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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  This car is gonna get EVERY single award - 2004 Audi A8
  By amol - August 1 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR!!!! The 19" wheels give a sporty appeal to the exterior. I tried out my friends BMW 745i (same price but smaller) and the i-drive was TERRIBLE!!! Audis MMI, however, is VERY user-friendly!! Audi, you made the PERFECT CAR!!

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  S6 Wagon - 1995 Audi S6
  By Maine-iac - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I just sold my 2002 S4 sedan so that I could get my not-so-new 1995.5 S6 Wagon with 99,000 miles on it. So far, I couldnt be happier with my decision. The wagon has tons of room, creature comforts, power and handling. It is also fantanstic in the snow, even with ordinary all-season tires. This car is faster than the 227 bhp figure suggests, partcularly when you figure in the massive torque available at full boost. My wagon dusts my fathers 2002 A6 2.7 bi-turbo every time. And, I think its a better looking and more useful vehicle.

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  A6 Lovely but risky - 1999 Audi A6
  By A6Driver - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I love my A6 Avant in most repects. I can throw my two dogs in the back and go camping or enjoy the twisty canyon roads with the steptronic transmission. I love the interior, the sound system, the looks and the refined engine /transmission combination. All I ask is that the car hold together over the long term. I bought it with 36,000 miles and 2,000 miles later it is in the shop having a clunk in the front suspension looked at. The brakes are also being scrutinized as they have begun to squeal. The air conditioning works well but sounds like a giant vacuum cleaner. I recommend the Audiworld website.

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  Sport Wagon ! - 2001 Audi A4
  By Mario Branciforte - July 30 - 10:00 am

  A wagon that has satified my desire for a sports car. With the sports suspension it handles our curvy/hilly country roads with a remarkably flat road hugging ride. Yet it is still a practicle car, 4 people ride comfortably (a fifty not so comfortable). Has flexible cargo capacity.

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  Great Car - 2002 Audi A4
  By Der Audi - July 30 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car. Handles well, looks great and is comfortable. It seems to be loosening up the more miles that gets put on it, so I am not complaining too much about performance anymore. The interior materials are, as always, excellent and the build quality is excellent. As I write this, there is about 3200 miles on the car and I have not had any problems. The sport wheels that come with the Avant are awesome looking!

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  Vermont A8 - 1999 Audi A8
  By cbmac - July 30 - 2:00 am

  This car has great power and is a joy to drive. Also, the car does great in the winter, and does not even need snow tires in Vermont where we normally get more than 110 inches of snow. I have never been stuck, even going up in the mountains while going skiing.

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  will keep till 80-90K,still excelrnt vehicle! - 2014 Audi Q5
  By Russ Andrews - July 29 - 8:43 pm

  Being picky, the only drawback to this fine car is the computer behind the nav system. Steep learning curve and not easily used info input system

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  quattro 4 life - 2000 Audi A4
  By woodyp - July 28 - 2:00 am

  This car has been great..its fun and with a chip very fast. It drives like its on rails and is a well made car

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  Stay Away! - 1998 Audi A4
  By LauraZV - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car in 98, thought I was buying the ultimate car. All the seals leaked, problems with exhaust. Tie rods went, radiator developed a leak, as well as water pump. Wheel bearings went in two wheels, all with less than 50 K miles in 5 years! Noise in rear of car that two car dealers could not find, then told that rear suspension needed replacing. Traded in for a Honda, very happy now, but experience with Audi, who did not compensate me for my expenses and agony, was miserable. Audi is a four letter word to me now. Dont buy an Audi.

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  Germans Rule the Road esp. Audi - 2002 Audi A4
  By SBracewell - July 28 - 2:00 am

  I have owned many cars in my 39 years of life: 3 American, 6 Japanese, and 5 German. I can say w/o a doubt that the German made cars are the best. Ive owned 3 BMWs, 1 Mercedes and my new 03 Audi A4. I can honestly say that no one builds a car like the Germans. Of the lot Mercedes ranks 3rd, BMW 2nd and Audi is #1 as being the Best Car I have Ever Owned. The Mercedes was a good car to drive but it was always in the shop for something. BMW ranks a close 2nd to the Audi, but it cant compare to the fine int. and attention to detail that Audi pays to its cars. In my book Audi is the Gold Standard that all other Car companies should be measured.