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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  This car drives better than a Mercedes - 2004 Audi A4
  By Jim Theckston - February 18 - 2:00 am

  This car is incredable... It even drives much better than it looks. Performance, Comfort, Design and Fuel economy are big with me. Cant wait till I buy the A8!

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  AMAZING AUDI - 2004 Audi A4
  By ANDREW - February 18 - 2:00 am

  THE IMPROVEMENTS OVER MY 99 1.8T QUATTRO ARE A SUPRISE BUT GREATLY APPRECIATED. THE HANDLING WHEN PUSHED IS MORE ACCURATE AND RESPONSIVE. POWER AND ACCELERATION IS NOW AT THE MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE LEVLEL. THIS IS PARTIALY DUE TO A NEW SIX SPEED SMOOTH AS BUTTER MANUAL TRANSMISSION. BREAKING IS TRUE, STEADY AND ALMOST WATERPROOF EVEN THROUGH MAJOR FLOODING. CONVENIENCE DETAILS SUCH AS THE MINI VISOR BEHIND THE REAR VIEW MIRROR,DASH UTILITY/CHANGE TRAY AND STORAGE BOXES UNDER THE FRONT SEATS ARE GREAT IMPROVEMENTS. THIS CAR IS MADE FOR FORMER BMW FOLKS WHO DO NOT CARE ABOUT BADGING.

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  The perfect car - 2004 Audi A4
  By Robin Ebgst - February 18 - 2:00 am

  This car handles like no car I have driven. Audi seems to have put the perfect suspension with the perfect weight and wheel base in the A4. Add the quatro system, that makes any other all wheel drive technology seem prehistoric, and you have one mean handling machine, whatever the road conditions. The design of the car is beautiful. The interior is sleek and stylish. Driver comfort is the perfect balance between a larger sedan and a sport coup. Sitting in the car and driving it is like putting on a soft leather glove.

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  love it! - 2004 Audi A4
  By SmartAshAudi - February 18 - 2:00 am

  I love my Audi. I have had it since April, and outside of a little glich in the engine at first, I have not had a single problem with it. The power is great and the design of both the interior and exterior is a great selling feature.

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  A Really Fine Car - 2004 Audi A4
  By frankv - February 18 - 2:00 am

  This is a fine car. I have the 3.0 engine and that gives it a real jump. The car handles well, especially in bad weather. This is my third A-4 since 1996 and I think it is really the best. MY wife uses it more than I do and I feel very comfortable with her driving it from a safety perspective. The 2003 model is the most comfortable of the 3 A-4s that I have owned. I think that with the larger engine, it does not get the greatest mileage, but that is a tradeoff. I highly recommend it.

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  Ken in Norway - 2004 Audi A4
  By KenK - February 18 - 2:00 am

  This is my third Audi. I am a US Air Force officer stationed in Norway. Speed limits are very low here and the roads are small and twisty. This car wants to run, but it cant...however, the twists and hills make for some fun driving. Ive driven my other Audis on the Autobahn, in DC and Idaho, all with outstanding results, I expect no less from this one. Good looking car, fun to drive.

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  Audios - 2004 Audi A4
  By Lita Kolb - February 18 - 2:00 am

  My company/family owns two Audios at present.Both of these are a repeat from owning Audios before. Good looking, safe ( quattro is a must) and perform beautifully. Wish gas mileage were better but it is OK.

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  Solid, great all-around car! - 2001 Audi TT
  By Cardude - February 17 - 5:36 pm

  Pros: Power 2200-5800 rpm, tight handling, killer brakes, gorgeous style, solid feel, safe, AWD, flashing brights back at people who think HIDs are high-beams. Cons: Less balanced than a Boxster, loses power 6000+ rpm, limited visibility, rain water on rear window, no CD player standard in a $38000 car, cupholder placement (all these are niggles). MountainScott, the car is a single turbo NOT a twin-turbo. TT does not stand for twin turbo. "Go in knowing what youre getting," as you say.

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  Sedan that Drives like a Sports Car - 2003 Audi A6
  By dman - February 17 - 11:40 am

  The A6 is fun to drive. I will sometimes take the "long way home" just to drive this car more. Completely happy with the car and all of the features inside and out.

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  Not worth the money - 2016 Audi A4
  By Joe - February 17 - 2:54 am

  My car is an A4 Quattro premium S-Line. It stickered just shy of the $50k mark. If I wasnt able to get a smoking deal on it I would have never bought it. Sure, its pretty. Sure, people go "ooohhh, you have an Audi" but honestly, this car is nowhere near worth the price of entry. For $15k less you can get a fully loaded Passat with the 1.8t which is all anyone really needs. You will wind up with a much bigger, more comfortable car. With darn near the same build quality, and it will have everything a modern car should have. For example...Bluetooth streaming audio. The Audi doesnt have it until you pony up for the premium plus package. Which pushes you over that 50k mark. Another place the A4 falls woefully short is the back seat. If you have kids in booster seats, get ready to wrestle with seatbelts because the seat area is so narrow your booster WILL block the buckle. And we have the Diono Cambria which is a fairly narrow booster. Still blocks the buckle. Also, if anyone riding up front is over 6 tall, you will render that back seat virtually useless. My 4 year old complains about being squished behind me, Im 63". We dont have the problem in our far less expensive, much more equipped Passat. Basically, if you are of average or lower stature, the A4 might be ok for you, as long as youre ok with paying a boatload of money for a car that has some seriously glaring omissions in the options department. If you want a well built German car that has everything in it and wont break the bank, go to VW and save some money.