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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  Great FUN - 2002 Audi TT
  By tajam - June 5 - 2:00 am

  great car with great looks! i really enjoy to drive her, not just on sunny days (even during wintertime in switzerland)! after 6 months still cant get my eyes off her! best buy so far!

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  Excellent sedan - 2006 Audi A4
  By Nunya Bidness - June 4 - 10:40 pm

  Car has plenty of speed and pickup for a small engine due to the turbo. Handles well and provides a very comfortable ride. Smooth shifting and excellent braking. Interior is clean but dont choose the brushed aluminum; it sometimes reflects sunlight right into the eyes of the driver. A little narrow inside and wouldnt do well for very large drivers. Trunk space is adequate. Plenty of extras to go around. The new navigation system is fantastic with an incredibly good interface. Location of Nav DVD is behind the LCD instead of trunk. Changer is in glovebox, very easy to access. There are two smart card slots (wish it played more than just mp3s, maybe audiobooks as well). Fantastic value.

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  Always In The Shop - 1992 Audi 100
  By out_of_patience - June 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car 3 years ago with 112000 miles on it and have put 50000 miles on it since. It gets great gas mileage (up to 35 on the highway - 29 mpg in typical hwy/city driving)and is still one of the most beautiful cars on the road. I thought the car was a steal at $9000, but...since owning it I have put over $13000 in repairs. It breaks down about 2-3 times per year.

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  The Wifes Car - 2002 Audi S4
  By TMF - June 3 - 2:00 am

  After renting an A4 on vacation and being rather impressed, decided to look into an S4 when buying a new car. We suddenly became VERY impressed. The car is more than capable for the average driver and offers great performance for those who desire it. You would spend twice the money for a Porsche that has like features. A Suburu WRX is cheaper but then again its a Subaru!

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  Small problems drive me crazy! - 1999 Audi A6
  By Push-pole - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Great ride...but spent too much time in the shop...never had the parts...always took at least two trips to dealer: Window track broken - 3 trips Broke lock and messed up leather during repair - two more trips. Cruise control intermitant - never fixed. Cover on door storage would not shut - two trips. Air bag warning light on - 4 trips (last one took a week). Vacume line faulty - 1 trip. (surprise) Never any problems with the engine or drive train. Loaded with gadgets. Good looking. (I have a friend who bought one at the same time as I did and has had little or no problems with his and loves it.)

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  Understated Performance - 2002 Audi S4
  By AV8R - June 1 - 2:00 am

  This car is a sleeper. It performs excellent under any road condition, whether it is dry, wet, or frozen. Acceleration and torque are outstanding even in stock form. Definately get a better bang for your buck with an Audi S4 vice a BMW 3 series. When you add comparable options (cold weather, sport, etc.) on the 3 series you a) pay more, and b) have a lower quality car. One look at the interior and exterior trim quality of the S4 will make you realize this.

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  Unbelievable Quality & Workmanship - 2000 Audi TT
  By Jay1 - May 31 - 2:00 am

  Purchased car new in Feb 2000 and have put 26k miles on it since. I drive this car HARD and have had ZERO problems and no rattles or loose pieces. The car is assembled flawlessly with very high quality materials.

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  Finest All-around Vehicle On the Planet - 2002 Audi S6
  By Finman - May 31 - 2:00 am

  Power is awesome, v aggressive esp in sport mode with a perfect growl from the engine/exhaust. Trannys v.smooth, little slow in normal mode, much crisper/quicker in sport mode. Very easy to elicit desired downshifts. Handling: light and nimble, surprising for 4k lbs. Better than S4 Avant. Suspension is very comfortable in everyday driving. Flat and firm when driven with vigor. Virtually zero body roll, pitch, or dive. Very accurate, sltly overboosted low-speed steering, perfect at high-speeds. Interior: flawless, Alcantara is very nice and grippy. Typical perfect Audi. Exterior style, especially in Amulet or Black is amazing...very muscular...

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  The way to build all cars - 2007 Audi A8
  By Aleksandar Blagojevic - May 30 - 8:54 pm

  I had many VW products but Audi A8 is buy far the very best they made. I got mine with 55k andnowisat95k. Only maintain that I have done is brakes ,oil and battery but if anything else needed I would do as well. This car elevates the expiriance of driving and is a bond of class taste and karizma topped of with talent. And then there is a Quattro ..... LOVE IT

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  Fun to drive car - 1998 Audi A6
  By x-cpwrguy-99 - May 30 - 2:00 am

  A great car, fun to drive, quattro in Wisconsin is wonderful. No problems in the year i have owned it. Starts out in the snow as if the pavement was dry. Buy one you will love it.