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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  Excellent in the snow - 2005 Audi S4
  By eric in wyoming - April 2 - 2:48 am

  I purchased my new S4 in November, and with the original performance Dunlop tires, nearly totaled it with the first snowstorm. New 18 inch Pirelli Snowsports (even though they recommended 17 inches with new rims of course) completely solved the problem with minimal compromise in ride and handling quality. I cross shopped an M3 and CTS-V, but living in the snowbelt, the quattro was the clincher. Forget the gas guzzler tax and definetely go for the manual transmission. The dealership even let slip that theyll pay for a new clutch under the scheduled warranty if you accidentally burn the original one out.

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  Hot Black Audi A6 4.2 - 2005 Audi A6
  By John - April 1 - 11:11 pm

  This car is awesome. Its got great get up and go, all the extras are nice. The Voice Recognition system takes a little getting use to, and for some reason does not understand women well. The Bluetooth phone system in is great - make sure you have a phone compatible with the system. My Motorola V600 works real well with it - its great! Pulls up all the numbers on your SIM card, recently dialed numbers, missed calls too. The Tiptronic transmission is a lot of fun to use as a 6 speed. If you can get into this car do it!

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  Fun to Drive - 2005 Audi TT
  By Kenzie Cook - April 1 - 6:59 pm

  This car is just so much fun to drive and there is not that many on the road so it is unique as well.

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  Rocket Ship - 2004 Audi A6
  By kennorlander - April 1 - 6:31 pm

  I owned a A4 with the 1.8T and quattro, and it was absolutely gutless. I liked Audis build quality though, and decided to get another, just with more power, and I am throughly impressed! It accelerates so effortlessly, and is almost as fast as my fathers 2005 Mercedes SL500! I would highly recommend this car.

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  Good car - 2000 Audi A6
  By ghostrider - April 1 - 6:16 pm

  This is a good balanced car. It doesnt have any major flaws. It is very comfortable, as agile as mid-size can be. It might not look impressive but for day-to-day driving its just great.The repairs can be costly though.

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  Amazing Ride - When its not in the shop - 2000 Audi TT
  By aerobab - April 1 - 4:22 pm

  Wow...truley an impressive car! World-class styling (inside and out), great performance, a real head turner! I use this car for my every day vehicle and loathe the days when I cant drive it! Its a shame that Ill be getting rid of it soon, as I am unable to afford the monthly (sometimes bi-monthly) maintenance on it. Relatively simple repairs to unnecessary luxury features (i.e., headlight washers) should not cost $500!! I have only had repair work on these little nuisances...never anything major. The Certified Pre-Owned "warranty" offered by Audi is a load of garbage. The TT really is an awesome (initially affordable) toy to have...as long as you have deep pockets for repair!

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  2000 AUDI - 2000 Audi A6
  By Gary Foster - March 31 - 5:43 pm

  Great interior and very good driving car for enthusiast that does not care about rear-wheel drive. Very good gas mileage 18-20 City. 25 Highway. Excellent tarction in all weather conditions. In terms of reliability, it has aways started and has had a few too many trips to the service bay for an odd list of small issues ranging from a broken cup holder to a defective gas tank (recalled twice). Still looks great and has held up in tough urban driving. Ride is still very consistent and Quattro is excellent AWD system. It has never failed me.

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  My Third Childhood... - 2016 Audi A7
  By jerry forberg - March 30 - 10:53 pm

  I traded a 2013 Lexus ES350 for the A7. The Lexus was the best car Ive ever owned, comfort-wise, overall performance, etc.. But the ES is a smooth sedan, without much punch. The Audi, in comparison, is that redhead in high school you wished youd asked to the prom, just to see what might happen after the prom! It is fun, and that sums it up. Its over priced; for the money one can choose from an array of fine rides, BMW, Mercedes, maybe a Jag, any of which could get your blood flowing. But this a vehicle you wont see too many of on the street. It truly stands out with great styling. Ive had no less than four strangers tell me what a fine looking auto the A7 is. Audi is famous for beautiful interiors and this car has one. The interfaces, voice or touch, are superior to the Lexus, in my opinion, very nice for a non-techie such as myself. The media interface alone is marvelous. At first I wasnt sure about the feature where the engine shuts off at red lights (on or off, your choice), but have come to appreciate the option, especially since premium fuel is strongly recommended, the main negative thus far. The restart is nearly seamless and I expect well see this in many more cars in the future. Overall, this is the most fun, best driving vehicle I have ever owned.

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  good car so far - 2005 Audi S4
  By Rade - March 30 - 9:21 pm

  only one problem as the diagnostics computer had to be replaced after continious check engine light malfunctions. Totally solid in the rain and any other driving condition. She loves to drink, but i suppose one should be able to afford the fuel if they can afford the car.

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  BMW AND MB SIMPLY DONT GET IT! - 2005 Audi A8
  By Dubstar - March 30 - 8:44 pm

  Simply put, the best money can buy at any price. I have owned 2 7s and 1 S and now Two 8s....by far, the best vehicles out there!