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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  A3 TDI review - Edmonds doesnt offer option - 2011 Audi A3
  By civil westman - November 25 - 10:44 pm

  What a disappointment! OK for 21/2 years 15K miles, then problems began. 18 months of a slow coolant leak which dealer could not find. Had to keep a gallon of coolant with me at all times. Finally, after warranty expired, the dealer replaced the water pump to cure the problem. Wanted to charge me for it. After pointing out that it had been in three times over the past 18 months, they decided it was under warranty. Now with 55K miles, the waste gate regulation valve on the turbo has failed, along with a pressure line to the turbo (I previously owned a Jetta TDI, given to my son, whose turbo failed at 46K miles - this failure occurred after I had bought the Audi). So far, up to about $1500 in repairs on a car with has lost 20% of its value due to the emissions shenanigans. I am waiting to see if Audi will offer to buy it back. A recent court settlement calls for them to buy back the older TDIs on the road and "repair" (read destroy the good mileage) the newer ones. Needless to say, THIS IS MY LAST VW/AUDI PRODUCT.

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  Simply Outstanding! - 2009 Audi A4
  By SmokEater - November 24 - 4:36 pm

  I purchased my 2009 A4 Quattro with Premium Plus less then one month ago and I simply cant stop driving this vehicle. Its fun to drive. Turns heads (Daytime Running lights). Simply looks great! Awesome build quality. That is just the start of the reason I love this vehicle. As usual the folks from Audi have done an outstanding job of designing and building this vehicle. The tolerances are very tight, the materials are high quality, and overall design theme is stunning. Ive never really been excited about a vehicle until this car!

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  Snow Snow Snow - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By ctbass - November 21 - 2:00 am

  I just survived the Denver blizzard of 2003. I had to drive in a foot and half of wet, heavy snow. I raised the suspension to the top and drove throught the crud with ease. As I passed the abandoned suburbans and jeeps I asked myself, "Where are the cameras? What a commercial for Audi this would be!!!"

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  Love my Audi! - 2016 Audi Q5
  By sonia o - November 19 - 3:36 am

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  This car rocks!!! - 2006 Audi A3
  By Washington Egas - November 12 - 12:43 am

  I was in the market for an SUV and when I saw the gas mileage you get on those things I started to look for something different and came across this beauty. The handling is amazing, the drive, the features I got my with the GPS and of course the gas mileage is better than I expect, plus every one turns their heads when they see it.

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  new audi enthusiast in pa. - 2004 Audi A4
  By bg1234 - November 10 - 10:00 am

  after 4 years with a 320clk the quality is outstanding,I have owned a bmw 325 and a nissan 280z and have never felt so satisfied while driving! What a car, I cant say enough about this car .............just drive it!

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  Avants are great...Audi must bring the S4/RS4! - 2006 Audi A4
  By Rich Martin - November 5 - 6:34 am

  Well designed, comfortable, back seat in the older models not as space efficient as it should be for legroom.

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  incredible car - 2004 Audi A4
  By ststewart - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I was really surprised how fun the A4 is to drive. I had owned a 1999 A6 Quatro 2.8L before I bought the A4. I thought the A4 would be less car, when in fact it turned out to be more. I love everything about this car. It sounds great handles well and is really fun to drive. It is my favorite car I have ever owned.

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  Simply Unmatched - 2001 Audi A4
  By Chandra - November 2 - 10:00 am

  The car is far superior to BMW 3-series cars. It is a masterpiece of German engineering. The car scores far better on power,performance,reliability and ofcourse price.

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  CVT - 2002 Audi A4
  By gearless - November 2 - 10:00 am

  Ive always wanted an automatic that performs like a manual, maximizes gas like a manual, drives smooth like a manual without having to shift! Well, this CVT has it. 0-60 and mpg equal that of the manual and I have two hands to drive.