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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  The Best Compact SUV in the Market - 2010 Audi Q5
  By acalady - June 24 - 7:42 pm

  It was love at first sight! From the moment I saw the Q5 I knew thats what I wanted and had been waiting for. I had already made a deal on a BMW X3, but I was not 100% convinced that I liked the car, particular the stiff ride. I drive a lot. Every week-end Im on the road and driving my Q5 is a dream come true! It is just pure pleasure! I love how the cockpit looks when it gets dark.

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  Complete Package - 2009 Audi Q5
  By forum24 - June 24 - 6:49 pm

  I dont know what is happening with the people who are claiming to have such catastrophic problems with their Q5s. I myself and two other acquaintances all bought Q5s last spring or summer. Between the 3 cars, none of us have experienced a single problem with any of them, and I have put 16,000 miles on in the first year alone. I had leased several Lexus’s prior, and was reluctant to change brands specifically because I was worried about reliability: I did, and have never been happier. This car is gorgeous, comfortable and has more features than I could get in the Lexus for a comparable price- and as of now, the Audi is more reliable!

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  Do not buy a used Audi. It will not last - 2006 Audi A4
  By jojo - June 24 - 6:45 pm

  Garbage. 49,000 miles new engine needed, probably because of the turbo. Later fuel pressure problems, check engine lights on. If you need a used car, do not buy it. Buy Japanese.

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  Great car - 2007 Audi A4
  By jman - June 24 - 8:57 am

  Great quality. You can feel it the moment you get in and start the car. After test driving Acura and Benz and Volvo and Lexus they all feel cheap and flimsy in comparison to the Audi. Just a great well thought out and very very well built car.

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  Sleek, solid, & quick! - 2010 Audi A5
  By joiseyboy - June 24 - 7:50 am

  Ive had my A5 for about a month now, and I really like it. Its a very solid & quiet car (much more so than the BMW 3), and plenty quick. With the turbo 4, I do not miss having a 6 cyl at all, and I am averaging in the high 20s mostly around town. This car is gorgeous inside and out. It looks like a car costing 30 Gs more. The B&O stereo upgrade is well worth it if you are a music lover. Its the best car stereo I have ever had and MUCH better than the Bose units in Infiniti or M- B. I do not find the MMI interface to be too difficult. Yes, it has a few extra steps, but all in all the sound is so good, that I will make the extra effort. High speed stability is amazing. Love it!

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  Well worth the investment - 2002 Audi A6
  By Lanessar - June 23 - 1:18 pm

  A superb luxury vehicle, even years later, which provides a nice, smooth ride. Fun factor is very high in this vehicle. With quattro, Florida downpours dont slow your vehicle down a bit - only the other drivers do. This cars handling and brakes have already prevented a rather horrible high-speed accident when a 2-ton truck decided to go from 80-20 about 12 feet in front of me.

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  Design flaw - 2010 Audi Q5
  By maverick - June 23 - 9:29 am

  During snow or rain, when the rear hatch is opened, to gain access to the rear compartment, water, snow, dirt and salt build up in the drain channel and then run into the rear compartment. Ive seen the mess run over the rubber seal. The dealer said they cannot do anything but maybe Audi will contact me and see if the problem can be solved. To date, no additional contact.

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  Best SUV I have Owned - 2010 Audi Q5
  By Jason - June 23 - 9:06 am

  I LOVE my new Audi Q5. Its Comfortable, handles great and is so easy to drive. No problems since I purchased. Service Department is Awesome. I will Definitely purchase another Audi for wifes next vehicle. Thank you AUDI Great Job.

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  Never again Audi, Never again Paul Miler - 2007 Audi A4
  By Marbar68 - June 15 - 7:57 pm

  I have owned many cars in my life. the experience of driving this car was great for about the first two weeks. Then the car slowly but steadily started to break down. Taking it to my servicer was useless because it always seemed to be my fault or wear and tear. The tires failed, the oil leaked, the coils have been replaced countless times because the head gasket is apparently bad. To top it all off the clutch went because audi sub out to an Asian company so they could get it cheaper. It was all plastic. The car was made very cheap and for some reason the transmission and engine were two different times between 2006, 2007, 2008. coincidence i think not.

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  Go For Quattro - 2010 Audi A5
  By Go for Quattro - June 14 - 11:23 pm

  Dreamed of car since Nov. when seen at auto show. Beautiful car, lots of comments. Only wish I had opted for Quattro. ENORMOUS amount of torque steer and cvt is not very enthusiastic or enjoyable to drive for this price. Wish had test driven quattro more, but in short supply at dealers. Have had top issue from factory not installing hydraulic lines for top appropriately. Otherwise, I love this car. Would have given up some of the fantastic millage for performance and real transmission. Audi missed here and now I cant afford to change. Quattro would have been perfect, as I had opportunity to drive quattro while mine was being repaired. Radio/climate controls take attention from driving