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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  Truly a WOW car! - 2006 Audi A6
  By Darren - May 27 - 1:34 pm

  This car has surpassed my expectations. I am very pleased with its performance and sleek look. It has many great features that require study of the manual. But once you are comfortable with them, they are awesome. If you want fun-to-drive, coupled with comfort and eye catching appeal, get yourself an Audi.

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  Superb Quality-Design-Performance - 2009 Audi Q7
  By faa50 - May 27 - 9:56 am

  Excellent quality, thoughtful design, excellent performance and great mileage. Doesnt drive or smell like your Dads diesel. Highly recommend for price/value ratio. Will likely exceed your expectations as it did mine - 115 mph cruising UP a 30% grade mountain road, quite,no rattles and so smooth like butter excellent feel on the wheel. No American car can compete on quality or value for a dollar. Ive owned new Porsche and several new Mercedes 360SD, 450SL and 560SL - Regardless of money, Id rather own this car, and that is saying a lot. Reading this you might get the impression I am not a tough critic, you would be wrong.

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  Audi quality - 2005 Audi A6
  By DANNY - May 26 - 11:08 pm

  i just bought this car and it runs smoothly and is a gas saver. the only problem i have is that i cant turn off the dual climate control.

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  So far, so good - 2008 Audi A6
  By Mark - May 26 - 5:16 pm

  First luxury car I have owned and very pleased after two years lots of bells and whistles, even on the standard model (only option was i-pod interface). Build quality excellent - solid as a bank vault. Only complaints are touchy brakes, accelerator lag, and annoying buzzes and rattles that I mostly fixed by stuffing cracks with felt. Great gas mileage 22-37 mpg.

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  Best Luxury Sedan Value - 2010 Audi A8
  By Audi Fan - May 26 - 12:05 am

  This is my second audi,I upgraded my 2008 A6 to a 2010 A8. I also considered the BMW 550i GT and 7 series. I chose the Audi because it offered the best combo of luxury, performance and value. If you look at raw numbers of horse power and 0 to 60 times then the BMW shines, but if you drive the two cars there is no comparison. The Audis acceleration is like butter, the car seems to move effortlessly. I was always skeptical about whether or not the price jump from the A6 to the A8 was really worth it, but after driving both there is a big difference and I believe the cost is worth it. To be clear I am a fan of the A6, but I felt it was just a bit under powered with the 3.2 FSI engine.

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  Fantastic Car.. - 2007 Audi A8
  By J Montana - May 25 - 10:49 pm

  This car has it all. Looks, performance and there are not many on the road. Every other car in LA is a 7 series or S550. This is one amazing car. Tight , great motor, short wheelbase handles great. Bose stereo is more than adequate.

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  Best car Ive ever had - 2007 Audi A8
  By Justin Fontaine - May 24 - 6:07 pm

  Ive had the privilege of owning/leasing BMWs ( 5 series ) a couple of 911s and a Mercedes S class and I have to say that this A8 is tops for performance, class, reliability and most of all individuality. In LA there are thousands of S Class and 7 series. I can honestly say Ive not seen one other dark blue short wheelbase A8 with the performance 20" wheels in 3 years of driving here. The car is special in every way. The handling for a large sedan is spectacular due to the aluminum body and quattro. The fit and finish inside of the amaretto interior are awesome. Power is smooth and refined. Great Bose system. Biggest issue will be whether or not to buy it after the lease! Not one problem

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  2001 A6 4.2 - 2001 Audi A6
  By enthusiast - May 24 - 5:24 pm

  Purchased the 4.2 under the Audi Certified program. Ive accumulated over 100k with this car and it runs and looks fantastic. Continues to deliver a performance oriented drive that is supplemented with comfort and reliability. Maintenance has been limited to expected repairs for a car with over 110k on it.

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  Good Car - 2010 Audi Q5
  By Bob Whalen - May 23 - 4:07 pm

  This car is wonderful. For a car this small you think it would be cramped but its not. A definite buy

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  Exellent Vehicle - 2010 Audi Q5
  By BettyH - May 23 - 4:05 pm

  I have driven lots of cars, and this one takes the cake. Handling and overall performance are better then my wifes A4, and it has much more cargo capacity.