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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  Great car for the price! - 2003 Audi A4
  By vllyboy - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Good combination - great price.

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  The perfect car - 2002 Audi S4
  By Sigep112 - April 25 - 2:00 am

  This car is a blast to drive! Great interior quality. I purchased used (w/ 10,000 miles) and have not had any reliability issues to date. Very few S4s on the road, so its great driving a unique car. I have no complaints so far (except for the poor gas mileage), and would HIGHLY recommend to anyone interested in a used B5 S4.

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  All I want is a headrush... - 2004 Audi TT
  By vividrigor - April 25 - 2:00 am

  The TT is a fun, sporty and very stylish city car, which is what I bought it for. It is easy to manipulate through traffic and speedy enough to get you through tough spots on the freeways. If you are single, this is the perfect little car. Tons of fun to drive and to look at people always love it.

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  ok - 2003 Audi A6
  By dmrose - April 25 - 2:00 am

  traded a 528 for an a6cvt 2003cvt a6 better: price, acceleration, radio, trunk and rear seat room, value 2000 528 better: brakes, steering, ride stability, wind noise If it wasnt for that damn audi transmission (Hesitation and banging) it would be better. Otherwise pick the features you like best

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  Beware of the Audi Certified Used Car - 1999 Audi A4
  By IMissMyBeetle! - April 24 - 2:00 am

  I purchsed the Audi Avant as a replacement for my VW New Beetle. At the time, I felt comfortable purchasing a pre-owned car because the dealership had reconditioned it, and it was covered under the Audi Assured Warranty. After about 6 months, the Certification was worth the paper it was written on. The car has had numberous problems, not to mention it was sold to me with body damage. Audi needs to do better, I wouldnt recommend the Audi Assured program to anyone.

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  long term audi 100cs - 1994 Audi 100
  By Hubyone - April 23 - 2:00 am

  The best used car i ever had. Got the car at 96000KM in 1998 and now 220000Km 2004, maitenance is not cheap, but reliabylity excelent, A real all weather car whit flawless stability. Paid $20K(cdn) in 1998 Total maitenance cost $7.2K including fresh paint, twin catalistic converter. Very satifed until now and will be looking for another 4 to 5 years old audi soon.

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  A good alternative to an SUV - 2001 Audi S4
  By APB_S4 - April 23 - 2:00 am

  I own an 4-Runner and a 00 Boxster, but I need another car (Since Boxsters lease is ending shortly, and my mother wants to use the 4-Runner, plus, I am getting marry soon.) I pick the S4 because: 1) Fast, with a Chipped ECU it can get you over 300 hp and 350 tq/ft 2) 4WD, no need to worry about weather 3) Rich in features: comes with Bose stereo system, heated and 8-way power seat, glass sun roof, all dim mirrors, roof bike rack, ESP, etc. 4) Space is about the same compare to BMW and a bit better then IS300 in terms of cabin and rear trunk space. Compares with 325i Wagon or IS300 Wagon, I think this is a better buy ($$ vs features, comfort and power).

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  Great fun w/some drawbacks - 1998 Audi A4
  By AFT - April 23 - 2:00 am

  I love driving this car - whether its just to the store or on a 300 mile vacation. This is my first AWD and I now swear by it for the best traction and overall feeling of safety. However the problems with the engine and catalytic convertor, combined with the cost of maintenance, sour the experience. After three years of ownership, Ive replaced the cat three times. The engine work is another nightmare altogether - suffice to say it cost me nearly $5k. I still love the car in spite of all that.

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  Looks Great, Drives even better! - 2004 Audi A6
  By DJPalland - April 23 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Audi A6, my first one was a 96 Avant, the 2nd one a 00 Sedan, I missed the cargospace, so i bought the 04 Avant. Drives great, handling is good. I think the looks are better than the BMW 5 series touring.

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  Best car I ever owned - 2007 Audi A4
  By audi - April 22 - 3:33 pm

  Does everything well. I enjoy driving this car. Gets great gas mileage, no turbo lag, amazing handling.