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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  Better than the dealers can deal with - 1997 Audi A8
  By cleverland - April 10 - 2:00 am

  This car is incredible. No end to the smooth power, the transmission is very efficient, handling is awesome. My main point in this review is to let the readers know that the 97 model does need to have its atf fluid and filter changed at 45000 miles, per the manual. That transmission oil and filter change is skipped by many dealers, as the later a8 transmissions dont call for it. It makes a huge difference in the smoothness and performance of the transmission, and probably the transmissions life. Its living history, somday to share the pantheon with the Jaguar 120 and the likes of the Cobra.

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  Fast, Safe, Reliable. - 1994 Audi 90
  By Mitch123q234 - April 9 - 2:00 am

  Peppy V6, a great safety rating, and legendary German engineering make this a great car to drive. Have had mine for 1.5 years and I have really enjoyed the ride.

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  Smooth but not powerful - 1998 Audi A6
  By Jake C. - April 9 - 2:00 am

  So far the car has been very reliable. I enjoy the smoooth ride but it could use a little more power. Bose sound system is great! Large trunk.

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  Not a bad car - 1996 Audi A4
  By dro - April 9 - 2:00 am

  The overall has and still is very dependable. There have been no costly or major defects in the 6 years I have had the car.

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  fast luxary - 2002 Audi S8
  By TacomaGuy - April 9 - 2:00 am

  this is one fast full size huge luxary car

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  2001 Audi S4 - 2001 Audi S4
  By krisko - April 9 - 2:00 am

  This is a very special and unique car to own. It is a Porsche fighter without a doubt, yet rather stealty and you can bring friends along. It is the biggest German bang for the buck. The cars that are comparable (M3, CLK55, C32) start at $10,000 more and go up rapidly from there. It is quick in a straight line, yet very comfortable and compliant.

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  An honest feedback. - 2017 Audi Q7
  By Paul - April 8 - 10:43 am

  Head up display optics produce glares which at times can be very distracting. They can be small i.e. two bright points or it can appear as two bright lines, or (pretty bad) large and very bright, and rather large (size of a credit card) spot. If you live in California or any other place with plenty of sun, test drive the car in the middle of the day and make sure you can live with this issue. This alone can be a road block. Side mirrors produce a high pitch noise. Turn off the radio while test driving and listen carefully to the mirrors. In windy days it can be very obvious and annoying. Driver assistance system is far worse than the one you can find on a brand new Volvo XC 90. It is confirmed by IIHS. Test drive both cars and you will see what I mean. Major concerns on quality of the materials used. This may not be a perfect option for demanding person paying attention to details.

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  An honest feedback. - 2017 Audi Q7
  By Paul - April 8 - 10:18 am

  Head up display optics produce glares which at times can be very distracting. They can be small i.e. two bright points or it can appear as two bright lines, or (pretty bad) large and very bright, and rather large (size of a credit card) spot. If you live in California or any other place with plenty of sun, test drive the car in the middle of the day and make sure you can live with this issue. This alone can be a road block. Side mirrors produce a high pitch noise. Turn off the radio while test driving and listen carefully to the mirrors. In windy days it can be very obvious and annoying. Driver assistance system is far worse than the one you can find on a brand new Volvo XC 90. It is confirmed by IIHS. Test drive both cars and you will see what I mean. Major concerns on quality of the materials used. This may not be a perfect option for demanding person paying attention to details.

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  Practicle fun - 2002 Audi TT
  By luis35763 - April 8 - 2:00 am

  Great ride. Excellent value.

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  Excelent - 2002 Audi TT
  By Philip Stewart - April 8 - 2:00 am

  Good Car Buy it