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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  One solid cozy ride!!! - 2002 Audi A4
  By VulgarA4 - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Aluminum trim awesome!!!

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  Awesome All Around - 2002 Audi A4
  By 4Loops - September 3 - 2:00 am

  For this price, cant beat the luxury and build quality. Thought Mercedes C- Class would be better, but A4 topped it hands down. C-Class felt cheap and Bimmer interior not on par though Bimmer has a slight edge in performance. Solid ride, tight turns, ambient red light environment is addictive at night. Everything sounds like an expensive engineering feat. Love this car!!!

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  Unbelievable machine!!! - 2002 Audi A4
  By A4BY4 - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Build quality edges Bimmers, Benzes, and Lexuses. While reliability leaves some to be desired, this may be an improvement with this new model.

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  Audi has done it Right! (Again) - 2018 Audi S5
  By huntster - September 2 - 1:42 am

  The newly redesigned Audi S5 is a absolute blast to drive. Its so good that i traded my 2017 S6 in for it!

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  2003 Audi A-4 cabriolet-close to perfect - 2003 Audi A4
  By Maui Steve - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I chose Audi over BMW mainly because of styling and performance. The BMW has become boring looking to me, and there are too many of them on the road. The Audi has a crisper look and feel. The interior is more luxurious, and the seats are more supportive. The CVT transmission takes some getting used to. It is not as fast off the line as the BMW, but the absence of any noticeable shifting is very luxurious feeling. Side by side, the Audi A-4 just has it all over the BMW. CAUTION: BUY ONLY THE 3.0 V-6. The 1.8 is hopelessly underpowered. BUY THIS CAR. Youll love it!

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  Most Complete Car in Class - 2004 Audi A4
  By jpeter - August 30 - 2:00 am

  After deliberating and driving everything including Acura TL, Infiniti GX, Saab and BMW 5 Series (3 series seemed too small), I concluded this was the best of the bunch and best value for the money. Quality is outstanding, 3.0 engine is smooth and powerful, has great looks and interior is as nice as anything I have seen. Further, where traction is any kind of issue the quattro cant be beat. Really seems to be the best looking yet most practical sports sedan out there right now.

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  Love hate relationship - 2015 Audi A3
  By Natasha - August 29 - 7:02 pm

  I loved my 2015 A3 when I first bought it, but after 9,500 miles I began to have problems. My car would turn over, but it was unable to accelerate. The dealership had my car over two weeks and finally told me there was a defective spring on the cylinder. Once I got the car back the EPC light started coming on and I lose power while trying to accelerate. At other times when I accelerate the car loses power without the EPC light coming on. I took it back to the dealer and Im going on day three with still no answers. I only have 12,000 miles on this car and I shouldnt be having these huge problems. I love the look, comfort and feel of my car. When its running I love it, but I am VERY concerned that i will continue to have problems with the car. On another note you cannot fit normal sized adults in the back seats. Their heads dont fit and there is no leg room. The cup holders in the front are awful and it is very difficult to put large drinks in them without spilling.

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  Love it! - 2006 Audi A4
  By CR - August 26 - 8:00 am

  I test drove the 3.o but couldnt justify the extra 10k for the additonal power. The 1.8 is slow off the line but at about 30 you can feel the turbocharger spin up and it feels like a 6 cyl. The fit and finish are excellent and the Audi offers features that the Volvo, BMW and Saab didnt. Im 62 and it fits like a glove, although it has less leg room in the back than the Volvo. My wife and I (by rights its her car) fight over it everyday... starting to feel like that commercial!

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  Fun & classy...I love it! - 2004 Audi A4
  By ksh - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Best convertible ever! Even strangers stop to compliment its styling and the gas milage is wonderful.

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  A pleasure to drive - 2004 Audi A4
  By jgh - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Car is easy to handle; seats are cimfortable and firm; accelerates well on expressway; Drivers controls are easy reach; I have a problem with the cup holder location, it is limited in the size and height of cups it will hold.