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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  Probably the best 3 row SUV - 2017 Audi Q7
  By JD - April 17 - 5:46 am

  My wife and I drove every minivan and 3 row crossover. Rather than going into the pros and cons of every one, I will just say we chose the Q7 because of its tremendous balance between ride and handling, its superior quietness and solid feeling, and combined comfort of the first and second rows. We also suspect that the Audi will be more reliable than the Volvo XC90 (although the Volvo is somewhat less expensive, has superior interior design and has a more comfortable first and third row). While the Q7 cost more money than we needed to spend, I believe it is worth every dollar. So do many others. In my area, every Q7 was spoken for. I purchased mine from a dealer 200 miles away,

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  Ouch - 2005 Audi A6
  By Edward - April 16 - 7:07 pm

  This vehicle is a technical marvel. The only thing I am disapointed with is the harsh ride on roads with expansion joints. You can feel and hear the car hitting each one very hard. An adjustable suspension like the S class would make this A6 near perfect.

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  Elegant, yet pugnacious - 2005 Audi S4
  By Graham - April 14 - 9:28 pm

  A beautiful car that can blow a 645 off the line. Okay, maybe it cant beat an M3 off the line but in my opinion its better looking, you get AWD, it has an automatic for traffic and pedals when you want to shift manually, a much sweeter exhaust sound...not to menton a much better ride. My 911 has sat in the garage since I bought the S4.The only bummer is the gas mileage.

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  A8L - L is for LUXURY - 2005 Audi A8
  By Dennis - April 14 - 8:22 pm

  The back seat also know as the "living room" has ROOM to really spread out. Most passengers are asleep within the forat 10 minutes of a drive. The lay out of the interior copmpartment is very refined- the suede headliner finishes it off in grand style. The handling far surpasses my 2002 A6 4.2, most likely due to the adaptive suspension.

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  TT Has Been a Super Car - 2001 Audi TT
  By S Stangl - April 14 - 1:14 pm

  I have had my TT since 2001, and still love to drive it. The styling still gets nods of approval from people in the street, the styling really is unique. Overall I have been happy with the car, it does have a few interior squeaks here and there, and some minor electrical issues occurred, but its a very solid car.

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  Sweet Convertible Cruiser - 1997 Audi Cabriolet
  By Sicario - April 11 - 2:27 pm

  Bought this one owner Audi Cabriolet 2 years ago, drive it only in the summer (top has never been up ). A real head turner, and always draws comments when parked. V6 not powerful, no electric seats, no tilt steering, but fun as all hell to drive, no problems to date.

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  Great car! 225 hp prob. better choice - 2001 Audi TT
  By 01 roadster covt 1.8 - April 9 - 2:47 pm

  I love my Audi TT drives smooth, you only have to have maintenance every 10k miles There is one problem that upsets me about the car, it seems there is something loose on the driver side. When you hit lets say a pot hole or something or even just cruising its like a creaking sound very annoying. Overall excellent car, its a head turner, Especially with the top down, its quick and reliable. Oh I wish there was an in-dash cd (would make life a little easier.) Other than that LOVE IT!!!!

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  Not without problems - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By WW - April 9 - 1:16 pm

  Extra wide fenders over tires make manevering a challenge; fun to drive, but MANY issues with engine and transmission. Additionally, tire wear much higher than average and fuel well below rating. All in all not sure I would buy another Audi. Not sure there is a significant advantage to an all-road over an A6 AWD.

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  Surprised - 2005 Audi A6
  By Joseph Ramieri - April 9 - 1:15 pm

  Ive considered an Audi in the past but the introduction of the 335 hp V8 sold me. The car is very civil yet quick and responsive. The premium sound system is great

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  BMW 745 to Audi A8L - 2005 Audi A8
  By Anthony Celona - April 9 - 1:14 pm

  After owing Acura, Lexus, and most recently, a 2003 BMW 745I (Retail value UGLY) I purchased my 2005 Audi A8L. Ive gone from the BMW I Drive (which I actually liked) to Audi M Drive which is somewhat easier to use. The GPS package is considerable better than the BMW but slightly poorer than the Lexus with its touch screen. The A8L has all of the power and zip that the BMW but is noticeably missing the constant mechanical and computer problems I became accustomed to in the BMW. The engine and transmission are flawless, smooth and quiet and the overall integrity of the interior, body fit and trim are excellent. I highly recommend this vehicle. Before you buy another Luxury car test drive this.