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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  Wonderful Blend of Performance and Lux. - 2002 Audi A6
  By lliaw - April 7 - 3:00 am

  The 2.7 Turbo is amazing with strong boost coming from way down in the rpm. It is so smooth that I had to constantly look down at the speedometer to prevent speeding tickets. The only complaints I have about the engine is that the sound is a bit mute and lacking a bit of excitement for me while some other might consider it refined. The throttle respond is also a bit strange. Its nice to have 6 gears with sporty handling in a car as large as this. I regret not ordering it without the inexpensive sport package which include sport seats, wheels, steering wheels, and suspension. The standard leather seats are too wide so I tend to slide around during corning.

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  Beauty in Motion - 2002 Audi A6
  By billus - April 6 - 2:00 am

  I stayed up nights deciding on this car, then waiting for it to come in. Ive had it for just over a year now and still enjoy taking the long way home. I love it when it rains and I get to see what quattro can do. The interior is utterly gorgeous, integration between the Nav system, built-in phone and awesome stereo system is flawless. Oh, and dont let the weather get cool...performance goes to another level.

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  I love going topless! - 2003 Audi A4
  By Stefano - April 6 - 2:00 am

  This is the first convertible I have owned and I love it, especially the one button ease of raising and lowering the top. The interior is gorgeous (red leather with black dash, headliner and carpet). The CVT is silky smooth and produces surprisingly good gas mileage for a V-6 engine. The Bose stereo system is terrific. The trunk is very generous for a convertible. The back seat is roomy. It can seat two people comfortably. I love the cars exterior - it is truly beautiful.

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  Audi A4 1,8T 5A - 2004 Audi A4
  By Paperman - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Overall I am very satisfied with the car. Biggest complaint is turbo lag which can get very annoying at times. Mileage is never near 30mpg per tank; my 2000 Passat (5-speed) never got less than 30 mpg and as much as 4

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  Almost perfect.... - 2002 Audi A6
  By Arrt - April 5 - 2:00 am

  Excellent value, smooth ride and well appointed interior. Luxurious in an understated way.

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  A6 2.7T - 2002 Audi A6
  By Jrappap - April 4 - 2:00 am

  Purchased to replace large SUV. Have not had auto in bad weather. Seems a little heavy handling in regular daily driving when compared to me BMW 330. Very comfortable on the highway.

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  Concerns about vibrations - 2006 Audi A4
  By cppat - April 3 - 3:40 am

  Vibration concerns. The car noticably vibrates when placed in gear but not when in Park or Neutral. Tiptronic is fabulous, who needs a manual transmission!

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  Why would anyone not want this car - 1998 Audi A6
  By squasher - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Great car for the money

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  This is the one - 2002 Audi A6
  By NB - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Lokked at Bmrs, lexus and infinity. Nothing came close in ride, handling and power. This is the big boys toy.

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  An over-rated Audi - 2002 Audi S4
  By Bob Haworth - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Audi should never even offer an automatic transmission in a car like this...even the Tiptronic. Aside from being "clunky," after 8,000 miles mine has been in the shop going on 3 weeks because it will no longer shift gears! The right rear brake make an ear shattering squeal and they cant seem to fix that either. The brakes are awful on the smallest amount of ice or snow. There is an unacceptable number of squeaks, rattles and buzzes inside. And, even though a small point, two of the cup holders are underneath the armrest...very handy! I guess Germans dont drink and drive. For the price, extreme disappointment is all I can say about this vehicle.