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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  DRIVE ON A CLOUD - 2004 Audi A6
  By MOGSPEK - November 17 - 2:00 am

  THE CVT IS THE SMOOTHEST, SEAMLESS, GREAT TRANSMISSION. FEELS LIKE YOUR IN THE RIGHT GEAR ALL-THE-TIME. NO DOWNSHIFTS.

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  Quiet, smooth, confident - 2002 Audi A4
  By Jester - November 17 - 2:00 am

  After 20 years of driving strictly American cars, finally decided to test drive an Audi, and fell in love immediately. BMWs are excellent, but I felt like I was spending $5000 for the brand name. The A4 impresses with its power, solidity, quiet, and smoothness. Even more impressive: the interior, quite simply the nicest car interior Ive ever seen. Little technology flourishes abound but dont get in the way (example: twist the mirror knob to the right and put the car in reverse, and the right mirror tilts down to show you the curb youre parallel parking toward). Overall, superb!

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  Great A4 - 2002 Audi A4
  By allanhof - November 16 - 2:00 am

  Excellent all weather vehicle as snow and rain are a mere joke for this car. I have had a few minor problems however if you want bullet proof reliability buy Japanese. Low end power is suspect however once on the move the 1.8T is a great engine.

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  We love our Audi. - 2000 Audi A4
  By audiGirl - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Its been a pretty reliable car only needing a couple minor repairs just outside warranty. Despite its seemingly low HP, its a blast to drive. The sport package is worth the money, it handles incredibly well-- quattro is the only way to go. We will buy another Audi.

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  Great - 2004 Audi A8
  By chris best - November 14 - 2:00 am

  great car with alot of room

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  Love this Car - 2004 Audi A8
  By barryk - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Traded my 3 year old S500 for this car and I love it - much prefer it to the Benz, and even to the BMW I had before that. Very sporty ride and handling, which I love, and I just love the way it looks. I know some have suggested it could use a little more power, but I find it at least comparable to the S500, if not better. Gas mileage also comparable to Benz. The MMI only took me a few minutes to figure out, much to my surprise.

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  read the good AND bad!!!! BE OBJECTIVE! - 2002 Audi A4
  By rdjames261 - November 14 - 2:00 am

  so ive owned my A4 for about a year and a half, and now im on edmunds shopping for a decent used one. i consider myself a demanding driver and as a performance vehicle, its a great ride. but in the shop 14 times over the past year is insane! clutch, suspension issues, ignition coils... the worst was being a center console (electronics) flake out that left me using a loner for a week. CONSIDERING aftermarket chip? risk screwing that powertrain warranty and youll have the sweetest looking lawn ornament in town. i wanted this thing to work cause its sweet looking package. but ive learned much more about cars than i cared to through this headache.

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  The allroad is a winner - 2005 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By audiedude - November 13 - 6:30 am

  My 2005 Audi allroad has been great. I moved from a BMW 330i (lease end) to the allroad. While the handling is no 330i the allroad has plenty of kick. I have only driven it in the snow twice and it stuck to the road like grim death. I love the build quality. The car is unique and people are always saying they like it and have never seen one before. I highly recommend this car.

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  My A6 - 2003 Audi A6
  By kbstets - November 13 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had my A6 for 3 months, but so far, so good. It is very comfortable, rides very nice. Sporty, but wish I had gotten the 2.7L Turbo for more HP & torque. The "Sport" transmission & tiptronic help that a bit. Passengers have commented on how roomy the car is, more room inside than you would think. Classy interior, like with the wood-grain and leather. Im anxious to see how the Quattro handles Nebraska winters. Only glitch has been a small electrical problem with the remote door locks, but easily fixed.

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  Buy it if you know how to fix it.... - 1997 Audi A4
  By maliguinem - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Audi is a very fun car to have. I love my Audi but be prepared to pay big$$$ once you hit over 50K. I am spending about $2000 /year on repairs and I will be selling it as soon as it gets fixed again... hope it helps.