Ah, the Audi S4. I never imagine I’ve ever met one that I have not favored. Certain, I am nonetheless mourning the decline of the handbook transmission possibility in this most up-to-date era, but the current model retains all the other important S4 hallmarks. With a even larger helping of energy, superior managing and smidge more model than the typical A4, modern S4 continues to be a beautifully sorted and highly able sport sedan. And for 2020, gentle updates sweeten the package just a tiny more.
Extra visible depth
Like the total 2020 A4 family, the S4 added benefits from a wider one-body grille, but with a honeycomb insert specific to the S motor vehicles. The reduced entrance air dams are more aggressively shaped than the typical A4’s, and my Glacier White metallic test vehicle options even more mind-set with an optional Black Optic Bundle that throws in black exterior trim alongside with wicked-seeking 19-inch V-spoke star wheels. It really is clear and attractive.
What’s also clear and attractive? The S4’s cabin. It really is your regular Audi interior: basically laid out, intuitive to get the job done by and created from a range of good quality supplies. Important parts of the sprint and doorway panels are wrapped in leather-based, Alcantara is scattered through, and even the difficult-plastic surfaces appear and really feel considerable. This S4 will get some other sporty touches this kind of as a flat-bottom steering wheel, carbon fiber trim and stainless-metal pedals, but the sport seats are the most noteworthy. They appear fancy with diamond stitching and are supremely relaxed with generous support. They also present a massage perform, which I am constantly glad to get gain of.
The S4 is also useful, with a range of nooks and crannies up entrance to stash smaller sized objects in. There is certainly plenty of house in the entrance for older people and there is certainly serviceable serious estate in rear, while if you roll a few persons deep in back, the very poor schmuck in the centre will have to straddle a huge centre transmission hump. Then when you will need to move things, there is certainly 12 cubic toes of house in the trunk, able of swallowing the goods from all but the most out-of-control grocery procuring trips.
Extra tech
The other significant prong to the 2020 S4’s update is housed within the sprint. Audi’s MIB 3 program controls infotainment capabilities by a ten.1-inch touchscreen. When compared with the outgoing program, it really is ten periods more rapidly, which is apparent in how speedily it responds to inputs, completes place lookups and calculates navigation routes. It really is effortless to get the job done by, visuals are crisp and the program is packed entire of options, this kind of as a gnarly 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio set up, Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay and Android Vehicle.
Audi’s trick Digital Cockpit is also in the S4 with the 12.3-inch gauge cluster featuring several displays. You can choose involving huge Google Earth imagery with 3D town maps or an S Efficiency manner with a tach and speedo placed entrance and centre, flanked by a strengthen gauge and lap timer.
Audi’s MIB 3 infotainment program is quick and intuitive.
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The S4 is also established up to reduce any portable devices that occur aboard from ever going useless. Passengers up entrance have USB-A and USB-C stores, a wireless charging pad and a 12-volt socket within arm’s access. Riders in back have two USB-A ports and a 12-volt plug on the back of the centre console. Heck, there is certainly even a 12-volt outlet in the trunk.
On the safety technologies entrance, this S4 is flush with equipment. It really is bought adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with automated braking, blind-location checking, lane-trying to keep help, a 360-degree camera, rear cross-targeted traffic inform and a head-up exhibit.
All-about performer
Nothing at all about the S4’s overall performance qualifications modify for the 2020 model year update, which I am not genuinely bummed about. The 3.-liter turbocharged V6 with 349 horsepower and 369 pound-toes of torque is nonetheless its clean, punchy self, doing work with a fluid-shifting 8-speed automated. Use the Audi Push Select program to choose the Dynamic setting for lag-cost-free launches, getting the 3,847-pound sedan to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Balanced thrust is commonly offered through the entirety of the rev band to zip absent from stoplights and effortlessly merge onto expressways.
The S4’s turbocharged V6 produces a healthful 349 horsepower and 369 pound-toes of torque.
Jon Wong/Roadshow
How do the Audi’s quantities stack up versus the levels of competition? Relatively effectively, besides for horsepower. The BMW M340i xDrive and Mercedes-AMG C43 outgun it with 382 hp and 385 hp, respectively. In the torque department, the S4 is in the middle of the mix, somewhat edging previous the Bimmer’s 368 pound-toes of twist, but at the rear of the Benz’s 384. As for -to-60-mph periods, they’re all in the lower-to-mid 4-next selection with M340i the quickest at 4.1 seconds and C43 occupying the rear at 4.five seconds.
Fuel financial state in the S4 is acceptable, all matters viewed as, returning an EPA-estimated twenty miles for each gallon in the town and 27 mpg on the highway. In the course of a week of typically town motoring, I observed 21 mpg with my admittedly major right foot. The only compact drivetrain nitpick I have is that I wish the adjustable exhaust program had a somewhat louder and throatier setting. As is, the Current setting is the most boisterous with only a lower-critical gurgle.
Dynamically, the S4 nonetheless features drivers a around-fantastic middle floor involving overall performance and journey comfort. When you happen to be in the temper to toss it difficult by corners, put the adaptive suspension and the offered Dynamic Steering program into Activity for brisk flip-in and managed physique motions. I under no circumstances thrust it genuinely difficult, but the S4 shines for the duration of spirited drives, tracking by bends with tiny physique lean, and it hangs on limited with the Bridgestone Potenza summer tires. No question the optional torque-vectoring rear differential is earning its keep hustling the rear about, much too. If you leave anything in Activity for ordinary driving, influence harness is considerably from jarring, and the steering just isn’t extremely hefty. In simple fact, I wish Audi would dial in a tiny more steering body weight.
Bridgestone Potenza summer tires support the S4 hold on limited about corners.
Jon Wong/Roadshow
When you just want to cruise, placing the S4’s chassis in the Snug setting is the ticket. There is certainly more physique roll and the steering lightens and just isn’t as quick to react off centre, but damping for bumps increases for a supple and peaceful journey about town or buzzing down the interstate. The only point you can expect to have to get acclimated to right before having a wholly comfortable motoring experience is the grabby brakes. The preliminary bite is solid and needs a tiny feeling-out interval right before you can brake efficiently.
How I might spec it
At $66,490 which includes $995 for place, my selection-topping S4 Status is packed to the gills with styling, infotainment and safety tech goodies. Of system, that suggests it arrives with a bottom line which is a considerably cry from its $50,895 foundation selling price.
When making my S4, I might decide for the midrange Quality Moreover that will get me have to-haves this kind of as blind-location checking, rear cross-targeted traffic inform and a wireless charger alongside with the Digital Cockpit tech. I adore the appear of the $595 Glacier White metallic paint and $1,four hundred Black Optic Bundle. Toss in the $2,500 S Activity Bundle for the adaptive dampers and torque-vectoring diff and $1,150 for the Dynamic Steering to up managing prowess. Tack on $950 so I can rock out to the Bang & Olufsen audio program and that provides my Audi to a cool $fifty nine,990 out the doorway.
With all the bells and whistles, this S4 test vehicle punches in at $66,490.
Jon Wong/Roadshow
Sweet-location sport sedan
With the BMW M340i xDrive beginning at $fifty seven,690 and the Mercedes-AMG C43 commencing at $fifty five,950, the S4’s more inexpensive pricing is one more constructive going in its favor. The 3 Series is a sharper-managing specimen and the C-Course possesses a more classy cabin than the S4, but neither is as effectively-rounded. With peppy energy, extraordinary journey and managing mix, clear and more intense seems and cabin tech enhancements, the Audi continues to be the most complete and compelling vehicle of the bunch.