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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  Fantastic! - 2016 Audi A3
  By Carolyn - January 17 - 8:19 pm

  This car is classy and so much fun to drive. The A3 is for someone who wants luxury and affordability.

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  German Reliability? - 2000 Audi TT
  By aceTT - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Just traded my TT in...a sad day, because it is one of the most attractive production cars Ive seen. Too bad it spent so much time in the shop as it was certainly fun to drive. Good looks and performance though are only part of the equation. Nowadays, you expect a $30k to be designed and be well built. Maybe it was just my model but Consumers Report gives it the "thumbs down" for reliability as well. It was also a happy day, as my payments to the service department at Audi will cease.

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  2002 A6 2.7 T - 2002 Audi A6
  By LindaJ - January 16 - 2:00 am

  My second Audi. Love it in the snowy Northeast Winters. Handles great, with superior pickup in all conditions. Fun, while safe, to drive.

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  Better Than Any Other - 2004 Audi A6
  By rrushing - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I had an 98 A4 and loved it. Traded for a 00 Lexus GS300 4 mnths ago and liked it, but had to go back to the Audi. Drove the A6 2.7T and fell in love w/ it. Audi makes the best cars (great performance w/ luxury style). Best car in the market under $80k. You have power, performance, and tight (but not too tight) suspension.

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  a Porsche Speedster for Less $$$$$ - 2001 Audi TT
  By Docolater - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car new to be a winter vehicle in addition to my Porsche(hense the Quattro and coupe choices) 911.I feel that this car is actually close to the air cooled 911s more so than the new water cooled Porsches.The TT makes u feel special each time you drive it.Just like the 911. No other car makes u feel so fantastic!!!!!!

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  Wonderful daily drivers car - 2004 Audi TT
  By JWStella - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I put in about 120-150 miles per day on my TT - most of them on windy backroads. Ive driven and owned many RWD dedicated sports cars and unless you are on the track at or near the limits, the TT provides a superior experience. The Quattro system makes this a great car in rain or snow (if you put on some Michelin Pilot Sport A/Ss). Dont pass it up.

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  Great balance of power security and fun - 2001 Audi A6
  By giaz - January 15 - 2:00 am

  After trading in a lexus gs300, I couldnt wait for the first snowfall. The salesperson told me not to bother getting snow tire - he gave me his cell number and told me he come and push my car if it ever got stuck. Hes was right. I get great peformance and no white knuckles in the chicago winter.

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  what a car - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By afay50 - January 13 - 10:00 am

  the allroad I purchased rides like a luxury car with the speed of a sports car, it has everything in it from xenon headlights to esp(must read description from audi). automatic suspension high adjustment for different speeds and tiptronic trans. great car/wagon

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  Excellent stealth vehicle - 2003 Audi A8
  By Beli - January 13 - 2:00 am

  I like everything about this car, except navigation sistem. Car is very smooth and quiet, and my kids really like all that space on the back seats. I never had any problems with vehicle, and was in service only for regular maintenance. Its excellent car without to much bling-bling.

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  Awesome! - 2004 Audi S4
  By Schnel - January 13 - 2:00 am

  This is an excellent car, overall. It looks great, the build quality and fit and finish are top-notch, the Audi interior/ergonomic designers have outdone themselves, and the 4.2L V8 performance is incredible, as is the steering, suspension, and quattro- enhanced handling. This car is a truly an elegant sleeper!