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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  Very Reliable - 1997 Audi A4
  By cshaner - May 9 - 12:00 am

  I bought this car when it had 125k miles on it and have put 30k on it in two years. The only thing that has needed replacement is the tires. I live in Idaho so I see more snow than most cars do and it handles amazing in any weather.

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  Impressions of my new Q5 - 2009 Audi Q5
  By automaven - May 8 - 8:01 pm

  I purchased my new Q5 from Audi of Oxnard. I did extensive research prior to the purchase. I wanted all wheel drive for skiing plus a place where both my surfboard and lab dog could fit. I wanted comfort, bluetooth, nav, and pretty much all goodies. The full size moon/ sun roof is a cool addition. I replaced my 06 Acura MDX where the lease just ended. The Audi is extremely comfortable, with fit and finish second to none. Smaller than the mdx, but still o.k. and with better mileage. I got 23.5 on first tank, city and highway. The center stack which controls the radio and nav takes some getting used to.

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  Beats em all - 2009 Audi Q5
  By AudiMyMind - May 8 - 1:48 pm

  Test drove BMW, MB, Lexus, Acura and Infiniti. Audi is absolutely the BEST by far. The quality, craftsmanship, fit and finish is beyond compare. Got the Meteor Gray pearl, light gray interior & Premium plus pkg. Have caused countless head turns on the road and while parked. Those LED daytime running lights really get everyones attention. Precise handling Superb ride.

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  Best Daily Driver - 2009 Audi S5
  By wrinkledoc - May 8 - 10:47 am

  This car is by far the best daily driver. My last car was a Porsche 997 S Cab and before that a BMW E46 M3 Cab. Unless you are going to take this car to a race track it outshines the others. It is way more comfortable and had great Cabin Tech. Ipod integration is outstanding as is the B&O Sound System. If you are looking for a fast, sporty, great looking daily driver look no further. Compared to other German cars with this level of performance it is also a good value. There are not many of these on the road in my area and the car gets a lot of attention.

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  B7 2005.5 , 2.0 Quattro - 2005 Audi A4
  By M. Taxter - May 7 - 8:30 pm

  About 700 miles so far and this car is winning me over. Had a 2001.5 Passat GLX, 5 speed. Close family cousin but this Audi is far nicer. The 2.0 turbo has lots of torque and is much improved from the old 1.8. The 6 speed manual is very good. Leather is a step up from the VW. Bose/XM combination is the best sound Ive ever heard in a car. Gas mileage is as good as or better than my Passat was. Still discovering hidden features - DRL button. No problems detected yet - no shakes, rattles, electronic glitches. Dealer left tires way over inflated - be sure to check them

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  Drive it! - 2009 Audi A6
  By David - May 6 - 12:23 pm

  The new Audi A6 quattro with 3.0L supercharged engine must be driven to be fully appreciated. The speed and agility of this car are outstanding, with 0-60 in 5.9 seconds it compares directly with the 4.2L engine at $5,000 less. Unless you need greater torque for towing there is no need for the bigger and less fuel efficient engine. After owning Mercedes and Porsches for more than 25 years, the build quality and perfection of this Audi is outstanding. We have the Prestige package which includes Bluetooth phone, ipod dock and rear view camera. The interior is beautiful and comfortable with all the creature comforts imaginable. The MMI system and voice command is easy and intuitive to use.

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  Hot car...Fun to drive - 2009 Audi A4
  By KittyKat - May 4 - 1:14 am

  Great car to drive. Comfortable ride. I went from the 08 to the 09 and it definitely feels better although Audi could have kept the full size spare tire and the regular cup holder. Minor things when compared to such huge improvements.

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  Great Ride - 2009 Audi A4
  By Mikey - May 3 - 6:42 pm

  If youre the type of driver that wants to look forward to getting in your car, this Audi fits the bill. Our A4 does not have the sport package so the steering and suspension is not as stiff responsive as lets say an S- line Audi, but the ride is a smooth as can be (which my wife prefers). This car is a real standout in the rain, extremely stable which I attribute to the Quattro. Havent driven it in the snow yet, but I imagine it will perform well. The seats are comfortable and the steering wheel feels great on your hands. Plenty of trunk space. The bluetooth telephone is seamless, hop in the car and the car takes the call. iPod attachment works great as well. Daytime running lights.

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  The perfect urban SUV - 2009 Audi Q5
  By GLo - May 3 - 3:21 pm

  Weve driven the Q5 (with Premium Plus) for a month and we absolutely love it. Its small enough for urban driving/parking, but is roomier and built more intelligently than the X3 that it replaced. Smooth, linear acceleration, balanced steering, and grips the road like a sports car. Our favorite drives are over the twisty canyon roads. MPG is around 17 so far (vs. avg. of 13 with the X3), which is better than expected considering almost 100% city driving. My only complaints are that the brakes are a bit squishy and the side view mirrors are huge. This is great for side visibility, but limits front visibility a bit when making turns, for example. I think well get used to it.

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  Joyful ride - 2009 Audi A4
  By Steve - May 3 - 11:31 am

  This is my 2nd Audi to replace my 2002 A6 2.7T. I like the look of the A4 so chose the Avant version for practical reasons. I must say that its such a joy to drive this car everyday that the commute to and from work seems almost tolerable. It feels sporty even without the sports package. Even though the sports package moves it further up the performance ladder, the ride is a little too jarring for the road I drive on. An added bonus on this car is fuel frugality. I am already averaging 25.5 MPG over 1,300 miles (1/5 city and 4/5 highway driving).