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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  Be warned.... - 2006 Audi A4
  By lowaprlover - May 1 - 6:32 pm

  I purchased my 06 A4 BRAND NEW. Within 6 months it had to be towed...not once but twice for ignition coil failure. One time I was crossing over a large bridge and the car was chugging the second time I was stuck and the car wouldnt start. It was down hill from there. Oil leaks breather valve went, and a host of other issues. Cost me a fortune (high mileage). I dont appreciate ppl saying things about not taking care of the car. My car was beyond taken care of and it was still in service all the time. STAY AWAY. They will NOT help you or admit theres an issue even though they are aware of all these issues. I traded it in for a honda, and can guarantee it will be more reliable!!

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  Car has it all - 2011 Audi A5
  By mbanyc - May 1 - 9:59 am

  Well first of all, its drop-dead gorgeous. Amazing Deep Sea Blue paint, although I personally think the curves show up better with the lighter colors. Seats are comfortable, but still could us more lateral support. 8 speed auto with the 2.0T is super-smooth, and sneaky fast, (although its no M3-beater). But so what! Its a hoot to drive, comfortable without being cushy, and it gets a few more mpg than the 3.2 Id been driving. Was concerned about a going to a 4 cylinder, but this engine is really special. A major improvement over the 08 2.0T that I didnt even consider. Cant wait to get it on a twisty back road!

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  45 days into the car A5 Coup - 2011 Audi A5
  By ginter1 - April 26 - 12:26 pm

  This is my third Audi. Ive been through 3 Lexus and 3 MB before I jumped into Audi. I must say up front I loved my 2007 A4 and thought with the kids out of the house it was time to drive a coup. I never had a single issue with my A4 Cabrio ( that I still own ) or my A4 sedan. The A5 has a bit of a different story. Right off the bat 3 defective tires. I kid you not and it took 4 days for Audi to approve their replacement. Besides this little hi-cup the car is a beauty. Feels great , great MPG and enough pep to run with the rest. Sporty steering wheel but if they tell you you can fit someone in the back seat forget it. Ill love the car for the 3 years until the lease is up. Then back to A4.

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  Out performs MPG estimates - 2011 Audi Q5
  By bigjoe7 - April 23 - 9:50 am

  I am an Acura MDX driver who was tired of limited leg room for the driver. The Q5 is smaller but has a longer wheel base and has removed the irritating foot pedal that played havoc with my shin bone with a simple lever on the center console. Start, stop, set parking brake within inches of each function. The prestige styling is to my likingand performance with the 3.2L engine has exceeded my expectations in both power and mileage. My entire music library is available by simply cable connecting my ipod in the glove box simple lead thru on the cars 7" screen.

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  Heartache/headache - 2004 Audi A8
  By heyjude5 - April 18 - 11:51 am

  This car is so comfortable we call it the sofa. It has,however, been a maintenance nightmare. It is constantly in the shop and dealers in northern California uniformly provide lousy but expensive service. When the heater failed while in Minnesota on a winter trip, the dealer groaned when he saw it was a 2004. Nothing but headaches, he told me. Tons of electrical problems to start with, then the list gets mechanical.

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  Fun car, but build quality needs improvement - 2011 Audi A4
  By audis4driver - April 16 - 9:05 am

  This is my first Audi, and in general I am impressed. Its a fun car to drive. The gas mileage is outstanding, while the engine is responsive. I think it is one of the better looking cars inside and out in the segment. However, Audi really needs to step up their build quality. I do a lot of driving and rack up miles quickly. Right now I have 15,000 miles on the car and there are rattles everywhere. Most recently on the side of the dash by the drivers side door a piece of plastic came lose. I was told by my dealer that integrity issues are only covered up to 12,000 miles, and they wouldnt fix it under warranty. Really disappointing and a good way to kill a customer relationship.

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  Very Sexy Car - 2010 Audi S5
  By micash - April 15 - 8:59 pm

  I was a die hard Lexus owner but saw the S5 at the airport and knew I had to have one. It is the sexiest car I have ever seen and people literally turn their heads everywhere I go. I live the Dallas area and have only seen 3 other S5s on the road since I purchased it 8 months ago. The dealership had already added Stasis (something I otherwise would not have paid for but my husband loves it) and the engine roar is unbelievable. Coming from a very quiet Lexus, the engine noise seemed a little loud at first but now I dont even hear it anymore. Im a fairly aggressive driver and absolutely love the handling and overall maneuverability of this car.

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  Excellent Value! - 2011 Audi A5
  By mps_ - April 12 - 8:52 pm

  Have been driving my A5 for 5 months now and I still love it. It has decent engine power, although I would not classify it as sports car class. The handling on the other handling is excellent and extremely confident in the corners at speed. My car get 34mpg on the highway as well! I dont think there is a car on the road that is this efficient, fun to drive, and great looking. If you are looking for real sports car acceleration go for the S5.

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  Awesome Audi S4 - 2011 Audi S4
  By car510 - April 9 - 2:36 pm

  This Audi S4 is now my 10th car, and it exceeds all my expectations. Over the years, Ive had a BMW 325, 328, 335, and a Lexus IS 350. The Audi S4 exterior is beautiful, the interior is gorgeous, and the drive is outstanding. I love having a manual transmission, and the Audi Drive Select takes driving to a different level. Even the base stereo system is pretty good. Im not an audiophile, so I was concerned about not getting the B&O system but I have no regrets. Its loud, its crisp, theres an amplifier, a subwoofer, tweeters, speakers, and it gets the job done.

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  Understated sports/lux sedan - 2010 Audi A4
  By 95814 - April 8 - 10:38 am

  I feel that the A4 slots nicely between the soft C-Class and business-like 3-Series and provides the driver with a nice balance between luxury and performance. I replaced my A3 with a 2.0T quattro Premium Plus with the sport package because I love this engine. Some people may turn their noses up at a four-banger but theres plenty of torque to merge onto the freeway and to pass, with decent mileage to boot. Ive never been in a situation where I said, "Boy I wish I had a six." The quattro tracks very well through corners with just a slight, but predictable amount of understeer. It rains a fair amount in the winter where I live and having AWD is a nice safety feature.