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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  This is the only Bavarian - 2002 Audi A6
  By GA - September 23 - 2:00 am

  Have 58,000 miles on my 2000 A6 4.2. Absoutely wonderful car. Wonderful interior, beautiful lines that still get looks. And gets the last word in most roadway encounters. Think so highly of this car that I bought the extended warranty at 45,000 miles. Thought about something different for a while: The problem is, after test driving the new E-500, the 5 and the new 7-series, I just dont know what all the fuss is about. Looks like I will be buying another A6.

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  Audi A4 - 1998 Audi A4
  By Audi Fan - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Great value. Exceptional exterior and interior styling. Superb handling with adequate performance. Reliability not in keeping with design and technology.

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  A6 2.7T 6 speed - 2001 Audi A6
  By saaber - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Sport suspension option makes this car an excellent daily driver. The power of the bi-turbo engine and 6 speed transmission are an excellent combo. Quattro is great in the snow and for getting the power and torque of the engine to the road.

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  My 1.8T Quattro Review - 2002 Audi A4
  By MikeW - September 22 - 10:00 am

  The car has awesome handling, looks great, and superb build quality. You get a lot more for your money with the A4 compared to the BMW 3 series. Before test driving I was actually leaning toward a 3 series, but all it took was a test drive and seeing the A4 next to the Bimmer to sway me toward the Audi. Actually after the test drive, I didnt even consider the BMW again.

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  Reliability and Maintenance are Problems - 1996 Audi A4
  By JuliusG - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Its true -- after the initial warranty comes off, things start going wrong! I have sunk over $7k in this car since 1998. I was going to give it to my daughter. No way Ill do that no. Car is good looking and drives great but I have lost confidence in Audi reliability. Wasnt that their problem in the 80s? CV boot, air bag, rack and oinion steering, engine seals, body parts, and now the air conditioning! Even "normal maintenance" is expensive - over $700 for brake pads, etc. Dealer labor is expensive. Forgetaboutit! Buy Japanese. German is prestigeous and snobby but expensive and finicky all around. Kind of like paying to be snobbish.

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  Best car ever! - 2001 Audi TT
  By Danny P - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Excellent performance, great acceleration, braking and handling. The craftsmanship is excellent and there are no creaks or glitches of any kind. The cupholder fits a 12 oz. cup without a problem. I am 57", 160 lb. and fit in the car like it was made for me. If you need a back seat, get a sedan. The seat is mainly there to reduce insurance cost, but if you fold it down you can fit quite a bit of luggage. Ingress and egress are as easy as expected for a sports car.

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  Shhhh...Great Car - 1999 Audi A4
  By architect - September 20 - 2:00 am

  This is a great handling car! Ya really do look at curvy roads and smile just like a commercial. Passing acceleration is a delight. Sometimes ya just pass because it’s fun! Fit and finish are typical German solid. Bose radio is fantastic. Sounds great at any volume, weather it’s heavy metal or smooth jazz. I love the little things that car salesmen never talk about like windshield wipers that slow down when the car does. You’re going to love this car a little more every time you drive it.

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  happy driver - 2002 Audi TT
  By rip - September 20 - 2:00 am

  a great car, it is the practical sports car, fun to drive, great in bad wheather and can carry golf clubs or skies

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  Overrated and overpriced - 2003 Audi S6
  By motoole - September 19 - 2:00 am

  I have driven this car for 3000 miles and I am totally disappointed. WHile there are many admirable features, it does not display the power/style differences over other models to justify the extra cost. I am already looking to sell this vehicle.

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  Awesome, Awesome, Awesome - 2004 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Dan - September 18 - 12:30 pm

  I bought the Audi All Road for my wife. I got the 4.2 engine for me. Hauls the family, all our gear, and it hauls fast! Beautiful with the solid body Black. Many looks driving this around.