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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  Very solid, nice, fast and good looking - 2002 Audi A4
  By A4_1.8_TQMS - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Everything is very close to perfect except of climate control. Probably bad placed temp sensors inside car. Everything else is just great. I love not-cheap-plastic stylish interior. Handling is one of the best. Sport package is awesome. Great value for money.

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  tt review - 2003 Audi TT
  By martyn - May 3 - 2:00 am

  great fun to drive ... coasts at 100 mph. superb acceleration from 70 - 90 mph

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  Enjoy free scheduled mtc while it lasts - 2000 Audi A4
  By itgrad1 - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I love the look and feel of the car and its been a blast to drive. However, as Mike pointed out..... this car spends a ton of time in the shop. Although this wasnt a problem at first (free until 50,000)its gotten quite expensive. The 50,000 mi service was almost $700 of routine stuff. Save your pennies for the service as its needed every 5,000 miles. Ive replaced the same headlight 5 times, water pump went, computer problems (dash goes black) up the wazoo. Ill be trading in soon. (Note this all happened ironically between 50,000 and 60,000 miles)

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  jon - 2003 Audi TT
  By Tmac647 - May 2 - 2:00 am

  it is a great car with lots of speed and horesepower. the style of the car is great. it is very aerodynamic and looks very sporty.

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  94 Audi 90cs - 1994 Audi 90
  By 94audi90cs - May 1 - 2:00 am

  You wont find a nicer car out there in the 4,000-8,000 price range. These cars are outstanding!! BMWs are WAY over priced and they are WAY over rated! This Audi is much more luxurious with the wood trim and all its options. The performance and handling of this car are exquisite! I can out handle and out accelerate most of the cars I encounter on the roads!! :) Audi created a perfect blend of sport and luxury when they made this car. As with everything they design! I highly recommend this car! Youll immediately fall in love with this car!

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  A Car For All Seasons - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By williar - May 1 - 2:00 am

  We chose this car because it is easy to get in & out of and is very prectical in everyday use. But unlike other wagons, it has a bulletproof full-time AWD system, a great ride, excellent handling, terrific performance, and an adjustable suspension that gives 5.6" to 8.2" of clearance. Reliability has been excellent, and the warranty covers everything for 4yrs/50K miles, including oil changes. A bit better offroad than a Subaru Outback, but rides like a Cadillac. Fuel usage averages 19 mpg; not bad for a heavy, powerful AWD car.

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  A6 rocks!!! - 2003 Audi A6
  By JamieK - May 1 - 2:00 am

  All cars should be be this roomy and handle as well. The quattro is king! It is not underpowered by any means but more would always be good.

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  180hp front drive convertile - 2001 Audi TT
  By Grimmond - May 1 - 2:00 am

  This car is a pleasure to drive. The thing I like most about it is strangely the interior. Everything feels rock solid and precisely designed. Im 61" and still everything is in just the right place. It feels just as solid on the road whether hitting a twisty mountain backroad, or at speeds of 130mph (and still felt like there was plenty left despite hitting the speed limiter). Its quiet too, even with the top down and at high speed. This is simply the most stylish and fun sports car currently on the market for the price. Im in love. (my wallet isnt though)

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  Dollar for dollar unbeatable for now. - 2006 Audi A3
  By Michael - April 30 - 11:23 am

  From the first moment I test drove this car, I was sold. Since the day I purchased it I cannot say enough about it. It just takes every important aspect of today’s cars, and combines them together, and then tops it off with exciting new features. Audi got it right, excellent job guys!

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  What A Car! - 2006 Audi A3
  By Andy - April 30 - 8:33 am

  Test drove this car with no intention of buying an Audi and drove home with it. The 200 HP under the hood and the McPherson strut front suspension make this one fun car to drive. I was amazed at how much room this small car has. If you test drive, make sure you ride in the back at some point to see what Im talking about. We have the Sport Package, Open Sky System (way cool!), Cold Weather Package, Convenience package and Bose Radio. This car rocks!