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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  Nearly 4 years in... - 2006 Audi A3
  By AW - January 4 - 9:48 am

  ... and just passed 65,000 miles. Still love driving the car. Clutch still good. So far, failures are: a/c compressor, turbo valve, psgr lock button and radiator gave way at 52,000 miles the last one really got me bent cause the car was just out of warranty. Now have check engine light on, but car is running fine. Coded as fuel cap leak, so not worried. Car is on third set of tires. Original pirellis VERY noisy when worn, got zeons then yokahamas. Zeons good but wore out in about 5 minutes, yokahamas are a good compromise.

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  10.5 years with that 100cs Quattro - 1994 Audi 100
  By Humberto - January 3 - 4:40 pm

  Very good car, best car ever for Montreal winter driving, expensive to maintain if not followed closely, low foot print for used parts.

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  Great Car - 2002 Audi A4
  By flyboy - January 3 - 3:32 pm

  I get up to 36 mpg on the Interstate at 70, average 27 total including around town, uses no oil between 5000 mile changes, BE SURE to use synthetic and change it as the turbo is hard on oil, change the CVT every 50K, everything works like brand new on this car, no wind leaks, no rattles, no rust, no squeaks. Change the timing belt every 100K, brakes last 50K plus, has original shocks and they are still good.

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  Awesome - 2010 Audi Q5
  By Northern VA Driver - January 2 - 8:07 pm

  I purchased this vehicle a week ago. The driving experience has far exceeded expectations. The AWD keeps it glued to the road and the acceleration is very good. Acceleration from 0 to 20 MPH is not fast, but after 40 MPH, acceleration is sports car like. This is my first SUV and I was concerned about driving fun. However, the high up seating position affords excellent visibility, the Q5 handles like a car and it is an overall fun ride. I compared this to the RDX, XC60, RX350 and am very satisfied. The Q5 is a luxury SUV/car, that is just the right size. The Audi cockpit and attention to detail cant be beat. Also, the Q5 has plenty of room for the wife and kids.

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  Just got a 10 - 2010 Audi A5
  By mcscjt - January 2 - 3:16 pm

  Beautiful car inside and out. Many heads turning to catch a glimpse. Love the sport rims and tires. Very sturdy and smooth. V6 has good power and torque. Quiet cabin. Lots of trunk space. Comfortable sport seats.

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  Almost perfect - 2010 Audi S4
  By MDT - January 2 - 8:58 am

  A drivers car with addictive torque - Dont test drive unless youre ready to write a check. The handling is crisp with little body roll. This vehicle has 2 personalities, one that allows the comfort, space, and utility to be my daily driver and a second that has power, handling, and an unbelievable sense of connection to the road...its almost perfect.

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  Audi has created a perfect engine: 2.0T - 2006 Audi A4
  By Scott Nelson Sturman - December 30 - 4:06 pm

  I swore to myself---after I graduated from college---that Id never own another 4-cylinder car. I was driving my second Volvo, an S80 T6 when I ordered my 2005.5 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro Sedan 6-speed. I did it because I worked for the Audi dealership at the time, and had grown tired of getting stuck in the snow with the Volvo (even with snow tires). I can honestly say that I have never loved a car as much as my new Audi. It is so much fun to drive... a 10 minute drive to the store ends up taking 40 minutes, as I have to sample every winding road in my new car. This car is a lease, so Ill have to be careful to not go over my mileage. Speaking of... I am getting almost 35 MPG highway/28 MPG city.

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  Great Car - 1998 Audi A6
  By Great Car - December 29 - 5:55 pm

  I love this car! That said it takes a lot of money to keep it well feed and healthy. I bought it at a charity auction (Never buy from one, trust me). The car was low miles and a great price. Two months later the transmission went out and cost over 3k to fix. Once she was up and running again, its been great.

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  great car for the money - 2005 Audi A4
  By Mike Burman - December 27 - 8:03 pm

  I bought this car with the premium package and 17" wheels. The car drives like it is on rails. I also have the cold weather package it makes life a lot happier on long drives and cold days.The quality of this car is better than any car I have ever owned and I have owned my fare share of them. Do not be scared off by the bad reviews this car is well built, like I said I have owned many cars and some of them had many problems too. The power of the 1.8t is fun enough to get you into trouble with the police but the bottom end could use more oomph. Over all a very well made fun to drive car.

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  3rd audi - 2009 Audi A3
  By jeff - December 26 - 9:47 pm

  Went to my local dealer and drove a 2009 A3 2.0 quattro with bluetooth, open sky, and satellite radio. Even though I thought I wanted a manual again I got such a good deal plus really wanting quattro I bought the 09. The DSG transmission is growing on me. I have always maintained my Audis and never had any reliability issues other than normal wear and tear items. The A3 is well built and is versatile. It is a perfect car for running errands in town but also does well on longer trips.