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 drive bad reliability - 2000 Audi A6
  By b williams - January 22 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car used in October 2003 with 30k. In one month I have replace brakes, roters (and they still squeek, Repaired many cabin rattles, and need to replace leeky valve cover gaskets. The car is fun to drive but I wished I had not bought it.

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  Extremely Poor Quality and Service - 2002 Audi A6
  By C. Del Rosario - January 22 - 2:00 am

  My car has only 14,800 miles and has been in for repairs 4 times due to a variety of reasons- catl conv (twice), ignition coils, and stereo system going out completely. Unfortunately, the service departments and Audi policies are NOT what you would expect of a luxury car dealer. Our other family car is a Lexus (similar class, type) and we have received excellent service from the service dept, always gotten a Lexus loaner, and never been brought in for repairs. I bought an Audi expecting a high level of quality and service and unfortunately have not come close to my expectations.

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  I love my car - 2004 Audi A6
  By nicejams - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought it and havent touched another car ever since it would be like cheating. I love it all I can say is test drive this car you will love it to.

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  Great when running - 1998 Audi A6
  By Whaleya2 - January 21 - 2:00 am

  The car is very fun to drive, however things keep breaking. The car has 32K on it and in the last 12 months I have spent over $4,000 on repairs. Some I did some repairs myself and others I took to an independent shop or the dealer. Since this review is limited to 700 characters I cant even begin to list the problems

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  Beats my BMW - 2000 Audi S4
  By carlylsdad - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Love this car! Bought it new in 2000 after test driving it.....the salesman said Id buy it and he was right! Have 50,000 miles on it and the only trouble was a wheel bearing at 36000 miles. Still drives like new. Put a Garrett Industries chip in it and it has 310hp and will drive up a wall with the 4wd. Great in snow with 4 snow tires and in the summer with 4 performance tires. Beats the pants of my old 540 BMW at 15 grand less!

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  My audi tt - 2004 Audi TT
  By ikayjayi - January 21 - 2:00 am

  I love it, Its fun to drive, a very stylish car. Its great to cruise around in. Everything in the interior is beautiful. Its super fast too!

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  Winter driving - 2004 Audi A6
  By Sondra - January 21 - 2:00 am

  This is by far the best car I have driven in tough winter conditions here in Minnesota. I have previously always used SUVs, but will never go back to one again. I also appreciate the XFM radio standard in this vehicle. The heated car seats activate very quickly.

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  I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Audi TT
  By julia - January 20 - 2:00 am

  I ABSOLUTLY LOVE IT!!!!!!

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  best I ever owned - 2004 Audi A8
  By arnier - January 19 - 2:00 am

  I have been a bmw(2 740il, one 850csi), two porsche, and this is my first Audi. This is the finest automobile I have ever driven...second is not close! There is nothing, nothing, that was not perfect at delivery...and it has remained that way for the first 8,000 miles.

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  Fun Car - 2004 Audi TT
  By Jaegen - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Fun car to drive, fast and holds the road well under all conditions.The engine is very smooth with no power lag when shifting gears.