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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  The best girl car out there - 2005 Audi A4
  By amanda - May 18 - 1:23 pm

  i just received my first car and after test driving, literally, 15 cars, this was the only car i wanted. its compact, fast, fuel efficient, it is awd and great in the snow, and most of all it is adorable. i would not have picked any other car. this is a great car for someone my age and i am so happy for it. Thanks Mom

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  FUN - 2001 Audi A8
  By Ed_las vegas - May 18 - 2:00 am

  I took this car for test drive and had to have it. That 310 HP V8 is just awesome - powerful, smooth and very quiet. I cruise at 90-100 mph and can barely hear the engine running.

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  Nice Ride. - 1998 Audi A4
  By XXXpress - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Firm suspension. Great 4 wheel compact luxury car.

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  Awesome Audi A6 - 2004 Audi A6
  By nick mazari - May 17 - 2:00 am

  i love this car for its design, looks and comfortable and quiet ride. I like the audi image of luxury without pretentiousness. the only thing that should change is that audi dealers should be required to strictly sell only audis not other cars.

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  fine Machine - 2016 Audi A8
  By DINO - May 15 - 10:39 am

  Vehicle rode very well - Has unbelievable performance w/4.0L V-8 - Absolutely NO evidence of bear-tracking no matter hard I pushed it. Road noise via tires was a bit more than the S550 & the dash was nice but not as plush or expensive looking - Actually the whole car, exterior & exterior was not as expensive looking as a S550 but very clean & soft lines. Trunk room is awful small for a L luxury car & roof is somewhat low for a vehicle in this class. In spite of a few cons as listed here, this is a very, very nice vehicle & I will likely purchase one if I can get the right deal. According to the dealer, repair can be an expensive & long ordeal due to the amount aluminum used in the body & frame.

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  Joy to Drive - 2004 Audi S4
  By doccybr - May 15 - 2:00 am

  This car puts a smile on my face everytime I get behind the wheel. It is not only fun to drive with its all- wheel drive "quattro" system, but also has the performance matching its handling. The tiptronic transmission is wonderful with smooth shifts, and if you want to shift manually, the paddle shifters are great behind the steering wheel. The engine has a wonderful sound and I love to drive the car without the stereo on just to listen to it. It looks great both inside and out. This is what Porsche would have built, if you could buy a sedan from them.

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  A4 Avant - The Anti-SUV - 2002 Audi A4
  By JimBob - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Aside from having defective Spark Modules which required two separate service visits (one with only 63 miles on the car) and a failed Transmission Control Module, this car has been 100% reliable and an absolute joy to own and drive. I cant understand why there arent more of them on the road, its a great Anti-SUV! With my snow tires on in winter I run circles around any of them and get WAY better gas mileage, too. The car is also perfect for long trips, just eats up the miles in comfort and returns 25MPG at 75MPH! Again, no SUV can touch that.

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  My 1.8T Quattro - 2003 Audi A4
  By GForce - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Great looking exterior. Interior is fine, but 3 series is slightly more luxurious. Love interior lights. Feels like cockpit of a jet fighter. Handles great. Poor lowend torque. Leather feels cheap. Bose stereo isnt anything spectacular. Love spacious interior compared to 3series. Lots of leg room. Center console is a bit wide, knee keeps rubbing against the side and really hurts. Driver seat uncomfortable. Average Audi service. Dont always take care of the issue and loaner policy blows. I spend 30k and when its serviced, I have to drive around in a Ford Escort?!

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  Great Car - 2004 Audi S4
  By kristopher9012 - May 13 - 2:00 am

  Never had any problems with it It is really great and for the cars size it is great on gas

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  Best Drive - 2004 Audi S4
  By gvanpelt - May 13 - 2:00 am

  I have owned several Audis including two high end wagons, a 200 Wagon and a 95 S6 Wagon, both very strong performing cars especially on the highway, but this car is at whole other level. Although the other two wagons were turbos the 340 HP V8 in the S4 is far quicker in any gear at any speed, there is never any turbo lag, step on it and it moves. The S4 is a great highway drive, but it is also has a sporter feel that my older larger Audis. Far and away the best car I have ever owned. I may buy a second.