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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  A great ride - 2010 Audi S5
  By Southern1 - August 17 - 7:16 am

  Considered M3 - but this S5 is an overall awesome car. Great looks, ride, handling. Love it.

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  Great - 2006 Audi A6
  By AG - August 16 - 1:10 pm

  Great, great ride. Fun to drive. Looks amazing and drives very well. Be wary of jealous neighbors.

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  Auditt - 2004 Audi TT
  By W - August 14 - 12:56 am

  Head turning all the time. Just cool and practical with front-wheel drive.

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  So much fun to drive - 2006 Audi A4
  By Jake - August 13 - 5:19 pm

  Best car i have ever owned. 25+ MPG in the city and 30+ MPG on the Highway. Super fun to drive. Its an all around great compact sports car. Very Minor maintenance issues, but there isnt a car out there that doesnt

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  2009 A5 S-line - 2009 Audi A5
  By Patrick - August 13 - 12:15 pm

  Exceptional car. Other than having to buy new tires at 17000 miles, Ive had no complaints and a million complements. Good performance, good gas mileage, great handling and outstanding looks. Definitely not another BMW or G-car clone!

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  Incredible machine S4 - 2011 Audi S4
  By patriot75 - August 13 - 11:13 am

  Just got the 2011 Audi S4 for wife. Target price for this fully loaded car was $61+k. Only option left out was automatic rear and manual sun shades. Better to get tint at dealer. Have Mercedes E class that were great cars. While they were nice to drive the S4 is fun to drive. Stability and handling is superb and acceleration will set your hair on fire. Had Porches in the past and the S4 is just like driving a Porsche only with 4 doors. Feels like you are in a fancy go cart with a jet engine and a smooth ride but still feel connected to the road.

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  Expensive repairs - 1997 Audi A4
  By spotmaker - August 12 - 11:30 pm

  Paid about $6200. for the A4 2.8 quattro 6 cylinder. Engine seized about a year later, cost $5,500 to replace with a used 50,000 mile engine. A/C just packed it in, at the tune of $2,200 to fix. Drivers door window falls into door. LEDs on stereo are mostly burned out. Very annoying buzz from rear wheels.

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  Amazing - 2002 Audi S8
  By drb 968 - August 12 - 2:22 pm

  I purchased this with 49,000 miles a few months ago. What an amazing, comfortable car. It handles nearly as well as my Porsche 968 cab, but is so much more comfortable & quiet! Bose Stereo/Nav is rubbish and will be replaced in the next few weeks. If the chance to look at one comes your way, make the effort.

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  Squeaking brakes & Bad Audi Srvice - 2009 Audi Q7
  By SCmom - August 11 - 11:56 am

  I bought Q7 July 2009. Brought it back to dealer immediately for squeaking brakes, not just regular squeak but the kind that people outside look over at your car-was told its normal due to heavy vehicle, could be humidity. I have AudiCare & have repeatedly asked brakes to be inspected at ea visit. was told to spray a hose directly at brakes to reduce squeak. brought it back in around 25k miles - Service Dept told me to get on open road, drive as fast as i could without taking out a kid (yes, its what they said) and brake quickly a few times. Really?! I just want to feel like Audi stands by their product. I thought Id feel happy that we worked hard to buy this car. I feel "duped" by Audi.

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  1999 Audi A4 2.8 AWD - 1999 Audi A4
  By alex - August 10 - 5:35 pm

  The 1999 audi has really been one of the best cars i have ever owned and i have owned a lot in the past. The reliability of it has been very good i got it with 116,000 on it and it now has 153,000 with only one little problem in the middle of the mileage. It was a valve cover gasket, just leaking a little bit of oil, not a big deal replaced it myself in just under a hour. otherwise havent had any other problems. the 1999 audi is a great car for someone who cares about cars and knows how to maintain a car.