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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  OH YEAH! THIS CAR OWNS!! - 1999 Audi A4
  By floppy joe - April 25 - 2:00 am

  This was the best affordable car Ive ever driven. I love this car and I am very glad that the Audi company built this car. On a scale of one to ten I gave this car a ten.

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  The new Audi A4... look out BMW! - 2003 Audi A4
  By Phillypino - April 24 - 10:00 am

  Well-balanced car! Excellent build quality, rides great, and very handsome, stylish, and artful interior/exterior design. The quattro system is awesome! Save your $$, forget the bimmers and the benzes... this car is excellent all-around (especially in the northern climates). 2002 Dolphin Gray Audi A4 1.8T Quattro Sport w/ Manual Trans.

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  Best car Ive had...one weird thing - 1999 Audi A6
  By Robbo331 - April 24 - 2:00 am

  Best car Ive owned...got a lease, extended the lease, now I just bought it. 42000 miles. The car has saved my BUTT several times on slick roads...great brakes. Love AWD, you can go FAST on highway entrances, BOSE rocks. Interior is very comfy and looks like youve got 747 controls at night. Had several recalls but that went smoothly.

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  Dont be fooled by the pretty car - 1998 Audi A4
  By michael jackson - April 24 - 2:00 am

  Control arm bushings failed, the windshield wipers failed, the ignition wiring failed. I go through a $100 headlight a year. Ive had to replace two fuel injectors. After having a recall service performed on the front tie-rods, the car never drove straight again. It requires $91 octane gasoline or better (US). This car was maintained by Audi, by the book, for the first 50,000 miles, and meticulously by myself and a certified Audi technician thereafter, yet it continues to fall apart. I truly wish I never bought this car and I wouldnt own another Audi if someone paid me to do so. Its the definition of an unreliable lemon.

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  1999 Audi A6 Quartro - 1999 Audi A6
  By Niclo Casta - April 23 - 2:00 am

  Several items had to be replaced during the five years of ownership and other observerances. 1. Relay switch for transmission had to be replaced. (Repair cost was refunded by Audi after I wrote them a letter.) 2. Headlight washer pump had to be replaced. Covered under warranty. 3. Middle rear seat belt froze and had to be replaced. Took three weeks to get part. Covered under warranty. 4. Fastener for front carpet broke off. 5. Service provider suggested repairs that were not needed after warranty expired. This was confirmed by a master mechanic.

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  Disappointed - 2000 Audi A4
  By Autumn - April 23 - 2:00 am

  I love my Audi A4 1.8T, but sadly it is a lemon. Of course, I find out it is a lemon after the warranty...I will never buy another A4 because the dealership where I purchased it will not take any responsiblity. I have taken it in several times, and all I hear is the fact that they have never seen an Audi with so many problems! Apparently, the Audi corporation does not stand behind their product either. It is a shame, because it is such a fun little car.

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  One Great Automobile! - 2001 Audi A6
  By Captain Daddy - April 23 - 2:00 am

  I didnt expect to love this car. After a 20 minute work out with a 540, I was still pumped when I got to the Audi dealer. I expected to confirm 540 supremacy - wrong! The A6 shocked me - beautiful & polished solid feel from the door handle to the wheel powerful, lusty V8 smooth & confident pedal response and a "one-ness" not found in the BMW. I knew the quattro would have an advantage in snow & ice, I didnt expect the significant difference on wet, gravel, sandy roads, or even uphill turning acceleration. The 540 is an awesome car on a clear dry day, but for an everyday sports sedan there is no comparison.

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  The BEST car yet ! - 1999 Audi A6
  By SJC009 - April 22 - 2:00 am

  A truly outstanding car to own. No mechanical issues yet ! Regular maintenance performed as per guidelines. Only problem is the front brake pads need replacing often , due to city driving in Washington DC. Im a very happy owner and intend gettign a new one in a few months. Im not waiting for the new model Im happy with the current model.

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  Timeless Audi - 2002 Audi A6
  By newtoaudi2002 - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Great car overall. Love the 3.0 engine in the sport mode(S). Lots of interior & trunk space for a relatively compact exterior. Timeless design that is certainly more distinctive than an E320. Gas mileage is less than the E320 4MATIC it replaced in combined city/highway driving

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  my first audi - 1999 Audi A6
  By jorgezl - April 19 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car, specially for the Minnesota winters thanks to their AWD and rust protection. Interior and exterior are awesome, great quality, cool design. Very ergonomic and lots of space (front, back and trunk). I also enjoy the treatment at the dealership, very friendly and fast. I am very glad I bought this car.