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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  Not a grocery getter! - 1998 Audi A4
  By Not a grocery getter - April 18 - 2:00 am

  This is an amazing car with handling, power, and all wheel drive packed in an inconscpicuous wagon. My friend just purchased a 2003 Mercedes C240 and it has been back to the shop 4 times in the first 10,000 miles. My A4 2.8 has had minor expected repairs but it has over 90,000. I recommend replacing the timing belt before 50,000 miles, Ive only heard nightmares. I also think the water pumps came from Detroit not Germany. Although I will always own an Audi.

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  Get the Tiger: 2.7 Turbo! - 2003 Audi A6
  By Beegee - April 18 - 2:00 am

  Beautiful lines and power. This car is a Tiger. The roomy back seat is perfect to pile in your friends for a great ride ! This car feels great to drive if you like a luxury car with a sporty feel.

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  Great Car - 2017 Audi A4
  By Rob Glass - April 17 - 10:53 pm

  so far, so good. I got the S-Line, Premium Plus package and am very happy with it. Quality it top notch inside and out. No issues at all, though Ive only had it for a month and about 1500 miles.

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  Great car - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Bay Area Driver - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Traded up from an A6 wagon. Liked the A6 but like the Allroad even better, in particular the increased power and general updates. Its a great car.

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  Well worth the money - 2003 Audi A6
  By Good Golfer - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Best car I have ever owned for both style and performance.

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  All Around Package - 2005 Audi A4
  By stepheng - April 15 - 10:00 am

  My objective was to balance these factors with my car purchase: taxi the kids to/from school, soccer, etc., good fuel economy, ability to transport bike inside, carry dogs, reasonable price, and last but not least, FUN. This car so far meets all these criteria. Like most reviews, I too want a bit more hp, but I plan to upgrade the ECU...should do the trick. This is one of the most intelligently engineered cars Ive seen, and coming from 3 years of my Volvo s60, thats saying alot. Electronically, Audi has put so much thought into providing features that make the car more useful in every day driving. Ride is ridiculous...very tight and controlled yet comfy. 6 speed manual is great

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  1994 Audi 100S - 1994 Audi 100
  By jaybones - April 15 - 2:00 am

  A great car! Ultra reliable with great styling, comfort, and performance. My 1994 Audi 100S has 190,000 miles and has had no problems whatsoever. I love this car.

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  Very classy comfortable! - 2003 Audi TT
  By SkT - April 15 - 2:00 am

  PROS: Fun to drive and look at. The trunk is much larger than it appears from the outside. The detail in the design of the interior is very "James Bond". CONS: Steering wheel jerks to left with acceleration. Windshield is in your line of sight unless you are a small person. Overall, this car is made for its exquisite appeal and not necessarily for a luxurious drive.

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  Lots of Bang for the Buck! - 2001 Audi A6
  By Mercury - April 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought my A-6 2.8 Quattro new 2 years ago after extensive review and test drives of BMW 325/330 XI, Mercedes C Class and Chryser 300 M. Its been a great car for me. For my money its a super value in a near luxury car-much better than the competition. The workmanship and quality has been very high, the ride - quiet on highway and handles very well for a mid size sedan. Drives like a dream in bad weather with Quattro. Controls laid out nicely and great room in entire cabin-including rear seats where my friends of 65 sat comfortably-try that in the smaller compacts. Truck space is huge for a car of this size.

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  Best Ever - 2002 Audi A6
  By G_Peter - April 14 - 2:00 am

  This is a fabulous car. Luxurious, comfortable, powerful, stylish, and very very responsive. It handles like a sports car but with the comfort of a luxury sedan. Very little lean on twisty roads, great acceleration. Great fun to drive. Best of all, in over 10K miles, zero defects noted -- nothing, nichts, nada.