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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  Fun ride - 2001 Audi S4
  By cochranm - May 8 - 2:00 am

  This is the fastest car Ive driven. Not only is this car fast, but it corners on a dime. Id be willing to bet you could take almost any car on a wet road around corners. I knew this was a nice car, but had no idea of the craftmenship until I started driving. Like most people, I wanted a safe, reliable, fast, good mileage AWD vehicle. This was my number one choice after driving the X-Type and 330XI. The price was cheaper and Ill be honest it out performed its competition.

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  Pearl 1999 A8Q - 1999 Audi A8
  By MAZ - May 6 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car with 2600 miles on it from Audi. Great cruiser, handles pretty well for a 4k lb car, German comfort/build quality and quattro cannot be beat. Burled walnut everywhere. The Bose stereo is only OK - thats the only gripe I really have as far as features. A+ seats - big, firm and adjustable.

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  Best 4 door under $50K - 2002 Audi S4
  By SPEEDY_SAM - May 6 - 2:00 am

  Superlative engine - has loads of torque. Can pretty much out-drag 99% of cars on US roads. Enables you to short- shift your way without any problems. Secure handling. Have taken it out to snowy climes without any slipping even with summer tires! Small size of car and narrow width pays dividends when tackling mountain roads. Able to position the car in the corners pretty well. Once kept a Dodge Viper GTS honest on Highway 1. I gained on him on the brakes and through the corners. He gained on the straights. If there was a bit of rain there would be no contest! Has nice distinguished looks - doesnt look boy-racerish. Its looks would be distinctive 5 years from now.

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  Great Audi - 2002 Audi S4
  By alan ross - May 4 - 2:00 am

  It goes very fast, feels very solid and all the while is very smooth. I received an A4 loaner and rode it all day..nice car but when I got my S4 back I realized what the 8K upcharge buys..all of the above. I will buy the next generation if they keep the computerized suspension to a minimum and hopefully they will put this CAR on a diet.

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  Best Decision We Ever Made - 2006 Audi A3
  By Jennifer - May 4 - 1:06 am

  This is a fabulous car! Worth every penny that we spent on it. Our model has the 2.0t with the DSG transmission. It is extremely fun to drive whether its around town or on the highway, and it has ample room for adult passengers in the back seat! We really didnt want to buy a fuller sized wagon, but this car is a big car in small shoes. Plenty of room, plenty of versatility... with the handling of a sports car. If you are in the market for a car of this type, consider the Audi A3. It wont disappoint you!

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  Awesome Allroad - 2005 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By selcor - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Consistent mileage over 24 on the road at 70 MPH+. Mix of 92 octane and 87 octane seems to work great. No noticeable turbo lag in sportmode. Tremendous handling in all conditions, great comfort for 6 footers. So far have only 4000 miles on it. No problems to date and all maintenance included for 4 years or 50000 miles.

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  The best handling wagon - 2002 Audi S6
  By Joaquin - May 1 - 2:00 am

  From the very first day these marvel has really make me be happy driving allday , if you don´t believe please just go to a dealer and test it , then you will understand.

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  Easy Car To Like - 2002 Audi A6
  By Dave Kovacs - May 1 - 2:00 am

  After purchasing a 2002 allroad in December I quickly became a strong admirer of the great interior and good engine performance of the 2.7T. My previous Audis had quattro so I already knew the advantage of that drive sytem. The A6 2.7T is a fine automobile with very pleasant performance characteristics, handsome interior materials and an overall package that is purposeful and sophisticated.

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  one gorgeous "steel midget" - 2002 Audi TT
  By satrianegara - May 1 - 2:00 am

  Got stuck on the "FORM", but missed out the whole "performance" on this car. :( It took me a whole year til finally could live with the turbolag issue. But its legendary quattro system sure is undeniably awesome, and I just fall head over heels with the handling of this "lil David" ("in the Goliaths world", of course !).

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  A4 3.0 Quattro - 2003 Audi A4
  By lcardozo - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive. Responsive controls. Quiet on the road. Terrific brakes. A car meant to be driven.