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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  A4 is way better than a 330i - 2004 Audi A4
  By RyanAtEdmunds - November 18 - 10:00 am

  Complements is what you get from this car. Once you start to drive this car off the lot you will notice the extreme smoothness of the engine and transmission. Not to mention the handling is a true pleasure. I have really tested this car out now for the past six months and I have been able to keep up with M3’s on the 110 between downtown and Pasadena. In the LA rain you have the full confidence of Quattro and stability control. If you haven’t ever driven Quattro in the rain, well you’re missing out on some serious traction. The upgraded Bose system is so crisp and ear piercingly loud. People who know cars buy Audi who don’t buy BMW.

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  Different Conv w/ great perf - 1998 Audi Cabriolet
  By Jamie400 - November 18 - 2:00 am

  I have had my car for 5 years, and it has been so much fun. The best part is having a car that you dont see every day. The backseat is bigger than the BMW, the car is heavier than a station wagon and hugs the road.

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  Worst I have Owned Since my Dodge Omni - 2000 Audi A6
  By ray85158 - November 18 - 2:00 am

  I never thought I would make as many trips to the repair shop as I did with my 84 Dodge Omni, I was wrong. My 2000 Audi A6 was in the shop about 6 times between June and Oct of 2002. For a certified Audi this car leaked like a sieve. One windshield washer leak, 2 tranmission leaks and 2 oil leaks. The oil and transmission leaks where to solve a buring smell and smoke coming off the engine which they did not! Replaced a cup holder, CD changer, battery, and a radio too if I would wait 6-months for a replacment. Oh, and a power lock switch that had a mind of its own. Dumped the car for a 2003 Honda Accord.

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  Modern Classic - 2003 Audi TT
  By Kartman - November 18 - 2:00 am

  Stunning compact roadster is a modern classic. This car grows on you the longer you own it with interior styling that makes sitting inside the car as pleasing as looking at the sleek chassis design. Get black exterior with "baseball" optic leather and you have a vehicle that never stops turning heads.

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  Audi A^ - 2002 Audi A6
  By Johannes - November 17 - 10:40 pm

  The Audi A6 did not meet my expectations. Instead, I prefer a Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The C-Class is far superior in design, performance and price.

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  1996 Audi A4 Quatro - 1996 Audi A4
  By Akire - November 14 - 2:00 am

  This is a car that is fun to drive. It has exeptional cornering ability. The brakes let you stop on a dime. I like the precision in the steering it is tight and exact. I also like the built- in antenna in the rear window. One less item to cause problems.

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  Hottest Wagon on Earth - 2003 Audi S6
  By mpyles1 - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Thought my 2002 A6 4.2 was as good as family cars get . . . then I bought an S6. It has the punch and handling edge of my 1998 Corvette, with infinitely better build quality and chassis solidity. Only downside is car was delivered with warped rear rotors (which might have been caused by the dealer over-torquing the aftermarket wheels I had him install). But the dealer replaced the rotors the same day I picked up the car and discovered the problem. LOVE this car!

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  99 Audi - 1999 Audi A6
  By LAshrink - November 13 - 2:00 am

  I like the car

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  TT is a great car - 2003 Audi TT
  By riskytrader - November 13 - 2:00 am

  Absolutely a great car even given it only has 180 HP. My only gripe about it is the backseat where not even a small child can fit. Possibly they can but only if they sit sideways. Other than that its a pretty cool car!

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  2003 Audi A4 - 2004 Audi A4
  By jackfrost - November 12 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle has ben flawless since purchased. The service is great superb warranty.This is my 3rd Audi and I love it even more than my last one.