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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  good - 2004 Audi A4
  By Airmirage - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Teh car handles great and has just enough power when you need it.

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  Buy it, but not an S4 - 2004 Audi A4
  By adiqua - July 31 - 10:00 am

  chip it = love it

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  I LOVE MY CAR! - 2004 Audi A4
  By only-red - July 25 - 10:00 am

  when the top is up you have blind spots backing up. really should have auto head lamps,for the price. the car mats are really cheap for the price of the car.

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  Vastly Underrated! - 2006 Audi A4
  By Dimm - July 24 - 12:30 pm

  This car is underrated, even by myself! I always loved audis but never seriously considered getting one. This is my first one and boy is it fun! I have the Sunroof package and Premium package. The price is just right, the amenities are perfect, for 35k you simply cannot do better. They say its 7.1secs/0-60mph, but I would think its definitely in the high 6s. Its fast, extremely fun and sexy looking, thats the bottom line!

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  99 Problems but a Hörch ain’t one - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By penwolf - July 19 - 1:18 am

  I killed my Audi today. After almost four years of Allroad ownership I should be qualified to write a thoughtful and informative review of my experience. Alas, I’ve spent more time in and out of cheap rented harlots; Nissan Sentras, Chrysler PTs, Toyota Camrys, KIA Optimas and Chevy Cobalts, while my Audi slept in greasy mechanics shops with her claws on my credit card. If you like money in your pocket, don’t buy this Audi. If you like to drive your own car, don’t buy this Audi. If you, like me, are a masochist, hell-bent on suffering and burning money, check out the Audi Allroad. My Audi was four years of abject languish, watching something I love destroy itself and my finances.

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  Best Car On the Road - 2003 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By peev - July 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought this because my boyfriend has an A4. Is he jealous now! Not only is the bi-turbo engine extremely fast, but the car handles better than any SUV Ive ever driven on rugged Colorado mountain roads. It is by far the best car Ive ever had the pleasure of owning. And its good lookin to boot!

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  Turbos=torque. Torque=fun - 2001 Audi A6
  By auditurbo - July 17 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun luxuary car. It is amazingly fast and reliable. But all good things unfortunately come to an end. It is my understanding that this wonderful will not offer the bi-turbo engine when the car is redesigned. That is a big disappointment...maybe I should get an 03 before they are all gone.

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  Finally got my A6 - 2012 Audi A6
  By Charles Vandeventer - July 15 - 10:06 pm

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  The A4 is just one great car - 2003 Audi A4
  By carfanattic - July 11 - 10:00 am

  The A4 is one great car. It lacks a great fuel economy, but otherwise, shows much hope for Audi. The four- banger does a lot of damage to even many 6s on the road. It is agile, although very slow on the initial pickup (in fact, like molasses). The turning on the car is the best Ive ever seen except for that on my S55. Comfort wise, for such a small car, its fun and humble. The seats are great. The steering is fabulous. The car is damn awesome. The Xenons though, make a weird step-like shape rather than a smooth line. It is, though, an exceptionally beautiful car.

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  Awesome... - 2003 Audi A4
  By Audi-do-di - July 11 - 10:00 am

  The Audi A4 is a very well-built and solid car, with a near-perfect balance of luxury and sport. I extensively test drove both the 3.0 and the 1.8T and did not find the power difference enough to justify the $5k price premium. Turbo lag is minimal, contrary to what reviewers ReallyBad and turbohoax have said. In fact, if you read their comments, it is quite obvious that they are one and the same person. Hmmm, wonder if this person has ever heard of a "test drive". Drive both cars to make your own judgment.