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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  Best crossover - 2010 Audi Q5
  By dej - June 13 - 2:55 pm

  Replaced my 2009 Murano. This crossover rides so much better. More responsive steering. Handling around curves much better. Quieter on the highway. Less obstructed rearward view. Interior much finer albeit a tad bit smaller. The Audi doesnt quite match the cargo space of the Murano, but I dont miss it. I do wish the gas mileage was a little better, but this is after all a crossover not a car.

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  Premium Plus w/MMI - 2010 Audi A4
  By Tony K. - June 12 - 9:48 pm

  I purchased a 2010 A4, Premium Plus with FrontTrak after testing driving many cars including BMW 328i, Mercedes C300, Lexus I250, Infiniti G37 and Lincoln MKz. All cars I test drove were very good but the Audi A4 was the best in my opinion. Audi A4 was the perfect blend of a beautiful exterior, high quality sports sedan with peppy engine performance with exceptional handing and a large, well appointed interior cabin with leg room. The last part was very important to me. I am 6’2” tall so I did not want to feel cramped inside the car. The A4 has more room than a BMW 328/MB 300/Lexus I250. The A4 is also a very good looking car. I receive many complements on its exterior and interior looks.

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  3.0 Quatro A4 Cabriolet - 2005 Audi A4
  By Proservice - June 12 - 6:54 pm

  I do enjoy this car since I first got it. The interior designed was great and so its interior: wooden dash, leather seats quality worth every pennies. There were few problems after 10k miles of driving like the cable to the trunk cover for convertible top, rear light bulb. The other major issues was the ignition coils that went bad, check engine light on. The dealership had it replaced no costs. The car has 30k miles and still running like new without any other issues. Overall, this car is the best so far since my past cars: Benz, Acura, Lexus. Plus, its convertible top and silver color made it stand out. I couldnt came up with any reason to get rid of it other than high payments.

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  Amazing car - 2010 Audi A4
  By 1st NonJapanese car - June 11 - 3:11 pm

  I looked at the usual competitors Lexus IS, Infiniti G35, BMW 3 series, and even a Nissan Maxima. I didnt like the MMI system when I test drove it, but after one day it was easy and now I love it. The car has a perfect balance of performance and luxury. Theres enough space for my bigger friends, but has the design to make people look when I drive by. Its good for someone with a family or a bachelor.

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  Too many expensive repairs - 2002 Audi A4
  By TWally - June 10 - 2:45 pm

  The 2002 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro was fun to drive and great in the snow but the repairs killed the bank! They were so expensive and something was always going wrong with the car. I wouldnt suggest buying one or any Audi for that matter unless you are willing to put thousands into the car! Buyer beware!

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  What a beauty! - 2010 Audi A5
  By LABabe - June 9 - 6:42 pm

  After driving my 1992 original Lexus coupe that I adored, for 18 years, it was time for a new car, which had to be another coupe. The only one that interested me was the Audi A5, and after driving it there was no question that this was the car for me! Sporty, but not too small, extremely fun to drive, and have only seen maybe two or three others since buying it last year. Cant wait to take it to Big Sur this summer, on a road trip up the spectacular curves of Highway 1.

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  Good car so far - 2002 Audi A6
  By love my Audi - June 6 - 10:59 pm

  Bought the car with 48,000 miles five years ago, now it has 142,000 happy miles and the car still drives like new. No major issues except CV boot replacement at 90,000 miles, Catalytic converter and O2 sensor replacement at 110,000 miles. With the high end technology comes expected high repair cost, having a knowledgeable and genuine mechanic will make your ownership worthwhile. Mark you if you need a simple sedan then this is not the car for you. Had fun passing SUVs stuck during this years record storm, thanks to the quatro AWD. 200,000 miles here comes my A6.

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  Star Performance - 2010 Audi Q5
  By Lualoa - June 6 - 9:12 pm

  We recently purchased a 2010 Q5 Premium Plus at Classic Audi and absolutely love it. It handles very well and commands the road.

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  1st Audi - 2010 Audi A4
  By DP - June 6 - 8:32 pm

  I agonized over this decision like I never have before. It came down to the 328i and the A4. Both were within $3 per month after hard negotiating. You cannot beat the BMW for in the way it drives. It was amazing, BUT, there are so many other factors and it seemed like the A4 won every other one. Quattro vs XDrive, the interior was far superior in the Audi (cup holders in the BMW were insulting), the way the Bluetooth and Ipod integrate so seamlessly, the ride comfort, and the list truly goes on and on. Trunk space must be at least 2X in the Audi.

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  Excellent vehicle! - 2010 Audi S4
  By Larry - June 5 - 10:01 pm

  The car is absolutely, all around, excellent! I have owned a BMW M3, Cadillac CTS, and Mercedes E350. This blows all of them away!! Fast, Fun, Quality and space makes this a best buy in my book! I love the style, gas mileage and absolute fun I have when I drive it. I read a review somewhere that said dont test drive unless you are ready to write the check. No truer words have been spoken.