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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  Performance, style, comfort and value - 2000 Audi A4
  By Marc v.1.8 - December 18 - 2:00 am

  The 1.8T is very responsive and eager to be worked hard. Although the 1.8T doesnt have stellar 0-60 times, full torque is available anywhere between 1800 and 5500 rpms. This makes the car far more powerful in real world situations than the 0-60 times suggest because the engine is virtually always producing full torque. Handling is very nimble and it holds the road with tenacious grip. Yet the ride comfort is as good as comfort-oriented cars that dont handle nearly as well as the A4. The quattro is truly amazing and I pass 4x4 SUVs with ease on snowy roads. The A4 is a true driver-oriented sport sedan at a bargain price.

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  uhhh... - 2003 Audi TT
  By deadmete - December 17 - 2:00 am

  this is a good car, but i wouldnt suggest it to everyone, get a different car for the same price, and you might get a better deal.

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  A^ - Oh What a Life Saver - 2003 Audi A6
  By Ronald Behe - December 17 - 2:00 am

  Involved in a very serious accident w/ A6 other car lost control, skid into me. (T-bone). Both cars, 50-55 MPH, were "totaled." Two occupants in the other car killed instantly. Wife and I are sore and aching, but no serious injuries. . The A6 crushed exactly as it was desgined. The entire front was demolished with everthing in back of the firewall in as good as new condition. The front doors even open and closed as if there had not been the collision.

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  love my audi - 1999 Audi A4
  By mrjoshua - December 16 - 10:00 am

  i bought my 991/2 audi a4 for my wife, needless to say she hasnt driven it much! i will come up with places to go just to drive my a4. i love the ride but im just a little worried what the cost of repairs will cost.

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  2004 Audi A4 - A LEMON! - 2004 Audi A4
  By mvaladez - December 13 - 10:00 am

  My AUDI A4 is on the brink of "lemon" classification -- it has been in the shop for 22 days. I bought the car just 6 months ago and sadly, Ive had problems with it for the past 3 months. According to the service center, it is not safe to drive. It shakes violently and for some unfortunate reason, always decides to buck when coming to a stop. The transmission part needed is on back order & Audi has no idea when it will arrive. Apparently "tracking systems" are not part of Audis lexicon. I highly advise anyone interested in purchasing this vehicle to do plenty of research on the CVT system and think twice before going down this path.

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  97 A4 - 1997 Audi A4
  By TMW - December 12 - 2:00 am

  Its been a good daily use car. The car feels solid, however at 60k+ its getting a couple minor rattles. The dealers costs for repairs are excessive, this is the only reason I may not buy another one. When the car is cold its slugish, but it warms up quickly. I would probably spend the extra money for the V6 next time. However the 1.8T is a great 4 cyl.

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  Just incredible - 2000 Audi A6
  By erroly - December 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this car ~2.5 years now and I love it just same as I did the first day I got it! This car is just incredible. I smile whenever it rains and/or snows! I handles like a train on rails. I passed on a BMW 540i to get this car I had an older Mercedes before.

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  Recommended - 2006 Audi A3
  By Tim - December 11 - 5:26 pm

  This car is a solid ride, nimble both in speed and in the turns. The steering is the smoothest I have ever driven. There is a slight pause in quick acceleration but the car is very fun to drive. The interior is comfortable and the features are readily accessible and intuitive. For me it is the perfect size, great performance and a great look. I have looked at several different cars over the past few years (before finally giving up the Honda) and there is no contest for this car in the under 30k market.

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  Lots of bang for lots of bucks - 2003 Audi A6
  By PRGeyer - December 11 - 2:00 am

  When I went shopping for cars this summer, my wife was not enthusiastic. Our old car was fine. It ran, didnt have too many problems, what more could we want? Then she test drove the Audi A6. She immediately fell in love with it as much as I had. Its FAST, its comfortable, and it looks good. Ive heard some people complain that Audis can be unreliable, but I havent had any problems in the 6 months that Ive had this car. The only drawback is that the turbo sucks gas like its going out of style. It would also be nice if Audi could design some real cup holders. Other than that, both my wife and I LOVE this car.

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  2017 a4 prestige - 2017 Audi A4
  By Hells - December 10 - 10:33 am

  I have always been interested in owning an A4. The new 2017 A4 prestige meets my vehicle requirements at this time. It is sporty, fun to drive, packed with safety features and looks great! My A4 has the head up display, sport, technology, and warm and cold weather package. The interior is trimmed with burl wood and the door exit lighting includes the Audi beam ring projectors. The virtual cockpit is awesome!!!!! It consists of google maps and google earth. Gas mileage is very good. Audi packed a lot of technology into the 2017 A4.