Audi A4 2.0T B8.5
2013-2016
The B8.5 A4 embodies Audi's commitment to understated luxury and technical sophistication. It offers a perfect balance of performance, efficiency, and premium amenities in the competitive compact executive segment.
Quick Take
The B8.5 A4 represents Audi's mid-cycle refresh of their compact executive sedan, featuring updated styling, improved interior materials, and enhanced technology. This generation introduced Audi's efficient 2.0T engine across the lineup with available quattro all-wheel drive.
Best For
Key Strength
Tuning Goldmine
Watch For
Engine Reliability Concerns
The Story
Heritage & Legacy
Building on decades of A4 evolution, the B8.5 generation refined Audi's compact sedan formula with improved dynamics and technology. This mid-cycle update addressed earlier criticisms while maintaining the model's core strengths.
Design Philosophy
Audi's design team focused on evolutionary refinement rather than revolution for the B8.5. Clean lines, premium materials, and attention to detail create an interior and exterior that prioritizes sophistication over flashiness.
The Driving Experience
Engine Character
The 2.0T engine delivers smooth, linear power with excellent fuel economy. Turbo lag is minimal, and the engine pulls strongly through the mid-range, making it ideal for both city driving and highway cruising.
Chassis Dynamics
The B8.5 offers composed, predictable handling with a slight bias toward comfort. The quattro all-wheel drive system provides excellent traction and stability, while the suspension strikes a good balance between sportiness and ride quality.
Sound Signature
The 2.0T produces a subdued, refined note that's more about sophistication than drama.
Strengths & Tradeoffs
Defining Strengths
The EA888 2.0T engine responds incredibly well to modifications, with simple tunes easily adding 50-80hp. The platform has been extensively developed by the aftermarket, making it one of the best bang-for-buck tuning platforms available.
Audi's interior quality and MMI infotainment system provide genuine luxury car feel at a reasonable price point. The ride quality and cabin refinement make it an excellent daily driver that doesn't compromise comfort for performance potential.
Honest Tradeoffs
The EA888 Gen 2 engine suffers from well-documented issues including carbon buildup, timing chain tensioner failures, and oil consumption problems. These issues often appear around 80-100k miles and can be expensive to address.
European luxury car maintenance intervals and parts costs add up quickly. Regular carbon cleaning, premium fuel requirements, and dealer-level diagnostics make ownership expensive compared to Japanese alternatives.
Ideal Owner
Perfect for professionals seeking German luxury, build quality, and all-weather capability in a practical daily driver package.