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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  Best Car ever - 2010 Audi Q5
  By Bob Whalen - May 7 - 9:25 pm

  This vehicle is the pinnacle of luxury. It outperforms anything else I have driven. Its ride is unique, firm but smooth at the same time. Its a definite buy.

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  Supercar - 2001 Audi S8
  By chris355 - May 6 - 11:19 pm

  My S8 has a few years on it and I am still absolutely in love with it. I was looking for a sports-orientated car that could carry car seats and groceries and get around in the snowy Pittsburgh winters. This car manages to do that and more - its like three cars in one! An SUV for winter, a sports sedan for summer and a 4 dr family hauler for all times in between. Its rock solid at high speed, fun to drive and pulls like a locomotive from a stop light! Plus its faster than almost everything thats going to line up next to you on the street - and you always look like a hero pulling away without wheel spin. Its a true German sleeper.

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  The perfect all-weather supersedan - 2007 Audi S8
  By mountainMan - May 4 - 10:55 pm

  After 3 years in a Porsche 911 Carrera S, I decided Id been battered & deafened long enough. The S8 is the perfect replacement - a coddling, comforting living room when you need peace and quiet. But when you need to scream, it will gladly scream for you. The baritone bark of the V10 is unrivaled by any other luxury sedan, and the acceleration is phenomenal, with quick "whomp whomps" of the paddle shifted transmission. Yet, unlike the 911, the S8 feels utterly stable -- no wiggly sense of instability or choppiness. On the highway, it is impeccable, quiet, yet ready to blast into triple digits at a moments notice. It is subtle looking, yes, but people still notice it due to rarity.

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  2010 Audi A5 Premium Plus 2.0T Automatic - 2010 Audi A5
  By Brp - May 3 - 12:22 pm

  Rides like a dream, great almost overly-engineered features and gizmos. Takes some getting used to the lumbar support if youve come from a car without one. Hard to get in and out if youre old or big. Otherwise a great car to drive.

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  A5 Premium Plus convertible - 2010 Audi A5
  By drb - May 1 - 6:59 pm

  Thoroughly enjoying wonderful machine with Premium Plus Package and NAV. It handles superbly and is absolutely a pleasure to drive especially for tall people (Im 64"). Incredibly quiet with top closed and the baseline Bose sound system is amazing.

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  Wow - 2002 Audi A6
  By jub46 - April 29 - 9:11 pm

  Wow what a car this car is great I lowered this car did intake and exhaust and it goes like heck jet chip is next look out for the Gray haired guy next to you at the light with the smoked out a6

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  Love it! - 2010 Audi S4
  By Shawn H. - April 22 - 11:57 pm

  I have had my S4 for a few weeks now and absolutely love it. The price is reasonable, especially when you compare it to the A4 with S-Line package. The supercharged engine is amazing. Instant torque whenever you need it. Great handling, grip and performance. It effortlessly accelerates you to 80 mph before you can get off the on-ramp! It makes driving fun...even the boring commute to and from work. The 7-speed DSG can be a little aggressive on the shifting at times when you are driving it easy. Dynamic mode / Sport mode is great...the throttle/engine performance is brilliant. You will be hooked upon test driving this car so be careful if you make your way to the dealership just to "explore".

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  Love that Sport Setting on tranny - 2010 Audi S4
  By BobP - April 22 - 1:29 pm

  This will be the 3rd S4 Ive owned over 10yrs and feels the fastest. Still not sure about the big snout but the Audis tail is nice. 0-35mph around town was disappointing till I tried the Sport setting, now it is much more linear and fun. I love the Sport setting in the city!!! Try it and it becomes addictive. Beautiful interior, great seats, big trunk and 4 doors in a car that can easily keep up with the other German Cars around town in real world driving.

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  Good so far - 2010 Audi A5
  By zark - April 21 - 7:23 am

  Well, my 99 olds Alero blew a head gasket, so I decided to treat myself to this car as a birthday/midlife crises gift. Enjoying it immensely. With the Alero, driving was simply a matter of getting from point a to point b. With this car I take pleasure in driving. I am 62" and appreciate the headroom, about the best in any coupe. Very quiet/low nvh cruising on the highway. Wonderful bang&olufsen stereo. It is not a rocket, but plenty of power. With all wheel drive, it tracks well though I dont toss it around. Still learning to use all the bells and whistles, and there are many.

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  Audi A4 Premium Plus - 2010 Audi A4
  By Carreview - April 20 - 5:11 pm

  I drove the Mercedes c-300, BMW 328i, and the Lexus is250 prior to making my choice. The ride was the most comfortable in the Audi A-4. It also has great handling that matches in comparison to the other models. This turbo is makes it more zippy than the v6s in the comparison models. Drive this car before you choose one of the others.