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" - 2009 Audi Q5
  By cesar - May 1 - 5:35 pm

  I have had 2 Mercedes (Ml320 and E320) and my Q5 is much better in everything, I traded in a 08 MDX that I bought because Honda and Acura reputation, but I had to take the MDX 3 times to dealership to fix A/c and I recently discovered a noise on the transmission, so I decided - Thats it!! and bought the Q5. I could not be happier with it.

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  LUXURY & sport for 20k - 2004 Audi A6
  By Cory - May 1 - 5:05 pm

  If youre dumb enough to buy a $50k car and complain that it costs a lot to maintain (when you only paid 20k for it) then shame on you. This is a phenomenal car and beats the pants off any comparable, or even brand new, car you can get for ~20k. Ive had 2 and loved them both. (148k miles, and 22k miles) The car is fast, comfortable, reliable (if you keep it up), and an awesome daily driver.

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  Audi Allroad Is Fun To Drive - 2005 Audi Allroad Quattro
  By rockcreek - April 30 - 4:23 pm

  The auto allroad is an oveall great car and I love it. Its easy to drive, has plenty of power and handles well in all weather conditions. The interior is well manafactured and the design features inside are impressive. The rear leg room and headroom are amazing for this mid size car and are as comfortable as the front seats. I like the dual climate control, but wish it had heated seats like my husbands Audi TT. The Bose sound system is better than most luxury cars that I have owned in the past and the speakers are placed all over the interior. I have had no mechanical problems with the car and everything from the exterior to the interior are holding up beautifully. I think youll love it too!

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  Excellent Choice - 2009 Audi A4
  By gmiles - April 29 - 5:36 pm

  After months of study and countless test drives, I chose the Audi A4 quattro over the BMW 328xi and the new BMW 335d. As a previous BMW 3-series owner, I agonized over the decision. However, I cannot be happier. After owning it a few weeks, it has exceeded my high expectations. It is truly an incredible vehicle, with the perfect combination of all the options I was looking for. After initially considering the base (premium) model with the add-ons I wanted, I ultimately opted for the prestige model with all the toys. The icing on the cake is that I paid thousands less than a comparably equipped BMW with better mileage.

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  Great fun ride - 2009 Audi A4
  By MrMike - April 28 - 11:29 pm

  I had previously owned an A4 (2000). I remembered the fun it brought, so I thought Id give it another chance when I began my car search. I also tried all the usual suspects. This was simply the best bang for the buck. I went with the Premium package with AWD. You dont need anything more than that. I read many reviews by other readers and I agree with the positive vibe on this newly improved model.

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  Love this car!!! - 2009 Audi A4
  By Just J - April 28 - 3:35 pm

  I wanted a German sedan and test drove the big three. Hands down I was the most impressed with the Audi A4. I went with the 2.0T because it has more torque than the V6! Very responsive and I am getting over 30 MPG on the highway! The MMI interface was better than the other two systems. Hunted down a 2.0T in Black with a Prestige package. I wanted the 18" rims and the Bang & Olufsen Stereo. The Audis interior looks rich while the others look cheaper. The rear seat room is much better in the Audi.

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  I am falling in love. - 2009 Audi A4
  By Derek - April 28 - 3:34 pm

  This is my first Audi purchase after many years of Volkswagen ownership and so far I am loving every mile of it. I chose the Premium Plus and 18" Sport packages. The seats are very comfortable and all controls are easy to use although I find using the MMI creates an extra step to do just about anything except adjust the radio volume. As typical for a German automobile, everything is placed logically. The steering wheel is weighted nicely but the paddles on the back of wheel are too small to make good use of them. I placed my order 10/08 and would have preferred a M/T but the timing just wouldnt work for me to wait that long. Other than that I cant really complain.

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  Much better than BMW, Infinity, Acura - 2009 Audi A4
  By gfitzgerald - April 27 - 9:25 am

  My trade was a 2006 A3 sport that I had for 2.5 years. I liked it so much I wanted to see what else Audi had that was just a little bit larger, more comfortable yet just as much fun to drive. The A4 Avant Sport was it. Options I got: Premium Plus, Sport, Navigation, Rear Side Airbags. This car is unbelievable. The BMW 325xi wagon cost $8k more for the same equipment but had a cheaper interior and didnt drive as well. The Infiniti EX had sub-par interior quality although it drove great. However, Im not going to apologize to my back seat passengers as they trip getting out of the car (small back seat and door opening if Im buying a $44k car and I would have to do that with the EX).

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  Absolutely Perfect! ...no comparison! - 2009 Audi Q5
  By megn1806 - April 26 - 12:03 am

  I just bought the q5 with the premium plus pkg, and its FANTASTIC! The gas mileage is better than advertised. The LED lights are awesome! It handles just like a vehicle, but with the stamina of an SUV. I am 5"4 and this car doesnt feel too large. The interior is classy, and goes above and beyond all of the competition. I have been looking for a year for an SUV (MB, BMW, Lexus), and nothing comes close to the genius Audi put together with the Q5. I leased this vehicle, but after driving it for 2 weeks, I am quite certain Ill end up purchasing it @ lease end. If you havent driven the Q5, add it to the top of your list, this is one vehicle that is a must drive!

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  All around best daily driver. - 2007 Audi A8
  By Sold on Audi - April 25 - 5:32 pm

  The Audi A8 Sport is one of the most aesthetically pleasing cars I have ever seen. The real surprise however is the combination of ride, quiet and predictable handling in all conditions with high limits for a vehicle of this size and class. I expected competence, but I was surprised by the "fun to drive" aspects of this car. The longer I have owned the vehicle, the better it gets. I drove the MB, Jaguar, BMW and Lexus - there was no question before I purchased the car which one I preferred - but I am even more convinced now that I have more than 14,000 miles on the vehicle and continue to explore its capabilities. I hope Audi doesnt change much before I am ready for my next one!