Verdict
B
Saloon · Germany · 1994-Present
Audi A4
Audi A4 — spec data and generation history.
Years
1994-Present
Generations
5
Segment
Saloon
Audi's volume executive saloon — five generations on the UK market, all longitudinal engine, all available with quattro AWD. B5 (1994–2001) launched the modern A4 name; B6 (2001–2005) brought sharper styling; B7 (2005–2008) was a B6 facelift with a wider grille; B8 (2008–2016) moved to the MLB platform with the EA888 petrol family and EA189/EA288 diesels (Dieselgate generation); B9 (2016–Present) is the current car with virtual cockpit and the 2024 facelift bringing mild-hybrid as standard. Saloon and Avant (estate) bodies. The Mondeo of executive saloons in the UK — sold in volume, rust-free, sensibly tuned.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
B7 2005-2008 → B8 2008-2016
BHP +22 bhp
Torque +85 Nm
0–60 mph −1.4 s
Top speed +10 mph
MPG +8 mpg
B8 2008-2016 → B9 2016-Present
BHP +15 bhp
Torque +30 Nm
0–60 mph −0.4 s
Top speed +5 mph
MPG +5 mpg
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
1994-2001
B5
→
1.8T quattro — 150 bhp, 0-62 in 8.4s.
Verdict
C
BHP
150
0–60
8.4 s
Top
137 mph
MPG
27 mpg
Used
$1,000-$4,400
- + Original modern A4 — defined the segment
- + Quattro grip
- − Cabin tiny by modern standards
- − Rust on UK cars
2001-2005
B6
→
1.8T quattro — 163 bhp, 0-62 in 8.0s.
Verdict
C
BHP
163
0–60
8.0 s
Top
142 mph
MPG
28 mpg
Used
$1,500-$5,700
- + Sharper looks than B5
- + Cabriolet body added
- − Multitronic reliability
- − Sludge issues on 1.8T
2005-2008
B7
→
2.0 TFSI quattro — 200 bhp, 0-62 in 7.0s.
Verdict
C
BHP
200
0–60
7.0 s
Top
145 mph
MPG
27 mpg
Used
$2,300-$7,000
- + Single-frame grille debut
- + Wider front track
- − Cabin still tight
- − Multitronic CVT issues continue
2008-2016
B8
→
2.0 TFSI quattro — 222 bhp, 0-62 in 6.4s.
Verdict
B
BHP
222
0–60
6.4 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
33 mpg
Used
$4,400-$15,000
- + MLB platform refinement
- + EA888 tunable petrols
- − EA888 oil consumption
- − EA189 Dieselgate
2016-Present
B9
→
40 TFSI quattro — 201 bhp, 0-62 in 6.3s.
Verdict
B
BHP
201
0–60
6.3 s
Top
149 mph
MPG
33 mpg
Used
$18,000-$53,000
- + Virtual Cockpit standard
- + MHEV efficient
- − No PHEV in UK
- − Cabin restrained
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
1994-2001 · B5
- Rear axle bushes
- Multitronic CVT failures (early)
- Coil pack failures on 1.8T
2001-2005 · B6
- Sludge build-up on 1.8T
- Multitronic CVT failures
- Air mass meter wear
2005-2008 · B7
- Carbon build-up on 2.0 FSI
- Multitronic CVT (still)
- Sticking rear caliper pistons
2008-2016 · B8
- EA888 oil consumption
- EA189 Dieselgate emissions software
- S-Tronic mechatronic faults
2016-Present · B9
- EA888 EVO PCV diaphragm
- 7-speed S-Tronic mechatronic
- MMI freezes pre-2020
- AdBlue dosing on TDI
Rivals
BMW 3 Series · Mercedes C-Class · Jaguar XF · Volvo S60