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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  Big FAT Tall Guy - 2002 Audi TT
  By Hoopoer - March 13 - 4:58 pm

  TT is 15 months old and I love driving it. The best part -- looks & comments from people -- -- "It is a beautiful car"! HOW MUCH I am 6 2 " talk and a big man and I fit into this car very well. Seats are comfortable. It handles well on the road, and on the interstate -- it is a dream. Trunk space is better than all of the other cars in its class. We do all of our shopping in this car and I have never had a problem fitting anything in the hatchback area. This was a big selling point for me. It has more room than all Z3s, boxsters, and hondas etc. It is fun and it does the job and it looks good. Most of all it makes you feel good.

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  What a car! - 1999 Audi A8
  By bob franks - March 13 - 2:00 am

  This car is a great car in every way. There is not a bit or wind or road noise at speeds of 75+ mph. Also the engine is very powerful and quiet. This car can handle better than cars that are much smaller and feels no larger than the A6 on the road.

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  3 Years of Bliss - 2000 Audi S4
  By STurn - March 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought my S4 new, sight unseen. The very first time I drove it I was struck by how smooth the car felt. The shifting, the steering, the HVAC and radio controls and the ride, everything felt smooth, well controled, solid. It is still a superior automobile with few flaws. The car tends to understeer at the limit (which is very high), the shifter has a very smooth solid action but feels vague shifting to 2nd and 3rd. The backseat lacks legroom for tall passengers. Overall though this car is excellent, easily superior to the BMW M3 is terms of overall performance driving to and from work. But if you do track events...

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  After 2 Miatas - 2002 Audi TT
  By mako57 - March 12 - 5:20 pm

  Im finally having as much fun on I95 as on the back roads of Cape Cod. In NYC, I have to nurse the accelerator to avoid rocketing up the turbo power curve (not to mention living in dread at what the pot holes might do to the low profile tires). Otherwise, its fun, fun, fun.

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  Police makes driving less enjoyable - 2001 Audi S4
  By C Murder - March 12 - 2:11 am

  The car is all the more fun to drive at night. It owns the road with a force but yet provides an element of safety. The command of the car allow for speeding in a safe way. I see the enormous rush to purchase a SUV but I those things are a drag to drive and unsafe when it comes to quick responses. Gas mileage is poor and is the only buyers remorse I have.

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  Good so far... - 1999 Audi A6
  By KenN - March 11 - 9:10 pm

  So far, so good. Just purchased the 1999 A6 after a lot of research, and many test drives. Also seriously considered 5-series, C-Class MB, ES300. The A6 got the nod bc of the balance of comfort & performance. Interior room & comforts is very good, and shifts smoothly bw gears. Handles curves real nice - inspires confidence. Fun to drive for a entry-level luxury vehicle. Only complaint is the poor gas mileage. Some do not like the exterior styling - its a love it or hate it thing.

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  expensive out of warranty - 1992 Audi 100
  By doctorrocket9 - March 8 - 11:30 pm

  This was a wonderful car while under warranty. At 55000 mi, it needed a head gasket, paid for by Audi. At 65000 mi, it needed a new automatic transmission which Audi wouldnt cover, so I traded the car in. During the warranty period the car had endless problems, but since the dealer was near work, and drove me there I didnt mind the fact that the car was always in the shop. I did mind that the car was so poorly built.

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  The S4 Rocks! - 2002 Audi S4
  By LV - March 8 - 10:48 pm

  This is a great car. The Editors Rating(of 7.4) simply makes no sense. It looks good, is very fast, and extremely practical. Can you take 4 people across the country? No, but you can take 4 out to dinner. The interior is beautiful. My only complaints are: headroom (I have a tall torso), and the (6sp)shifter is a little notchy.

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  A8 - 1999 Audi A8
  By ejmach - March 8 - 11:19 am

  Fun to drive, great acceleration, handling, great looking

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  EPA Mileage is way off! - 2005 Audi A4
  By Paul in Conn - March 7 - 6:10 pm

  We had a 98 A4 prior to this one and I think I like that one better. This car is very stylish and has a classy interior. To me, it feels like a $50,000 car. Real solid. However, I cant stand the center console. Its positioned so that my leg room is restricted and makes driving almost a miserable experience. I thought I can get over it but so far with 1,100 miles, I hate it. Way to uncomfortable. Gas mileage is horrible. My other Audi was incredible with MPG but this one is worse than a SUV. Seriously. Its very disappointing. Im taking it to the dealer soon but Audi has never been famous for their customer service. LEASE these cars only and give them back before the warranty expires!