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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  Service center wait times - 2001 Audi A4
  By scollier11 - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Although I love my car I would not recommend it to anyone. Last month my window regulator shattered and stuck in the down position. Columbia SC service wouldnt see me for 2 weeks - had to travel 2 x the distance to Charlotte where it took 3 separate trips to fix problem - over a month to fix a window so it would roll up and down also left tape residue ruining tint job. Great car - Bad service

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  My Audi A6 is a Perennial oil leaker - 1998 Audi A6
  By Alpha Ed - July 23 - 2:00 am

  Its a fine car but overall mechanical quality suffers relative to its price range. I had to replace every single engine seal and gasket before 60,000 miles! Some of the gaskets I replaced just 16,000 miles ago are now failing again. My steering is now starting to go out. I have previously owned a Mitsubishi, Honda, Toyota and a Suburu. This car has required by far the most repair maintenance of all those models....combined.

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  5 Years and Still Loving it - 1998 Audi A4
  By keiths66 - July 23 - 2:00 am

  After a few frustrating episodes with the dealer on service issues, I still love this car. Ive got 65k miles and it looks and rides like brand new! Just took a 1,000 mile trip and averaged 30mpg while averaging 75mph!

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  This is my second TT! - 2003 Audi TT
  By OceanTT - July 23 - 2:00 am

  I just traded my 2000 TT Coupe in for a new TT Roadster. I love this car so much!!! Beautifully built and designed. Not the fastest car in its class, but who cares? Its swift enough and the turbo is fun. Test drove the rest of the competition before making my choice on another TT. Im in love with this car!!!

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  Best buy I ever made - 2001 Audi A4
  By hav - July 23 - 2:00 am

  I got the car in July 2001 and have not had any problems with it. Features I got are manual transmission, Bose sound system, sports package, winter package and leather interior. Everything was well worth it. Only car I know where the doors all open 90 degrees. How many cars do you know with a FULL-SIZE spare tire just in case and 8 (count em, 8!) airbags? Fun to drive in summer and winter. Only regret is that I could not get an S4 Avant!!! BMW owners just dont know what they are missing.

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  Audi A8 -- great for mountain living - 2000 Audi A8
  By MEBalk - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Living in the mountains of Colorado, where we contend with steep climbs and snowy weather, the Audi A8 is as good as a sedan can get. Its got the power, traction, looks, room and reliability that a top of the line luxury sedan should deliver.

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  Ouch! - 1997 Audi A4
  By SM - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Talk about everything going wrong... Too numerous to tell - Lets just say my wallet is considerably lighter now! I bought this car because it was supposed to be reliable - many years ago at least. It turned out completely unreliable.

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  my baby - 2003 Audi TT
  By eceme - July 20 - 2:00 am

  this car is my baby, im 18 and this was my first car and i love it to death... i know im a spoiled little daddies girl but i grew up around cars and i know a great car when i drive it, im the envy of all my friends, everyone wishes they had an audi, but im the only one who has one and that makes it that much better. I love the special touches i made to it, i got it painted light pink and got light pink stitching to the interior, its my baby

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  Awesome Performance Lots of Fun - 2003 Audi TT
  By Sharon Huffman - July 20 - 2:00 am

  This car is pure fun! The acceleration is excellent-especially fun to feel it open up from second to third! Great handling in turns, smooth ride, low noise, great engineering. With the top down it is also impressive - unlike some convertibles this car is engineered with passenger comfort in mind with the top down. The balance of air flow is perfect to keep passengers comfortable in higher heat or in cooler weather. Good sound system - but probably the only thing I would upgrade. Seats are extremely comfortable and the visibility is very good for a convertible. The interior trim is awesome. Very sleek, fun vehicle. I have enjoyed every moment!

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  TT for Tina - 2003 Audi TT
  By Tina Calem - July 20 - 2:00 am

  I totally love my Audi TT, I am a car nut and I used to race when I was younger, this car drives like a dream and I am so happy with it as you can tell that I recommend it to all who are willing to smile from the moment they get in until pulling into your driveway.You will also notice people stareing at you and the TT but do not let that bother you. ENJOY THE RIDE