem at first, but we got one installed that is satisfactory. Seems to work better under hard driving.

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  My First Audi. Glad it was the 2018 S5 Prestige! - 2018 Audi S5
  By Gene Simpson - December 21 - 9:26 pm

  This car is absolutely incredible. It drives and handles like a dream. The technology can be a bit overwhelming at first but once you get used to how things work it is great. The controls and ergonomics of the cabin are almost perfect. Great quality materials in the buttons, high-quality diamond stitched Nappa leather and a sound system that is fantastic. Everything is arranged within the cabin with the driver as the focus of all controls and electronics. The virtual cockpit is incredible to use as is everything else. Engine response is superb with just a slight turbo lag in the low rpm range below 1300rpm. Once past that line, the acceleration is incredible. The handling is so balanced with acceleration and cornering that is way out of its class. I could go on and on about what a great car this is but all I can say is this was my first Audi S series, it will not be my last.

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  Great car - 1990 Audi 100
  By Justin Flynn - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car when it was 11 years old and owned it for over 2 years now, 145k miles, and it still doesnt need any major work and probably wont for another 100k miles. This cars reliability and durability is just amazing. Equally amazing is the acceleration and top speed that can be had from the dinky 130 hp engine. I consider the $4500 I paid for this car to be grand theft on my part. People always compliment the car when they see or ride in it. This will not be my first Audi.

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  Quality and Performance - 2003 Audi TT
  By Ostrander - December 20 - 2:00 am

  One of the best vehicles Ive owned..

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  Loving It!!!!!! - 2004 Audi A4
  By overworkin - December 19 - 2:00 am

  I just bought my 2004 A4 1.8T 6M, Brilliant black, w/prem., sport and lighting. Ive been reading and researching this vehilce for a few years and have finally made my move, couldnt be happier. I have loved this car for years and owning one has not changed my opinion. I could spend hours just staring at it. I beleive that Audi has come a long way with there reliability and look forward to having many years of pure bliss.

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  Performance, style, comfort and value - 2000 Audi A4
  By Marc v.1.8 - December 18 - 2:00 am

  The 1.8T is very responsive and eager to be worked hard. Although the 1.8T doesnt have stellar 0-60 times, full torque is available anywhere between 1800 and 5500 rpms. This makes the car far more powerful in real world situations than the 0-60 times suggest because the engine is virtually always producing full torque. Handling is very nimble and it holds the road with tenacious grip. Yet the ride comfort is as good as comfort-oriented cars that dont handle nearly as well as the A4. The quattro is truly amazing and I pass 4x4 SUVs with ease on snowy roads. The A4 is a true driver-oriented sport sedan at a bargain price.

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  A^ - Oh What a Life Saver - 2003 Audi A6
  By Ronald Behe - December 17 - 2:00 am

  Involved in a very serious accident w/ A6 other car lost control, skid into me. (T-bone). Both cars, 50-55 MPH, were "totaled." Two occupants in the other car killed instantly. Wife and I are sore and aching, but no serious injuries. . The A6 crushed exactly as it was desgined. The entire front was demolished with everthing in back of the firewall in as good as new condition. The front doors even open and closed as if there had not been the collision.

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  Just incredible - 2000 Audi A6
  By erroly - December 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this car ~2.5 years now and I love it just same as I did the first day I got it! This car is just incredible. I smile whenever it rains and/or snows! I handles like a train on rails. I passed on a BMW 540i to get this car I had an older Mercedes before.

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  Recommended - 2006 Audi A3
  By Tim - December 11 - 5:26 pm

  This car is a solid ride, nimble both in speed and in the turns. The steering is the smoothest I have ever driven. There is a slight pause in quick acceleration but the car is very fun to drive. The interior is comfortable and the features are readily accessible and intuitive. For me it is the perfect size, great performance and a great look. I have looked at several different cars over the past few years (before finally giving up the Honda) and there is no contest for this car in the under 30k market.