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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  So Far, So great - 2010 Audi Q5
  By Toledosfinest - October 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Q5Premium Plus this month after going back and forth with the car dealer trying to get a better deal with the 2011s out. I was finally able to get the vehicle at almost $4000 off the sticker. I have only driven 1200 miles, but so far I love the vehicle. On a weekend trip, I got between 26-27 MPG which I feel is excellent. I suggest that you wax the 19" wheels with a good wax. The brake dust will still show up, but it will wash off much easier. Overall I will rate this vehicle a 10. I will write again in about 6 months.

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  Fun to Driver - 2007 Audi A4
  By Denver Dubreuil - October 22 - 2:00 am

  Love my car, not entirely perfect but so much fun to drive, I had problems with the window and sunroof but took it to the dealer and fixed it with no problem. Car stops on a dime. The breaks are amazing. Slow off the line but once the turbo kicks in its a pretty quick car. Handles really good as well. Lots of room in the trunk. Not too roomy in the backseats though. Also burns through a lot of oil but it doesnt bother me to much just no your going to need a new quart every 2500 miles. All in all though I love this car

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  Acceleration lag is a SAFETY WARNING - 2007 Audi A4
  By TA Johnson - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I have LOVED this car, when going up hills. Its acceleration and cornering are beyond compare. But, when pulling out from a stop sign, or merging into traffic, it is downright dangerous! There is a lag between the time I accelerate and the actual time the car decides to move. Audi says the car adjusts to the driver and his/her habits to improve gas mileage. I cannot sacrifice safety for gas mileage. I cant count the number of times my A4 would not get up and go. Before having this Audi I had never experienced this type of problem. I cannot in good conscience recommend an Audi to anyone who wishes to remain alive.

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  Loving the Prestige Package - 2011 Audi A5
  By Johnny - October 20 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven this car over 900 miles in three days, and its great. I have gotten hundreds of compliments on it and enjoy driving it. The gears are very close together, the system recommends that the car be in sixth gear at 50 mph. Not a lot of compartment storage in the front for miscellaneous items. I ordered the light gray interior from the factory, but it looks beige. I should have gone with black.

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  Awesome, fun to drive Audi! - 2011 Audi Q5
  By fun-to-drive! - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Soccer Mom looking for more fun while getting close to "mid-life crisis!" Got the fun back! Wow, love the power and handling and feel of this drive. With hardly any inventory around, had to take the offered package 2.0T premium plus and love it. Sporty, luxury, cant-take-my-eyes-off-of-it beauty! Tight space inside but the sacrifice is worth it. Not getting the mileage yet that I was hoping for and premium gas pricey but still worth it! Hope the Audi "quality" holds up over the years. A little concerned about a big hiccup feeling when slowing down towards stop sign (outcome of drive-by-wire?). Interested to know what that is and why and is the car okay? Overall, very pleased with Q5

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  High tech goodies in a great ride - 2011 Audi A4
  By Ray W - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven the 2011 A4 for 4,000 km now in a variety of weather and road conditions. Top marks so far for the very peppy turbo 2L engine, the solid but not harsh ride, quiet interior, roomy trunk, confident handling from twisty roads and sharp corners, and an entertainment system that is a match to any desktop computer. Medium marks to the odd LED daytime running lights that wink out when a turn signal is on, the turbo lag off the line, a slightly choppy 8 speed auto transmission that isnt as silky as it should be, and back seats that arent quite roomy enough for the legs of taller adults. Room for improvement on head space for the driver.

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  Amazing Automobile - 2001 Audi S8
  By Pigman - October 17 - 2:00 am

  This German car is for drivers people who love to drive. Of any car I have ever owned this is the one I would pick if I had to drive across the country. It reminds me of an NFL linebacker, big, swift, powerful and nimble all at the same time. I originally purchased it with 92000 miles. It now has 140000 and all I have replaced is tires, idler pulley and serpentine belt and fuel pump. I use 0W40 synthetic oil in it. My wife is now driving it and has fallen in love. She says that it spoils you as you start rating all cars against it, which is unfair. Only 531 imported into us in 2001-2003. It is a German muscle machine made for drivers. DOT governed at 155 mph. (too bad)

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  Wow! - 2011 Audi Q5
  By SFSUVLover - October 17 - 2:00 am

  It was time to replace our Grand Cherokee & had pretty much settled on the new Caddy SRX. Then, we actually drove one and left the lot horribly disappointed. But the Audi Q5 Prestige? Wow! This car has power, even on the worst San Francisco hills, handles like a Porsche, but rides beautifully, and is so crammed with features that you cant list them all. Its been a "head turner" too. The feel of well engineered quality is there everywhere you look. We are elated over this car which seems to perform well above its competitors and doesnt have the "run-of-the-mill" feel that most of them have. Highly recommended.

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  Perfect Ride - 2011 Audi A4
  By Capitol Fred - October 17 - 2:00 am

  I went with the Prestige package, and this one came with the S Line option, and its a great car! For those who worry about the V4 and performance - dont! The engine is phenomenal and with all the torque it puts out, this car has more than enough power to make the A4 a joy to drive. Besides, when do you get to go 0-60 on city streets during rush hour? To tell you how much I love this car, I keep getting up around 4 a.m. to take it out for an early morning drive before I have to get ready for work!

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  Just bought the S5 - 2010 Audi S5
  By cleveland - October 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Audi S5 last month. I was torn between waiting for the supercharged V6, or getting the V8. After all of my research, I discovered, that the V6 will be on average 2-3 miles per gallon more efficient. Which if you drive 15,000 miles a year, and extrapolate over a 5 year car ownership averages to about $2000 saved for the V6. I chose the V8 because I test drove both engines, and the V8 just sounds better, feels better, and I personally like feeling the gears change and shift, because it makes me feel that I am driving a rocket. The car is beautiful, handles superbly, the interior is well- appointed, and looks great. The MMI did require some learning, but Im good with it now.