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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  Head turner! - 2003 Audi A4
  By VenTTed - October 12 - 10:00 am

  Great car (this is our second Audi) and my wife loves it. It will be her dily driver and shes captivated by it. The CVT tranny though results in a VERY slow pick up as you initially accelerate. Once moving, this car is impressive in all areas for a cruiser and a blast to drive. In two weeks, we have 1800 miles on it.

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  Awesome Car - 2003 Audi S6
  By Love Car - October 12 - 2:00 am

  This car is awesome! It looks great, handles like a dream, and has the best interior I have ever seen. You have to get this wagon. It drives like a car, yet hauls like a wagon! There is no better combo! You hardly ever see one on the road, which I think is a good thing, yet it needs to have some more fame!

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  Forget about a Bimmer. This is better - 1999 Audi A4
  By Marko - October 11 - 2:00 am

  I test-drove the 328, and all things considered , the Audi is better value for the money. It will run rings around the Bimmer in bad weather. There are a lot of neat features to learn about once you buy one. The downside is that the back seats are somewhat cramped. Im 61" though, and the front seats are fine for me.

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  2006 audi a4 check engine light always on - 2006 Audi A4
  By M_A_B - October 10 - 1:45 am

  I owned acura integra,Toyota Corolla and Mitsubishi Lancet evolution 8,driving Japanese cars is much easier, cheap to maintain and check engine light barely turn on. Before I buying any type of cars i do my research on Edmunds consumer review and how this people rate the 2006 audi a4 "great car" is a lie because first year of owing it in had nothing but headaches on repairs and terrible gas mileage on a stock car(normal driving). I do my regular oil change 3k miles,transmission fluid flush at 100k and do most of the repair myself and check engine light never ends, after fixing one thing a different check light codes pops up. I spend $2000 in oem parts within the last 3 years owning it,cam followers,pcv valves,brake booster hoses,spark plugs coil packs all replaced. Interior is also falling apart my glove compartment hinges replaced ,center console arm replaced, passenger back window motor replaced,window button peeling off replaced, rear back seat cup holder wont open i think the spring is damage inside to pop out. Overall this 2006 a4 is garbage and I wont be owing any audi a4 ever again.

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  Another nice Audi quattro Wagon - 1999 Audi A6
  By VWAudiFan - October 9 - 2:00 am

  Our experience has been typical of our previous VW and Audi vehicles. The major stuff (engine, transmission, quattro, etc.) is bulletproof. The cars structure is very solid, and possesses that wonderful German feel when driving or simply closing the hefty door. It is the little things, such as broken switches and failed electronic modules, that will drive you crazy (as they deplete your bank account). Dealer network is inconsistent, ranging from "were an (affluent) Porsche/Audi luxury car dealer, and intend to treat you accordingly," to "our other franchises are VW and Honda, and we plan to handle you in a similar less-than-refined manner."

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  Best of both worlds - 2002 Audi A6
  By JH - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Love it! I have a family of four and was tired of the SUV/Minivan thing and wanted something fun to drive. We still have the minivan, but this car is the quintessential sports sedan. Great for family outings or date night with my wife or a solo drive on a winding mountain road blaring the Bose system.

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  The most fun car - 2001 Audi TT
  By benoit - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I love it. It was my dream car. Ive bought it. And its still my dream car!

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  Awesome!!!!! - 2004 Audi S4
  By Unionjack - October 6 - 10:00 am

  I was lucky to get one of the first cars to be imported into the USA. Having waited 11 months for the car to arrive every one of my expectations have been met. The handling/ acceleration/braking is second to none. I clocked over a 1000 miles this last weekend and could have gone on for another 1000. The vehicles standard Recaro seats are very comfortable whilst at the same time extremely firm and gripping. Everything except fuel consumption gets a 10 in my book but then a few less miles to the gallon is a small price to pay for this awesome ride.

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  Under the radar high performance Audi S6 - 2002 Audi S6
  By Sven Hoffmann - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Audis "Never follow" ad campain encapsulates the S6 perfectly in all aspects. The only way to discribe this car is :"its stiff,responsive, focused & fast". The car is a decathlete in a grey flannel suit pubesent racers will have to look elsewhere for presumptuous wings and other mutant aero appendages. With 36.4 cubic feet of luggage space and roomy interior for four adults, the S6 is unmatched in its versatilaty and luxurious comfort. All in all this rocket lux wagon has an equal level of sports performance that will rival any BMW M or AMG sports sedan. Thanks to Len Hunt ,for giving Audi new DNA .

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  TT Roadster - 2002 Audi TT
  By RLS - October 5 - 2:00 am

  This car has been a joy! If you want to watch some heads turn, drive the TT. I think the TT has the best looking interior(baseball stitch) Ive seen. Its a very unique and solid built automobile.