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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  GREAT Automobile!!! - 2002 Audi A4
  By Quattro - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Having traded up from a 1993 Saturn, I am in heaven. This is my first Audi and I have had a great experience all around. The salespeople were great, the car is beyond compare, and the value for the money is unbeatable.

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  Audi A4 - 2002 Audi A4
  By Black On Black - January 27 - 10:00 am

  CVT is the best out there.

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  Audi A4 - 2002 Audi A4
  By compian - January 27 - 10:00 am

  The sport package rims are absolutely awesome looking!

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  NAVIGATION SUCKS EVEN MORE WITH USE - 2017 Audi Q7
  By Patrick OConnor - January 25 - 2:01 pm

  The navigation system is poor and confusing. You have to manually change state location even if have driven there. The electronic handbrake can be activated while car is in gear - very dangerous. Map/ Navigation systems poorly described. Manual describes all options, not what is available in that vehicle - very confusing. After 6 months, the confusion between map and navigation systems remains a major, stupid problem.

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  Definite Head-turner - 2015 Audi S4
  By Dave - January 25 - 12:10 pm

  Bought the 2015 as new in early 2016. Very impressed. Although technology package is lacking with poor interface and lack of USB port, the Bang and Olufsen (sp?) system is amazing. The radio can be played very loud and sound crisp and full in the cabin, yet is not noticed by outsiders. The "muscle" of the car is best noted when hitting the gas at 60 mph and accelerating afterward. The cars curb appeal is very impressive as many people stop to gaze...

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  Amazing ride - 2017 Audi Q7
  By pritesh Shah - January 23 - 2:19 pm

  I have to say that the 2017 Q7 premium plus is a great ride. I am really impressed with the virtual cockpit integration. It was a great buy.

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  ricks review - 2002 Audi A4
  By ricky - January 23 - 6:03 am

  i recently purchased a 2002 1.8 T A4 quattro and the car is over all solid! transmission is smooth as silk and has semi comperable steering to 3 series BMW (with sports package). the only thing this car lacks it pick up 0 - 60 in 7.2 is a little week but the car is much less then other cars that can pull better acceleration times.. im sure the 3.0 can hold its own though. but ihavent driven it yet.

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  awesome experience - 2003 Audi A4
  By illagekim - January 22 - 2:00 am

  Most fun you can have with your clothes on. Incredible ride. Joy to drive!! Better than BMW, Mercedes, etc. Incredible value.

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  A Stylish Rocket! - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Mr Fussy! - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Have had the allroad about 4 months now. So far so good! Great styling, performance, handling and stopping power. Suspension a bit bouncy on rough surfaces, but manageable. Seems to be built like a Swiss watch, fit and finish is outstanding. Anxious to see how it does in snow (live in Colorado). A real blast to drive in the mountains, it really flies up the passes. Suspect it will not do as well in snow as my Subaru Outback, however, tires on Audi are very wide. Turbo lag a definite annoyance.

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  2106 Audi SQ5 - 2016 Audi SQ5
  By Steve Mance - January 19 - 5:04 pm

  Love this car so far.