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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  AWD ultimate sports sedan - 2004 Audi A8
  By pkn - February 19 - 2:00 am

  excellent power and handling. great interior ergonomics. solid seating with good support and confort. great AWD.

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  A4...avoid it like a plague - 2002 Audi A4
  By John Taaffe - February 19 - 2:00 am

  When its actually working...its a nice ride. Expect it be in the shop as much as its on the road. I have had this car for 2 years, with less then 28,000 miles...and since the day I drove it off the lot I have had problems with it. Audi ( local and corporate ) will only CONTINUE to fix the car under terms of the warranty. If you are looking a good love/hate relationship with a car..then this is your car!! Otherwise, avoid it like a plague!!!

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  After two years... - 2002 Audi A4
  By G.M., Virginia - February 19 - 2:00 am

  I ordered my A4 Avant with the Sport Suspension and Summer Performance Tires without being able to test drive one set up that way. What a hoot! The car tracks like its on rails! To the person who complained that the Sport Suspension wasnt a "luxury" ride... DUH! If you want a luxury ride you dont order a Sport Suspension. The Audi A4 Avant handles as well as my wifes BMW (maybe better) and is plenty fast (especially using the tiptronic... which I personally like better than a manual). The car has been 100% reliable and, in my opinion, is one of the best looking cars on the road. Whats not to love?

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  horrible experience - 2002 Audi A4
  By steve7968@aol.com - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Im the owner of a 2002 A4 1.8T quattro....car broke down 3 times within a year, was stuck 50 miles from my home in 20 degree weather with my wife & 80 year old mother- in-law (who suffers from alzheimers) for over 4 hours until roadside assistance pickedup car.... dealer would not approve rental car until they saw car (being roadside asssitance took so long- dealer was closed!!!)... horrid experience, feel very unsafe in car, will never drive again! 2 years left on lease.....

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  Joses review - 2008 Audi A3
  By Jose - February 17 - 11:08 am

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  Balanced - 2003 Audi A6
  By SD Audi Owner - February 17 - 2:00 am

  This car does it all: performance,comfort,styling,and price. Throw in Audis workmanship with class- leading fit and finish and you have perfect balance. Note: my driving experience significantly improved after the break in period. The engine, shifter, and suspension seem more in sync after a couple thousand miles.

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  Good, if not great... - 2001 Audi A4
  By AreEmm - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Ive done a variety of driving in this car, (city, highway, long trips), and its always performed nicely. Its fun to drive, feels rock solid, will go through almost anything with Quattro, responds nicely to all driver input and looks great. I wish it got better gas mileage and the interior was more comfortable. The armrest sucks, the cup holders blow, the automatic climate control system is on drugs half the time and the seats are less than luxurious. All that aside, (and those are some minor gripes), i think its a great car. Speaking of minor, the backseat is a joke, but what do i care, i sit up front!

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  Great Four Season Sports Coupe - 2004 Audi TT
  By TTer - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Great fun car. Able to go anywhere any season. Quattro is great in the snow (with Blizzaks). Comfortable for 6+ footer, unlike most sporty cars. Good luggage space for size. I easily fit two sets of golf clubs. Excellent power and handling. Although others may excel at the track, as an everyday driver, this car is superb.

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  the best - 2004 Audi TT
  By john benson - February 16 - 2:00 am

  i have purchased this audi as a used vehicle with 3000 miles on it. it is an 02 and i find it to be fun to drive and very stylish. i am 63, 250 lbs. and this was one of few sports cars that i could fit into. the other sports car was a corvette. its handling and performance is far superior than a normal driving car.

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  Awesome Fun - 2003 Audi A6
  By Speno - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I love my car. Anyone considering a BMW, Jag, Acura or Lexus definately needs to step up in quality and experience an Audi for less money. The quality of the interior in design and materials in unparalleled in the car business. The power of the 2.7 is so much fun its scary. I have driven everything out there and nothing compares to Audi for the Money. BMW is the only one close. Lexus is not even in the same ballpark.