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 Car - 2001 Audi A4
  By loffdawg - April 26 - 3:46 am

  This is not the quickest car out there, but it has great handling and is fun to drive. Lots of great feautres for a reasonable price. Looks great inside and out.

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  AUDI has perfected the A4 at this point - 2014 Audi A4
  By John Fricker - April 25 - 4:57 pm

  Audi has had several years to perfect this model without a major redesign. This car has no weaknesses, other than a higher initial price and expected higher charge from the dealer for service. It is a Germanic import after all. My CPO will pay for the next three major service intervals, so that is around $1500 I wont pay for. An investment with style.

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  New Owner - 2018 Audi A4
  By C Karas - April 24 - 3:39 am

  Have owned the car for a month and went in with high expectations. Happy to say they have all been exceeded. Great drive, excellent handling, great technology. Exceeded all expectations.

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  lemon? - 1998 Audi A4
  By gflos - April 22 - 2:00 am

  Inspite of no abuse & dealer maintained on Audi schedule weve had various problems with this car both electrical & mechanical. Weve had to replace a drivers window motor, airbag sensor on passenger side, a rear differential while still under warranty. The car is about 5yrs old with 98,000mi & we now learn that the cam seals & cam adjusters need to be replaced. I feel that this is a major mechanical failure for a car like this. Based on our experience we would be hard pressed to buy another Audi. My 3 yr old Dodge Dakota Quad Cab with 71,000 mi has a much better track record than our Audi.

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  Great Car So Far! - 2006 Audi A3
  By Northern VA John - April 21 - 5:36 am

  I have had my A3 for 2 months now, without any problems or concerns. Handles great, plenty of power, and pretty good gas mileage, 25 city, 28 overall. The Bose audio is great, hearing parts of songs that I have not heard without headphones. Only a few items to consider. First, the rear hatch / storage is pretty little; so little that I had to take out the woods to get my golf bag in and had to angle my driver to get it to fit. I also probably would not get the navigation system, it works fine, but there are handheld devices that are a lot less expensive. For guys over 61" it might be a bit small, plus the back seat would be tight for adults, but not my kids.

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  Excellent hwy hauler - 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By Sven - April 21 - 2:30 am

  Purchased this car certified used. Got plenty of compliments about the way it looks (i.e. expensive). People at work were questioning if I got some secret raise. As far as driving the car, its not quite the drivers car but I knew that coming in. What it excels in is a highway hauler. I needed something to drive up to Lake Tahoe hauling my skis, mtn bike, and friends while cruisng in comfort. Once this car is on the highway it just hauls and is very quiet and comfortable. Much more than an Outback I use to own. Turbo/transmission lag is annoying and heard it can be fixed with an aftermarket ECU. Also when the car is cold it feels like its running on 4 cylinders.

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  Great Ride - 2005 Audi A4
  By Happy Guy - April 17 - 5:36 pm

  Our 2005 A4 3.0 Cabriolet is our 7th Audi and clearly the best. My wife drives an A6 Avant quattro, which also is a winner. Other than the lousy design of the console, the car is the best looking and the most fun to drive of any I have ever owned. I went from a Land Rover Discovery to the A4 Cab. It was a great Move!

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  I Love my Car. - 2010 Audi A4
  By Julian Martinez - April 10 - 3:41 pm

  I love my car

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  Wouldnt Trade it For Anything... - 2004 Audi A4
  By MicEvHill - March 30 - 2:00 am

  This car screams quality through-and- through! It offers a great ride, impressive perquisites, a classy look, and a price that is competitive with other entry-level luxury convertibles. It has surprisingly good pick-up, given its powertrain. It is a joy both to drive and to own! Run... dont walk... to your dealer and purchase one of these gems!

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  poor reliability - 2004 Audi A4
  By nrn - March 24 - 2:00 am

  I am second generation Audi owner. I strongly doubt I would buy another. The reliability and resale value is poor at best.In addition I have had problem with power steering, been to two dealers, had it changed twice and still have problem. It could use a little more power as well.