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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  Awesome - 2004 Audi A4
  By HBNEPTUNE - September 22 - 2:00 am

  The A-4 is Simply Awesome! This is my 2nd Audi. I was happy with my 99 as well!

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  Bling Bling! - 2001 Audi A4
  By Slim - September 21 - 10:00 am

  This is my first real car, and I couldnt ask for more. I have a huge grin on my face everytime I see a windy road! This car handles like no other. By handling I dont mean Cadi style, I mean it hugs the road. Quattro confindence is a must for a skier.

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  Audi A6 4.2 rocks - 2005 Audi A6
  By Wanderarnd - September 20 - 3:00 am

  I watched the pictures & video as they appeared on the AudiUSA.com web site. I didnt think the car could look or drive anywhere near what they advertised... I was wrong. Once I saw the new A6, I new I needed to have it! I traded my 02 A6 4.2 for the 05 - Its faster, the interior is amazing, and it handles better than the 02, if you can believe it. The redesign finally puts cup holders where you need them, but they removed the carpeted door pockets, darn.

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  Good - 1998 Audi A4
  By jonas - September 20 - 2:00 am

  The a4 is a great all around car and excellant in the snow but the 1.8T engine is lacking a little though you can easily get that bumped up to 200 or so by a chip. This car has very few flaws but i have had alot of trouble changing out the sound system. Try to find a bose equppied model to save you time. This is a car i would highly recommend

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  Excellent alternative to SUV - 2001 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By plymm - September 16 - 2:00 am

  bought certified pre-owned. Owned car for 6 months now. Very reliable-no mechanical problems. Only issue was getting use to transmission lag-I find there is no turbo lag-the transmission doesnt shift down fast enough (to improve fuel economy) causing lag/hesitation. This issue goes away when you use the tiptronic shifter. I also find the lag gets minimized if you go easy on the gas pedal initially and then lay into it. This also creates a more linear power curve. Been driving it around in NE winter storms. The all wheel drive is capable, but not as sure footed as my Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo in the snow--the Jeep has a slight edge.

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  Best Audi Yet - 2004 Audi A4
  By Houston Driver - September 16 - 2:00 am

  This is my 4th Audi, and they keep getting better! Unlike most convertibles this car rides smooth and quiet; no shakes or rattles, even on Houstons rough roads. The 3.0 V6 has more than enough power for city driving. The car has excellent interior and exterior styling that garners many compliments!

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  A4 Quattro - 1998 Audi A4
  By Eric Peterson - September 10 - 10:00 am

  One of the best handling cars and most fun cars to drive. Good power (but not great), great handling (better after lowering), and adequate comfort. Good mileage, and with all wheel drive is a car that you can take just about anywhere on any road under any conditions. Exceptional brakes, although peddle pressure required is high -- suggest changing to Brembo disks and calipers. Reliability, outside of front suspension parts, is outstanding. After more than 150,000 miles, it still feels and runs like new.

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  If only... - 2001 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By sayitisntsew - September 9 - 4:26 am

  Before 3 of the 4 air suspension bags and air suspension pump failed..the car was fun to drive...there have been so many little things, coupled with the big things- I feel like after 30,000 miles my Audi was nickel and diming me to death...with the air suspension failure (apparently inevitable with this car) IM DONE!....and Im not alone, -google Audi forums- EVERYONE hates the KNOWN failures of this car. Wish I had stayed with my old reliable VOLVO.

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  Love to drive - 2005 Audi A4
  By supereks - September 3 - 11:13 am

  Now in my 4th month, w/o significant problems so far, looking for every excuse to drive it. I grew up in Germany and this car is built for the Autobahn. I cannot imagine a safer car in the New England winter. I dont understand why some call it "underpowered" in a country with such ridiculous speed limits. Why do you need <8.0 seconds for 0-60 if the speed limit is 65 MPH !?!?!

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  Pretty good - 2003 Audi A4
  By ddd888 - August 28 - 2:00 am

  Great handling, plenty of power and fun to drive. Outperforms all BMW 3 series (except M3)and all 5 series (except 540 and M), but what do you want for $20,000 less and no brake dust on your wheels ? Hard to tell Im driving a front wheel drive car. And CVT: I dont even notice it. I feel the prestige I need when driving this car