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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  Complete Package - 2009 Audi Q5
  By forum24 - June 24 - 6:49 pm

  I dont know what is happening with the people who are claiming to have such catastrophic problems with their Q5s. I myself and two other acquaintances all bought Q5s last spring or summer. Between the 3 cars, none of us have experienced a single problem with any of them, and I have put 16,000 miles on in the first year alone. I had leased several LexusÂ’s prior, and was reluctant to change brands specifically because I was worried about reliability: I did, and have never been happier. This car is gorgeous, comfortable and has more features than I could get in the Lexus for a comparable price- and as of now, the Audi is more reliable!

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  Great car - 2007 Audi A4
  By jman - June 24 - 8:57 am

  Great quality. You can feel it the moment you get in and start the car. After test driving Acura and Benz and Volvo and Lexus they all feel cheap and flimsy in comparison to the Audi. Just a great well thought out and very very well built car.

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  Sleek, solid, & quick! - 2010 Audi A5
  By joiseyboy - June 24 - 7:50 am

  Ive had my A5 for about a month now, and I really like it. Its a very solid & quiet car (much more so than the BMW 3), and plenty quick. With the turbo 4, I do not miss having a 6 cyl at all, and I am averaging in the high 20s mostly around town. This car is gorgeous inside and out. It looks like a car costing 30 Gs more. The B&O stereo upgrade is well worth it if you are a music lover. Its the best car stereo I have ever had and MUCH better than the Bose units in Infiniti or M- B. I do not find the MMI interface to be too difficult. Yes, it has a few extra steps, but all in all the sound is so good, that I will make the extra effort. High speed stability is amazing. Love it!

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  Well worth the investment - 2002 Audi A6
  By Lanessar - June 23 - 1:18 pm

  A superb luxury vehicle, even years later, which provides a nice, smooth ride. Fun factor is very high in this vehicle. With quattro, Florida downpours dont slow your vehicle down a bit - only the other drivers do. This cars handling and brakes have already prevented a rather horrible high-speed accident when a 2-ton truck decided to go from 80-20 about 12 feet in front of me.

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  Design flaw - 2010 Audi Q5
  By maverick - June 23 - 9:29 am

  During snow or rain, when the rear hatch is opened, to gain access to the rear compartment, water, snow, dirt and salt build up in the drain channel and then run into the rear compartment. Ive seen the mess run over the rubber seal. The dealer said they cannot do anything but maybe Audi will contact me and see if the problem can be solved. To date, no additional contact.

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  Best SUV I have Owned - 2010 Audi Q5
  By Jason - June 23 - 9:06 am

  I LOVE my new Audi Q5. Its Comfortable, handles great and is so easy to drive. No problems since I purchased. Service Department is Awesome. I will Definitely purchase another Audi for wifes next vehicle. Thank you AUDI Great Job.

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  Best crossover - 2010 Audi Q5
  By dej - June 13 - 2:55 pm

  Replaced my 2009 Murano. This crossover rides so much better. More responsive steering. Handling around curves much better. Quieter on the highway. Less obstructed rearward view. Interior much finer albeit a tad bit smaller. The Audi doesnt quite match the cargo space of the Murano, but I dont miss it. I do wish the gas mileage was a little better, but this is after all a crossover not a car.

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  Premium Plus w/MMI - 2010 Audi A4
  By Tony K. - June 12 - 9:48 pm

  I purchased a 2010 A4, Premium Plus with FrontTrak after testing driving many cars including BMW 328i, Mercedes C300, Lexus I250, Infiniti G37 and Lincoln MKz. All cars I test drove were very good but the Audi A4 was the best in my opinion. Audi A4 was the perfect blend of a beautiful exterior, high quality sports sedan with peppy engine performance with exceptional handing and a large, well appointed interior cabin with leg room. The last part was very important to me. I am 6’2” tall so I did not want to feel cramped inside the car. The A4 has more room than a BMW 328/MB 300/Lexus I250. The A4 is also a very good looking car. I receive many complements on its exterior and interior looks.

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  3.0 Quatro A4 Cabriolet - 2005 Audi A4
  By Proservice - June 12 - 6:54 pm

  I do enjoy this car since I first got it. The interior designed was great and so its interior: wooden dash, leather seats quality worth every pennies. There were few problems after 10k miles of driving like the cable to the trunk cover for convertible top, rear light bulb. The other major issues was the ignition coils that went bad, check engine light on. The dealership had it replaced no costs. The car has 30k miles and still running like new without any other issues. Overall, this car is the best so far since my past cars: Benz, Acura, Lexus. Plus, its convertible top and silver color made it stand out. I couldnt came up with any reason to get rid of it other than high payments.

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  Amazing car - 2010 Audi A4
  By 1st NonJapanese car - June 11 - 3:11 pm

  I looked at the usual competitors Lexus IS, Infiniti G35, BMW 3 series, and even a Nissan Maxima. I didnt like the MMI system when I test drove it, but after one day it was easy and now I love it. The car has a perfect balance of performance and luxury. Theres enough space for my bigger friends, but has the design to make people look when I drive by. Its good for someone with a family or a bachelor.