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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  Test Drivw at your own risk! - 2004 Audi TT
  By rcbonn - November 24 - 12:51 am

  The best vehicle that I have ever been in? No. The best vehicle that I have ever owned or driven? Absolutely!! More fun than I could have believed. After my wife and I test drove a tt 225 coupe we agreed that this was the car that we had to have. It is everything that I had hoped for. Responsive, fast, nimble, very comfortable and also very cool. Our tt turns heads and puts smiles on the faces of everyone who rides in it or who dares to drive it. Do not test drive this car unless you are ready to purchase one. From the crisp Bose sound system to the heated seats this car is luxury and sport come together with just the right blend. All wheel drive, 100+ MPH & city streets at 27 MPG!

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  Just a lot of fun to drive - 2003 Audi A4
  By j.perquin - November 23 - 12:16 pm

  I have had this car for a little over a year now. I drive it every day 40 miles into work and back. I t fits like a glove (and I am 64"), handles like a charm and the 4WD is a life saver. Be careful though on an open stretch of highway: before you know it youre going way too fast... As if this is not enough, I also like the free 4 year service plan.

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  Wow!!! Best car I drove & get the 6speed - 2006 Audi A4
  By Howarddakim - November 20 - 7:10 am

  I test drove a mustang, 350z, impreza, g35 coupe, etc and bought this amazing A4. I found myself doing 80mph in 3rd gear on the street and shocked on how it jumped (in acceleration). Wow!!! As a gear head at heart I worked on many muscle cars (and subsequently drove them) but again WOW! Of all the options the A4 offers you have to get the S-line package. Its a total aggressive look, 18 inch tires, and sports suspension. Just one drive and you know where that extra dollars were well spent. When buying a car I look at beauty, comfort, speed and most a fun factor. Something I missed with my last vehicle. I have 4 fun factors again now in my drive & its fantastic

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  Best Choice - 2006 Audi A4
  By Matt - November 19 - 2:10 pm

  Drove all the others in the category (BMW,Mercedes, Acura). Although not the best in every category, the A4 is by far the most fun to drive. Adding the S-line and the 6M transmission make this car a pure pleasure. The tiptronic is best in class, but the 6M is for people who like to drive. My first Audi, but not my last. I cant imagine how they will improve on this car.

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  Fix the electrics! - 1999 Audi A6
  By jamccann - November 17 - 3:01 pm

  My 1999 Audi A6 Sedan is fun to drive, but is slow off the line unless you use the tiptronic shifter in first gear and stomp on it. The ride is soft for hard driving but very comfortable. The power options crap out and nit pick you too death. Basically I like the car though.

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  Never Again - 2000 Audi A6
  By Hunter S - November 17 - 12:04 am

  My 2000 Audi A6 2.7T Sedan was probably a candidate for a "lemon law" return. I have NEVER had so many problems with a vehicle and when I finally got rid of it I got clobbered on the resale value. Im back in a BMW and couldnt be happier!

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  Best High Performance All Weather Car - 2005 Audi S4
  By LJG - November 15 - 7:57 pm

  Upgraded from 00 S4 to 04 S4 and the car is absolutely awesome. Just when I thought they couldnt improve an already incredible car, they did! Power and handling are incredible. The V8 sounds phenomenal. Recaros are superb. With snow tires, the S4 is just as awesome in the winter with snow! There really is no comparison for the entire package. STi is a very different beast and the M3 is only a part time fun car in the snow belt. Add to the fact that you can get this car in sedan, wagon, or convertible and you can pick your perfect car to drive all-year round.

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  Sporty and responsive, but UNRELIABLE - 2003 Audi A6
  By Racer_X - November 15 - 6:01 pm

  My final 2 test drives in 2002 came down to a choice between the BMW 530i and the Audi A6 2.7T. As most buyers who will read this review are already aware, every option on a new BMW is "a la carte", and the price tag really starts to add up as you add options to support its claim of being a "luxury performance sedan". Because a similarly configured Audi was about $5,000 less and had very comparable performance, I went with the A6. I now rue the day I made that compromise. Although the driving performance has lived up to expectations, the Audis reliability has NOT. After 6 trips to the shop (including 2 recalls) in only 24 months of my 39 month lease, I wish I had gone with the BMW.

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  Great Car Bad Company - 2004 Audi A8
  By GRepchickw - November 15 - 11:09 am

  A great car which deserves a company to stand behind it. The car spent a total of two months in for service, with the last one being 45 dyas in a row. The car has computer and transmission problems which Audi will not stand behind. It was a bad experience. the transmission slips and progressively gets worse.

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  Sleeper wagon - 2005 Audi S4
  By kevfitz3 - November 14 - 1:18 pm

  This is my second S4 (also have a 2000 six speed S4 sedan) and what an improvement in overall body rigidity and solid feel. The V8 sounds seriously potent and it is. The torque is instantaneous and neck-snapping. A joy to drive fast or just cruising. Not your normal station wagon!