Audi A4 generations

By Craig Hale

Last updated: 19 June 2025

All Audi A4 generations listed

The Audi A4 has been a staple of the executive saloon (and estate) scene since the mid-1990s.

Over the years, it's morphed in shape, size, tech and personality, but the core recipe has stayed true – and that's its premium feel, crisp design and strong attention to detail and quality.

Let's take a trip down memory lane and explore all the Audi A4 generations, including the Audi A4 Avant generations, and cover what the car has become now that it's been formally (but not technically) discontinued – because for the latest generation, the A4 has been rebadged as the A5.

Full list of Audi A4 generations

First-generation Audi A4 (B5 Typ 8D; 1994)

Launched in 1994 as the successor to the Audi 80, the first-gen A4 set the tone for modern Audi design with sharp lines, a clean interior and a no-nonsense attitude.

You could get it with front- or four-wheel drive, a choice of four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, and manual or automatic gearboxes. It was among the first Audis to introduce the 1.8T petrol engine – a highly popular choice that went on to inspire today's 2.0-litre units.

Its biggest facelift, which came about in 1998, subtly revised the style but, more importantly, replaced some older engines with more powerful and efficient options. This was also the first time we got the S4 performance model. One year later, the RS4 Avant went on sale, but it was estate-only.

Second-generation Audi A4 (B6 Typ 8E/8H; 2000)

Things got a bit rounder and curvier for this generation, which took its styling cues from the second-generation 'C5' Audi A6 that came out a few years earlier.

It also moved over to Audi's new (at the time) B6 platform, allowing it to borrow more from Audi's parts bin (like the A6's boot design). Like before, four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines were on offer, but the sluggish automatic gearbox got replaced with a CVT (branded 'multitronic').

Apart from Saloon and Avant variants, Audi also brought out its A4 Cabriolet in 2002, while the S4 performance edition got an upgraded 4.2-litre V8 engine. An RS4 for this generation never hit the market.

Third-generation Audi A4 (B7 Typ 8E/8H; 2004)

Despite the change of name (from B6 to B7), take a finer look at its codenames (Typ 8E/8H) and you'll begin to understand just how similar the third generation is to the second. It's more of a heavy facelift, but Audi decided it was worth introducing a whole new generation.

Though engines like the 1.8T remained on sale, this was a pivotal time for Audi, because it was when cleaner and more power-efficient engines like the 2.0 TFSI were introduced.

Because this was, of sorts, a facelift to the B6 model, there were no major facelifts for the B7. It did, though, get an RS4 option, powered by a more powerful version of the S4's 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine.

Fourth-generation Audi A4 (B8 Typ 8K; 2007)

Big changes here, because the fourth-generation Audi A4 was built on the VW Group's MLB platform – one that still underpins many of its cars today, including the A5, Q5 and even the Porsche Macan.

By stretching the wheelbase, Audi made more room inside, especially for rear-seat passengers. An estate body shape quickly followed, by the Cabriolet model split off into a separate car – the A5 – which also came in Coupé and Sportback flavours, the latter being a blend of saloon and coupé.

Its biggest update was in 2012, when Audi facelifted the front end to include new LED daytime running lights and improved its MMI infotainment system.

Fifth-generation Audi A4 (B9 Typ 8W; 2015)

The B9 model pushed things even further in terms of tech and efficiency, introducing a completely stripped-back, minimalist interior packed full of high-end features and the sort of quality materials you'd expect from a premium brand.

Trim levels got simplified, and many of the larger engines were removed to make room for mostly 2.0-litre units with a huge focus on efficiency.

2019 was a big year for Audi, because by then, they knew the A4 would not be renewed for a new generation. Well, not quite – more on that in the next section. Key changes include an updated front end and a new touchscreen infotainment system.

Third-generation Audi A5 (2024)

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you. Audi, rather confusingly, rebadged the A4 as the A5, effectively killing off the Coupé, Cabriolet and Sportback versions of the A5 that came before it.

Like its A4 predecessors, there are Saloon and Avant variants to pick from. It looks pretty similar from far away, but take a closer look and you'll see it wears the same design as all other modern Audis. It's a glamorous car, with plenty of shiny chrome and eye-catching alloys.

Apart from updated mild hybrid engines, this was the first time that the A4 (now A5) got a plug-in hybrid system, and it's a good one. The 25.9kWh battery is good for 67 miles of electric-only range, and paired with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, the whole system makes a mightily impressive 299hp (0-62mph in 5.9 seconds, in case you were wondering).

Audi S4 and RS4 generations

Of course, we can't talk about the Audi A4 without acknowledging the spicier ones built for performance. Warm S4 and hot RS4 models have been a staple of most generations, offering truly understated performance options.

They include, and look out for the one wild-card diesel, the following models:

• Audi S4 (B5, 1997-2002) – 2.7-litre V6, 265hp

• Audi S4 (B6, 2003-2005) – 4.2-litre V8, 344hp

• Audi S4 (B7, 2005-2008) – 4.2-litre V8, 344hp

• Audi S4 (B8, 2009-2016) – 3.0-litre V6, 333hp

• Audi S4 (B9, 2017-2019) – 3.0-litre V6, 354hp

• Audi S4 (B9, 2019-2024) – 3.0-litre V6 diesel, 347hp

• Audi S5 (2024-) – 3.0-litre V6, 367hp

• Audi RS4 (B5, 1999-2001) – 2.7-litre V6, 381hp

• Audi RS4 (B7, 2006-2008) – 4.2-litre V8, 420hp

• Audi RS4 (B8, 2012-2015) – 4.2-litre V8, 450hp

• Audi RS4 (B9, 2017-2024) – 2.9-litre V6, 450hp

What’s the best Audi A4 generation?

A tough question, and one that depends on what you want from your Audi A4.

If you value a sleek design and the best onboard tech, it's hard to beat the facelifted B9 model, introduced in 2019. It has aggressive looks, efficient engines and a highly refined interior.

Although the 2024-onward A5 turns the dial up to 11 on all of these fronts, it can be a lot more expensive to buy, so save yourself some well-earned cash and opt for the final A4, the B9.

Explore the latest Audi A4 cars for sale

If all of this has left you wanting to explore which Audi A4 you can afford, or which one would look good on your driveway, why not consider browsing our used Audi A4 listings? Who knows? Your perfect Audi A4 generation might just be a few clicks away.

Learn more:

• Audi A4 vs. A6

• Audi A4 Avant vs. A6 Avant