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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  Take care of it, and it will take care of you! - 2005 Audi A4
  By sail112 - June 10 - 6:58 am

  This is a great car! 167000 miles and still going strong. Regular maintenace, tires, oil changes etc. Best car ever....

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  Love the A6... - 2012 Audi A6
  By edmundk3 - June 9 - 10:24 pm

  I just purchased my 2012 A6 Certified used. Drove all day from Southern California to Phoenix, AZ to get it. During the last 10 years Ive gone through 7 different cars from BMW to Land Rover.... & by far this is the best car Ive ever owned.... I traded my 2011 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI for the Audi. I drove the BMW 535 & Lexus... but when I drove the A6 I didnt want to drive anything else, it was almost like the car picked me.... I own a custom vehicle wrap shop & will be wrapping the A6 in a two tone matte black & matte dark grey. I had the headliner & pillars done in Black Suede...

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  Almost in love.... - 2008 Audi A6
  By dwmmlm - June 6 - 7:19 pm

  The car is a beautiful style and handsome even 4 years after its birth. Interior is top notch and I even prefer it to the 2012 loaner A6 I am driving this week. Fuel economy is outstanding and the car just glides at 90mph. However, the CVT transmission is quirky and I would opt for the Quattro next time around. Car is sluggish off the mark and much of that is around the CVT. I had it in twice this year for rough idle and jerky driving when cold. Also, Audi refuses to update their software in a timely manner for the Media Center and is behind the curve of technology despite what the commercials tell you. Remote doesnt roll down windows and no streaming music from your phone to Bluetooth.

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  My last car was a BMW X5, Audi rules! - 2012 Audi Q5
  By rosiegirl - June 5 - 3:46 pm

  I think my title says it all! My last car was a top of the line X5 , with everything on it. I paid cash for it brand new. I owned it for 7 years....problems, little niggly ones, all the time. Trim that didnt fit, rattles, BMW issues! I loved driving that car though. My Q5...leased it as I was wary about buying...everything has been perfect since day one. The fit and finish are perfect, driving its wonderful and the dealer is 100% hassle free.Including the free car washes!

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  stay away! - 2002 Audi A4
  By ellagirl - June 3 - 12:34 pm

  this car was bought from my family brand new then passed down to me. i have had nothing but probs in this 3.0 v6 quattro. it had turned into a money pit. the coils, cats, timing belt, power steering pump, all this money and still not fixed completely. moon roof wont stay open or close without playing around with it. starter is starting to go. rpms rev when idling. overall very dissapointed in this car. done with audi/vw!

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  The Audi A4 V6 3.0 Are Made for Speed Period - 2002 Audi A4
  By 1sikaudi - June 2 - 2:32 pm

  This car is a serious driving machine. It is not meant to be garaged or driven on Sundays to church. Much worse driven leisurely. This car is a monster and I did nothing to the engine. The only thing I added was a K & N filter to replace the factory one which in effect added another 15 hp simply because of the additional air coming in. From the moment you turn the car on you can hear the engine which to me was like music to my ears. I drove this car to the limit and had more than enough fun doing it. If I had to put it in 6th gear I was over a 100MPH easily. The highway drive was phenomenal. Man what a car. I bought it with 30k and trade it at 102k. Perfect in every sense of the word.

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  Brilliant Car - 2012 Audi A6
  By ani02 - June 2 - 1:15 am

  Got the 3.0T prestige with Innovation, cold and 20 inch sport package and B&O sound This car is a beauty both to look and to drive. Test drove the Jaguar XF, BMW 535 xi The Jag drove well and looked great but it dint match the technology available in Audi the other draw back was lack of a 4 wheel drive...the Audi quattro is unreal it gives you that added reassurance of stability. The BMW 535xi just dint feel right to drive not like the old BMW , the AUdi just kills the BMW both in looks and drive quality. this is a fast car with great handling, build quality and technology and to top it good milage getting 27 on freeway and 18 in stop and go

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  Too many problems - 2010 Audi A6
  By mprage - May 29 - 1:51 pm

  I love driving this car but sadly have had too many problems. 1) had to replace 4 tires after hitting small potholes for flat/sidewall bubbles. Really detracts from driving enjoyment if constantly worrying about the tires. 2) total of 4 services for coolant pump, 3 engine related repairs - broken fan, loose lines, and rear view mirror falling off.

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  Good but room for improvement... - 2012 Audi Q5
  By realpicky - May 16 - 5:21 pm

  This is a very nice car/cross over. Fun ride but you can feel all road blemishes. It handles extremely well. Very responsive steering. It has surprising acceleration. Excellent headlights. Not a wimpy looking cross over so as a guy, you wont be embarrassed. The Multi Media System... well lets just say they blew it (see below). My wife cant figure it out so she sticks with FM stations.

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  love my car - 2010 Audi A5
  By avinashn - May 15 - 5:24 am

  Owner of a used Audi A5 3.2l quattro. It is so much fun to drive. Cannot explain the rush you feel while driving this well oiled precise machine. So many head turns and ooooo and Ahhhhhh when they see this car. Audi quality is number 1.