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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  audi eats the gas - 2004 Audi A6
  By john ricc - December 23 - 2:00 am

  My Audi A6 gets me exactly 14.5 miles to the gallon. The dealership (Legend in Amityville)is absoulutely useless. They dont honor the loaner agreement and they try there hardest to make ownership a miserable experience. #1 AVOID THIS DEALERSHIP #2 The car is a gas guzzler.

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  Dissapointed in Quality and Dealership - 2000 Audi A6
  By motternd - December 22 - 2:00 am

  Just got a certified preowned A6 from Jim Ellis Audi in Atlanta. Very unhappy with the quality. It has loose panels, rattles under the dash, and knocks from the rear dash. I took the vehicle in for electric short 5 months after buying & found that it needed $1400 of repairs. Needed new cv boots, tie rod ends, & had oil leak. I battled Jim Ellis & Audi of America for two weeks on this. A preowned certified vehicle should not need this type of work 5 months after purchasing. I finally got Jim Ellis Audi share the cost. Dont trust the preowned certified process. Have your own mechanic check the car before buying.

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  Hidden tiger - 2016 Audi A6
  By Edguapo - December 21 - 11:49 am

  A visual esthetic high performance car.

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  Model Update Needed - 2004 Audi A6
  By Chance Vought - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I have owned 4 A6s and find the new 3.0 to have lost substantial refinement.The engine although adding 20 horsepower feels crude when compared to the 2.8 and sounds as if it is working too hard.Even the brushed alluminum gear shift plate has been reduced in size over the older models and the fabric covering the gear shift and the steering wheel is a very coarse space age product I would expect to find on a non luxury vehicle.The model is showing its age. Time for a new one.

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  A8L tops all others - 2004 Audi A8
  By William Mountbatten - December 20 - 2:00 am

  I have rotated back and forth between Mercedes and Audi, and occassionally the nightmare of BMW. I have traded in my 2001 S500 4Matic for the new Audi A8L. The ride of the new A8 is comparable to that of my Bentleys. I must say it is one of the best luxury (non-exotic) cars I have owned especially with Audis Quattro AWD system, best in the market. Benzs 4Matic is no comparison, had many near accident experiences with the S-Class along with other numerous technical errors. This car has a classy and sport look, exquisite and spacious interior, and to top it off, it bears Germanys most prestigious brand. Yes, that is the four-rings of Audi!

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  Great Car - 2003 Audi A4
  By audibound03 - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Great car for what you pay for. I use to love the BMW 330 but when I drove the A4 I fell in live with it. Audi has thought of everything. You can buy the performance chip from Audi performance Racing APR witch increases the horsepower by 40 hp. This is a great investment. This gives the A4 the little extra power needed.

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  Best Value in its class. - 2003 Audi A4
  By GaryC - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I got this one after a 01 BMW 325CI 5spd. Performance is better than expected. The handling is great, better than my BMW. Seat has more adjustments but slightly less comfortable. Initial quality is superb. Car is tight and very solid. Cup holders have been improved. More features than BMW and a better value, looks better to(4 Door).

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  Too Fun! - 2005 Audi A4
  By 05AudiFan - December 19 - 8:33 am

  My 2005 Audi A4 1.8T is fantastic! I drove everything from a BMW 330, Acura TL, Infiniti G35, Volvo S60, and Saab 9-3 before settling on the Audi. Its the perfect blend of performance, luxury, and comfort.

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  A6 4.2 versus STS - 2000 Audi A6
  By Krafty 2001 - December 17 - 2:00 am

  After owning an STS for 3 years I decided it was time for a change. The 4.2 stood out as a great alternative to the commonplace BMWs traveling the highways. The power and confidence in quatro in Boston weather made the 4.2 an easy choice. Many BMW owners complained to me about poor handling in bad weather conditions. The 4.2 is like spider man. This car sticks to the road.

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  one great car - 2001 Audi A4
  By soccerbaby104 - December 17 - 2:00 am

  Awesome really fun car...i have a BMW and this Audi....love them both...I will be buying another...I hear the 2004s are even more evolved..