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 is a nice car - 1997 Audi A6
  By Kian - May 7 - 2:00 am

  This is a nice car. I just can imagine an A8 after this. Very reliable on the rain/snow. You have the most advanced AWD syatem in the world.

• 

  STILL IN LOVE - 2001 Audi TT
  By WEBSCRAMBLER - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Well.....I looked at them all (Boxter,Z3,BMW 330,Honda S2000,MB,Saab 93,Volvo C70 even the Solera). My first love was the Boxter (I didnt fit in it - Im 63") second choice Solera (I have a wife and two teenagers,,,and Toyotas last forever) but it was so boring. Next was the BMW 330c. Great car at way too much $. Honda S2000,,too small BUT THE AUDI TT IS PERFECT!!!! Great combination Style,performance ,service and value

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  Quattro - 2004 Audi A4
  By quttro - May 7 - 2:00 am

  awesome what else to say. needs 15 words

• 

  Everything You Wanted and More... - 2004 Audi A4
  By jake66 - May 7 - 2:00 am

  To be honest this car is expensive, but it is worth it. The handling with Quattro is unparalleled, the sport package adds to this and is a must. The combination of exterior and interior styling brings a smile to your face everytime you see the car. The interior is phenomenally comfortable with endless seat adjustments.

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  AUDI - 2004 Audi A4
  By juan uribe - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Excellent overall quality!! Good value

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  The Wanderer - 2016 Audi A4
  By Tom K - May 6 - 3:51 pm

  Very disappointed with steering. On straight roads and at speeds over 60mph the car is ALL over the road. You will need to work hard on a long trip to keep it on track. I had the car brought in right away to Princeton Audi. The result, they said that the steering is within correct limits. My conclusion is this is either a very poor design by Audi or Princeton Audi Service is incapable of correcting the problem. My advice, make sure to test drive at speed over 60mph before purchasing.

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  Bought a second one.... - 2003 Audi A6
  By secondaudi - May 6 - 2:00 am

  I started with 2000 4.2 and upgraded to a 2002 A6 4.2. Silky-smooth V8 engine, plenty of torque... Interior: The leather feels soft and rich, the dash-board looks perfect, the instruments well placed, and the theres plenty of room for 4 adults. Exterior: Understated and elegant, almost a sleeper. Handling is superb, rain or shine. You WILL need winter-tires, but thats standard in this performance class. Excellent brakes, and four-wheel traction will make for fun in city traffic too. If you know cars and can appreciate technology, buy an Audi and blend in -- its a 50K car that feels like a 50K car should feel.

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  Not Bad, Could be Better - 2002 Audi A4
  By CHenry - May 6 - 2:00 am

  I have a fairly loaded 2002 A4 3.0 quattro with 5-speed Tiptronic: sport, luxury, Cold weather, xenons. All-in-all this has been a satisfactory car. Fit and finish was excellent. I have had a few niggling issues: horns had to be replaced at 20,000 mi (horns, whatever?!), power steering fluid mysteriously disappears (once, only). The Tiptronic could be a little smoother on the upshift, especially in low gears. Acceleration is a little weak, even for an automatic.

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  S4 - 2001 Audi S4
  By Suckas - May 5 - 2:00 am

  This car iz so wonderful to drive, a lot od power, stabability, control and it can be compared with almost any car from the M3 and down, the new one will be a great competition with the m5.

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  Great Car - 2002 Audi A4
  By preston - May 4 - 2:00 am

  If you are looking at comparable cars such as the BMW 3 the Audi A4 gives you more for your dollar and performs just as well if not better .