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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  Will buy another one - 1997 Audi A8
  By goldened/Ed Williams - March 5 - 3:51 pm

  The best car I have ever owned, including all of the luxury (production) models

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  Excellent Car - 1997 Audi A4
  By mj - March 5 - 2:20 pm

  This has been an excellent car for us. My wife loves to drive it and feels very, very safe in it. Very fun to drive in the snow too! We have had no major problems with it and have put 140,000 miles on it. The igntion switch went bad, but that was covered by Audi. We originally used Oasis as our Repair shop in Redding, CA, but now use University Audi in Seattle, WA. Both shops know the and fix the cars well.

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  GET THE EXTENDED WARRANTY! - 1997 Audi A4
  By Brennan - March 5 - 11:16 am

  Do not plan to own this car without a warranty! In the four years Ive had it, Ive had to replace: radio x3, ignition switch X2, starter X2, water pump, clutch master cylinder and numerous pieces of interior trim that cant seem to hold onto their paint. I cant buy another Audi, though I love the look and feel of this car. Save yourself before its too late.

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  What I think of the 2000 Audi A4 2.8 Qua - 2000 Audi A4
  By MickeyFinn - March 5 - 2:33 am

  Automatic Transmission shifting erratic and could be dangerous as the vehicle dies when accelerating from 10 MPH to road speed. Dealer claims thats the way it is............. Snow falls into the trunk when the trunk is opened with snow on the back window and deck...

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  Im taking the long way home... - 2006 Audi A3
  By 8-Track - March 5 - 1:53 am

  Base trim. This is a great ride. Power always ready to go. DSG has best automatic program ever. Superb brakes. Real-world space for adults. Sticks to road like quattro. Superior fit and finish. Top-quality plastics and cloth. Nits: Watch the throttle in traffic. Power can come in a rush, you’re on the bumper of the car in front in no time. Body lean adds thrilling feel of danger in cornering. Low seat, roof, small glass = closed-in feeling. Boxy sounding stereo, radio reception among the worst. Fussy HVAC system if you want manual control. Shallow ‘trunk, seats dont go flat. Surprising drivetrain and tire noise. Manual seat controls are pure 80’s econobox, laughable here.

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  Best performance car for the $$$ - 1992 Audi S4
  By Tim Miller - March 4 - 6:17 pm

  I bought the car from a private party in Chicago and drove it back to Denver in 1996. the car had 42,000 miles at the time and now has 110,000. I have had very few problems with the car and the power/acceleration is outstanding. Values hold well on these cars due to the rarity of them, especially the 1992.

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  Most underrated car - 2002 Audi S4
  By Chorbez - March 4 - 5:33 pm

  Most underrated, well rounded vehicle. Fast (5.5 sec 0-60 14.1 sec quarter mile), handles like a snowmobile on snow, fun and safe all-weather machine yet can be quiet and luxurious around town, full of amenities at a reasonable price. The S4 is also the easiest car in the market to upgrade significantly. For a mere $500-600, the turbos can be reprogrammed to a safe 1 bar configuration by chip to produce 370+ lbs/sq ft of torque that will leave M3s in the dust, without compromising the engine.

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  Undercover rocket. - 2002 Audi S6
  By MikeSS6 - March 4 - 5:22 pm

  This has been a fully satisfying vehicle. Since I picked it up, every time I drive it, I enjoy the experience. I only have a 2 mile each way commute for work, yet I find myself looking for opportunities to "go and get groceries" or really any excuse to drive somewhere, anywhere. A very firm yet comfortable car which generally doesnt arouse the constables. Those who know what the "S" badges front and rear mean are the ones who appreciate this fine automobile.

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  Nice - 1996 Audi A4
  By Skyline32185 - March 4 - 1:53 pm

  I think that this car has great pick up and is all around good.

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 2000 Audi A4
  By DavidCX - March 4 - 1:45 pm

  Ive had this car for almost 2 years now and I still love it. When I was looking at cars, it was between this and the newly released BMW 323 wagon. Even though the Bimmer had a lower base MSRP, when you added all the features to get it close to the Audi, it ended up costing more. Plus, the Audi has AWD and a nicer interior. Audis have, hands down, the nicest interiors around. Unless you are into modifying cars, get the V6 with the leather interior.