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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  Its a German car, not a Lexus - 2004 Audi A4
  By ejad74 - December 28 - 3:49 pm

  Can out handle any Jap car. If you love to drive this is a great car. Audi is the car of the future. Audi is not about trendy its about the passion of driving. The style blows away BMW. Fit and finish is untouchable. Dont get me wrong Lexus makes a great car for my grandfather or G-Money man.... I just want to drive...

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  Best Buy! - 2005 Audi S4
  By Michael - December 28 - 2:41 am

  What a great car? Between this S4, the Mercedes C55 AMG, and BMW M3, the S4 is clearly the best. It goes 0-60 in just over 5 seconds, but the best feature is by far its stellar handling. The Quattro delivers perfection around every turn: there is NO NEED to brake! The interior is also very stylish and quite comfortable, while the exterior maintains the look of a sporty vehicle. Everything is very ergonical (easy to use) from the radio to the tiptronic transmission (which is VERY smooth). The trunk is quite large for its class and can easily hold several golf bags or pieces of luggage. I love everything about this car from the most minute detail to the 340 HP V8 beast under the hood! A++++++!

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  Speed and looks... - 2005 Audi S4
  By 2005S4 - December 28 - 2:36 am

  Awesome car, very fast, great handling.

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  Affordable Luxury - 1998 Audi A6
  By Mark D - December 27 - 1:30 pm

  I purchased my 1998 Audi A6 pre-owned with 85,000 miles on it. I read lots of reviews before purchasing and was concerned with reliability issues. However, after a test drive I fell in love with the A6 and bought it anyway. Now a year and 28,000 miles later Im still very pleased with the car.

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  Its a head-turner - 2005 Audi A4
  By Peter Fischer - December 27 - 12:23 am

  We like our 2004 Audi A4 3.0 Cabriolet very much. Space is definitly not her strength; but we knew that when we got it. This cars engine performance is excellent. The interior quality is very good. It is a little on the pricy side; but we also knew that.

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  German cars are expensive but in my experience reliable if cared for properly as with any car - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By content4evr - December 26 - 3:56 am

  Ive owned my 2004 Audi Allroad 2.7T V6 automatic for 7 years. Still enjoy getting myself behind the wheel each morning. Given the fact Ive pampered the vehicle in a garage for all this time and brought it in for routine maintenance religiously using nothing but synthetic oils, this vehicle has returned the favor by giving me reliable service and performance for 135k and counting. When the time comes to swtich to a new car I have no idea what Im going to do. This car is the perfect blend of German performance, design, luxury, all-weather ruggedness, space and utilitarian conveniences. Cant think of another vehicle in todays market that blend these qualities as well as the Allroad!

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  NYTimes A8L Opinion - 2004 Audi A8
  By LTomN - December 25 - 1:10 am

  This is an awsome car from every aspect. The engine is fearsome, the exterior wonderful and the interior handsome beyond compare. The ride is akin to going down the road in your living room with total feel of the road. The only drawback is the police that find your control outside of their interpretation of the law. The controls are all so easy to understand and use I cant conceive of preferring the complicated BMW or Mercedes. In a nutshell it is fantastic!

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  The Allroad is no Wagen - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By chipdaly - December 24 - 10:00 am

  I use to drive an A4 and then had my eye on the TT. I had one problem. I couldnt fit the kids in the TT. The next best thing was the Audi Allroad. My kids fell in love with it in the show room. Now when I go on trips we take the Allroad and leave the Windstar at home. Its too much fun to drive, so why leave it at home.

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  audi = german for lemon - 2001 Audi A4
  By smokymtnA4 - December 24 - 10:00 am

  Although this car is loads of fun, it spends more time at the shop than on the road. The first 25k miles went great, but since then: (1) faulty drive chain tensioner (could have bent valves and destroyed engine if i hadnt noticed it), (2) front main oil seal leak (at 26k miles absurd), (3)turn signal switch failed, and (4) oxygen sensor failed (car shut down on the road. If i had been on the interstate instead of secondary road i could have been rear ended by semi.) All covered by warranty, but you can bet Ill dump this car as soon as warranty ends. This car is like marrying a supermodel that hates sex. Looks great but doesnt perform.

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  Ricks Review - 2002 Audi A4
  By Kerrrichard - December 24 - 10:00 am

  This is my second A4. In two years Ill most likely be on my third...