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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  Do Not Trust - 2006 Audi A4
  By Del - October 5 - 2:00 am

  Sometimes locks doors when I exit car, even w/ motor running, which should be impossible. Once refused to shift down while passing a car and refused to accelerate in any selected gear except "Drive." Revs would peak at 4k, even with accelerator planted firmly to firewall. Tried every possible position of gear selector and punched the accelerator to downshift during 50 miles of freeway driving, to no avail. After shutdown, no problem. Do not trust this car. Dealers tech indicates he never heard of such a problem. Dealer is 200 miles distant, and tech doubts problem can be diagnosed, since no warning lights were lit.

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  Hot car - 2003 Audi TT
  By snowdogg - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Purchased as 2nd owner from dealer. 35K on the clock in 7 years. Since it is almost new, I expect NO problems and havent been disappointed [yet]. Powerful, fun to drive, great handling, eye-catching and real economy - 30 mpg, suburb stereo. This car has all the bells and whistles Ill ever need. Plan on keeping this car a long time only driven in summers. Will do maintenance as recommended by factory - my best attempt at forestalling potential problems.

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  S5 first 2k miles - 2009 Audi S5
  By OBX351 - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive always wanted a 993/996/997 BUT need a back seat that can accommodate a baby seat. The S5 has plenty of room for 3 adults and a large baby seat. Its very comfortable, has all wheel drive (go to YouTube and check out the S5 racing a down hill skier, the car goes up and down the slope!) and has similar stats to a 997 4. 0-60 4.9 S5 vs 4.8 997 4 and 1/4 13.2 S5 vs. 13/12.9 997 4. The 6 speed gear box is not quite as nice as the 997 but is still easy to shift. Anyway this is a great sport GT/luxury sports car. It sticks to the pavement, drives GREAT in the rain and is very comfortable. Well see how it does over the next 90k miles, but I am very happy with the first 2k miles.

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  Audi q5 in a rain storm - 2010 Audi Q5
  By lila - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Just got back from driving on route 91 in a terrible rain and wind storm. Today was another example of why I purchased an Audi SUV. It holds the road so well and just feels very safe to drive especially under bad driving conditions.

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  First Year w/ Audi A6 - 2010 Audi A6
  By T F Kelley - September 28 - 2:00 am

  1st move away from Honda/Acura product in 25 years. Very impressed with performance, handling and styling of the A6 (supercharged). Only 2 complaints: very average gas mileage even when not driving hard, in the 18- 20 mpg range. Have had to visit dealer 5 times for service in 1st year, 1 sch maint, 2 running light burnouts, 1 water pump seal, 1 display malfunction. Seems like a lot of down time for a new vehicle in this price range.

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  Awful, awful, AWFUL! - 2005 Audi A4
  By BethanyE - September 28 - 2:00 am

  I have replaced: the crank shaft, the A/C compressor, the fuel injector pump, tires TWICE in 2.5 years (Im a girl - I dont ride this car hard at all), the air intake, headlights x 13 (there are an insane amount of headlights in this car). I would have been better off (and happier) riding the bus.

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  Never again - 2006 Audi A4
  By Joe - September 28 - 2:00 am

  This car has been nothing but trouble. The check engine light goes on time after time. After 44K miles the car needed a $2200. repair (fuel pump/camshaft) w/ metal shavings in the engine to boot. Last Audi I ever buy.

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  New 2011 Q5 2.0T - 2011 Audi Q5
  By ftlnewaudi - September 28 - 2:00 am

  After driving the Q5 in V6 form several times I was glad to see the 2.0T come out for 2011. It definitely sounds like a 4 cylinder (albeit a smooth one) and the new 8sp transmission does need to shift more often to keep up to speed. But overall I am extremely happy with the Q5 in 2.0T trim. It drives like a car with great handling and a quiet, smooth ride. I have the Premium Plus with standard 18" wheels as well as the Nav package and B&O Stereo. So far a great vehicle.

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  BMW to Audi - 2011 Audi S5
  By wreck - September 26 - 2:00 am

  After owning a BMW 335 Cab for 3 years I could not wait to get back to Audi. The BMW was nice but with the Rub Flats and turbo problems run away from this car. BMW still has the take it or leave it attitude. Everything with BMW is normal, it takes a law suit to wake them up. Its a shame after 6 BMWs since 1999 I would never own another one again. The best driving experience is ruined by the Run Flats!

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  Love it! - 2011 Audi A4
  By audiconvert - September 26 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Audi and I absolutely LOVE it! Before purchase I was concerned about a 4 cyl, but the turbo makes it a non issue and the gas mileage is AWESOME! The interior is extremely comfortable and well thought out. The attention to detail truly makes the car fun to drive. Im officially an Audi convert.