2019 Audi S4

The S4 sedan comes in three trims starting with the Premium trim at $50,200 which equips the sedan with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto as standard, heated seats, and a 7-inch center display, the Premium Plus trim adds upgrades like a 12.3-inch display with Audi virtual cockpit and MMI Navigation. Go for the Prestige trim and features such as Heads-up display, Adaptive cruise control as well as a B&O speaker system are complemented to the sedan.

Model	Premium	Premium Plus	Prestige
MSRP	$50,200	$53,000	$56,300
Key Features	Audi S exterior appearance (Platinum Gray Singleframe grille, Aluminum-optic front/rear trim, and exterior side mirror housings, body-colored door sill blades and integrated rear spoiler)	Audi side assist with Audi pre sense rear	Head-up display
	Full LED headlights with daytime running lights	Audi virtual cockpit	Audi adaptive cruise control with Traffic jam assist
	Twelve-way power front S sport seats, including four-way power lumbar adjustment and massage function for driver and passenger	MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch and Audi connect (limited time subscription)	Top view camera system
	Audi pre sense city and Audi pre sense basic	Audi advanced key keyless start, stop and entry with hands-free trunk lid release	Audi active lane assist
	Audi smartphone interface including Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto	Audi phone box (wireless charging and signal booster)	Bang & Olufsen sound system with 3D sound

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The Premium Plus trim is the best bang for your buck, it has almost all the necessary features equipped and none of the fancy extras to complicate your experience. You get full-LED headlamps and Audi's virtual cockpit along with the MMI Navigation system, which just happens to be a must-have in the Audi.

The sport rear differential, part of the S Sport package, enhances the S4's enthusiastic turn-in. Even sports cars would have a hard time matching the S4's pace on a tight, twisty road. Longer sweepers, however, tax the Audi's front tires to the point of moderate understeer. - Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

With 3.0L V6 turbo engine similar to the S6 and the Q7 under the hood tuned to 349 hp, the Audi S4 is an underrated all-rounder which has and efficient and effective engine mated to a 9-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission. However, the power really hits higher up on the rev range. At lower revs, the throttle feels numb and watered down.

Models	Audi S4	Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG sedan	Lexus GS 300 sedan	Jaguar XF 25t Premium Sedan	Genesis G80 3.8 sedan	Infiniti Q70 3.7LUXE sedan
MSRP	$50,200	$55,250	$47,635	$50,960	$43,045	$51,295
Engine	Intercooled Turbo 3.0L V-6	Twin Turbo V-6, 3.0 L	2.0L i4	2.0L i4	3.8L V6	3.7L V6
Transmission	8-Speed Automatic Tiptronic	9-Speed Automatic	8 Speed automatic	8 Speed automatic	8 Speed automatic	7 Speed automatic
Horsepower	349 hp @5400 rpm	384 hp @ 2500 rpm	241 hp@ 5800rpm	247 hp@ 5500rpm	311 hp@ 6000rpm	330 hp@ 7000rpm
Torque	369 lb-ft @ 1370 rpm	385 lb-ft @ 6100 rpm	258 ft-lbs@ 1650 rpm	269 ft-lbs@ 1200rpm	293 ft-lbs@ 5000rpm	270 ft-lbs@ 5200rpm

The german sedans from the Merc - the C43 - and the Jaguar XF give the Audi S4 a tough competition with the V6s making 384 hp. Lexus GS 300 and Infiniti Q70 come with V6s instead of four-bangers making 300+ hp. The Infiniti and Jaguar have torque-rich engines that make the sedan punchy and fun to drive.

Acceleration

The Audi S4 may not be a performance sedan that could launch off at drag strips, but it delivers excellent acceleration figures. 60 miles an hour from a standstill takes merely 4.1 seconds while the quarter-mile takes 13.8 seconds. The Quattro system gives an immense boost to the acceleration compared to the rear-wheel-drive sedans.

Models	Audi S4	Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG sedan	Lexus GS 300 sedan	Jaguar XF 25t Premium Sedan	Genesis G80 3.8 sedan	Infiniti Q70 3.7LUXE sedan
0-60 MPH	4.3 sec	4.1 sec	7 sec	5 sec	6.3 sec	5.6 sec
Quarter mile	12.8 sec	N/A	N/A	13.5 sec	14.6 sec	14.2 sec
Engine	3.0L V6	3.0L V6	2.0L i4	2.0L i4	3.8L V6	3.7L V6
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	N/A	N/A	N/A	6.3	8.9	8.4

You'd find the competition in the rearview mirror as you sprint to 60 faster than the rivals. Close at its heels, is the Jaguar XF coming in at 5.3 seconds, followed by the Infiniti Q50 at 5.5 seconds, while the Mercedes takes 5.9 seconds.

Ride and Handling

The understated looks betray the superb handling and driving dynamics of the S4 sedan, thanks to the Quattro all-wheel-drive system and other advanced drive-assist features. The low stance keeps the sedan planted through the corners and there is minimal body roll. The ride feels firm and decisive but can still manage to absorb most of the bumps and vibrations.

The slight understeer character in conjunction with the precise steering makes the S4 feel weighted and fun to drive at high speeds. In the city premises, the S4 is easy to maneuver through tight spots and parking lots.

Braking

The sedan comes with 13.3-inch discs up front and 13s in the back, while the pedal is easy to modulate and delivers smooth deceleration without sharp jerks. Even under heavy braking, the suspension setup keeps the sedan balanced and there is no significant brake fade upon continuous usage.

Model	Audi S4	Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG sedan	Lexus GS 300 sedan	Jaguar XF 25t Premium Sedan	Genesis G80 3.8 sedan	Infiniti Q70 3.7LUXE sedan
Brake Front (in.)	13.8	14.2	N/A	12.8	13.6	12.6
Brake Rear (in.)	13	13.8	N/A	12.8	12.4	12.1
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3858	3825	3805	3590	4195	3876
70-0 MPH (ft.)	148	N/A	174	170	167	167

The rivals have slightly smaller brakes to manage the sedans, but you won't really notice any major differences. However, the Jaguar XF has improved brake performance for 2019 and may prove to be a challenge for the Audi.

Even in this arena, the Audi trumps the competition, the turbocharged 2.0L is a thrifty engine which gives you up to 34 miles to the gallon on the highways while managing 23 miles to the gallon in the city. The combined average comes to 27 which makes the Audi a pretty affordable daily driver.

Model	Audi S4	Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG sedan	Lexus GS 300 sedan	Jaguar XF 25t Premium Sedan	Genesis G80 3.8 sedan	Infiniti Q70 3.7LUXE sedan
MPG (city)	21	19	22	25	19	18
MPG (highway)	30	27	32	34	27	25
MPG (combined)	24	22	26	28	22	21
Tank Capacity (gal)	15.3	17.4	17.4	19.5	20.3	20.0
Range (miles) (city/highway)	321/459	331/470	383/557	488/663	386/548	360/500

In comparison, the Lexus and Infiniti with V6s manage 20 mpg in the city and a respectable 28 mpg on highways. The Merc and Jaguar aren't far behind the Audi and give up to 23 mpg in cities and 33 on highways.

The S4 delivers performance and luxury in equal amounts. Driver fatigue, no matter the road, is at a minimum, and the S4 manages to strike a fine balance between capability and usability. - Car Connection

Seating and Comfort

If there's one thing the Audi S4 is best at, it's passenger comfort. The spacious interior has plush leather seats with comfortable bolstering and support for long journeys. Most of the surfaces are soft to the touch, however, a few hard plastic parts still manage to sneak by. The seats at the back easily accommodate three adults with great ease and has plenty of headroom for the taller passengers.

Model	Audi S4	Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG sedan	Lexus GS 300 sedan	Jaguar XF 25t Premium Sedan	Genesis G80 3.8 sedan	Infiniti Q70 3.7LUXE sedan
Passenger capacity	4	4	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.9/55.9/41.3	40.9/55.3/41.7	38.0/57.3/42.3	37.5/NA/NA	41.1/58.3/45.7	39.1/58.4/44.4
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.4/54.5/35.7	37.1/55/35.2	37.8/55.7/36.8	38.2/NA/NA	38.2/57.1/35.0	37.7/56.7/36.2

Even the Infiniti and Lexus has great legroom for its passengers, while the Mercedes compromises on the headroom with its sloping roofline. The Jaguar XF has upgraded interior for 2019 and is now more spacious than ever before.

Infotainment System

The giant high-definition screen inside the Audi is easy to use and intuitive while driving. Although Apple CarPlay is available as standard, but operating it through the rotary knob often gets tricky. It comes equipped with MMI navigation plus with MMI touch system which is one of a kind. The S4 is equipped with Audi Connect which means it will give you an inbuilt 4G LTE connection. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard for this variant.

Cargo Capacity

At the back of the coupe, the cargo volume is not that great, primarily because of the sloping roofline. However, on the inside, you'd find plenty of cubby holes to put your Starbucks cappuccinos in.

Model	Audi S4	Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG sedan	Lexus GS 300 sedan	Jaguar XF 25t premium Sedan	Genesis G80 3.8 sedan	Infiniti Q70 3.7LUXE sedan
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	13.0	12.6	14.3	17.8	15.3	14.9

Audi A4's exterior doesn't push any boundaries, it just reinforces them. The plain sheet metal on the outside is punctuated with sharp lines that define its edges, perhaps more than any other sedan like it. - Car Connection

Design and Dimensions

Unlike the sharp styling creases you'd find on the S5, the S4 is rather tame and civilized, giving it the sleeper status. As for the updates, the S4 has received a larger front grille and more creases on the hood. The generic layout of the sedan resembles the Volkswagen Passat and the Skoda Superb. With the 4-ringed badge upfront, the S4 gets the premium flair accented by the chrome grille and LED daytime running lights.

Model	Audi S4	Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG sedan	Lexus GS 300 sedan	Jaguar XF 25t Premium Sedan	Genesis G80 3.8 sedan	Infiniti Q70 3.7LUXE sedan
Curb weight (lbs.)	3858	3825	3805	3590	4195	3876
Length(in)	186.8	185	192.1	195.0	196.5	196.1
Width(in)	72.5	71.3	72.4	78.2	74.4	72.6
Height(in)	55.3	56.3	57.3	57.4	58.3	59.1
Ground clearance (in)	5.0	N/A	5.1	4.1	5.3	6.0
Wheelbase (in)	111.2	111.8	112.2	116.5	118.5	114.2
Track width (in) F/R	61.6/60.9	63.1/61.3	62/62.6	61.4/61.8	64.1/65.3	62/61.6

Compared to the Lexus and the Infiniti, the Audi feels much smaller in size and dimensions. Merc and Jaguar are practically the same sizes as the Audi but the Merc gets you bigger passenger room inside. The Jaguar's short stature benefits its maneuverability in tight spaces.

2019 Audi S4 Safety and Reliability

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Audi connect CARE Emergency Sos
• Parking System Plus Front And Rear Parking Sensors
• Audi Side Assist Blind Spot Sensor
• Audi pre sense basic and Audi pre sense rear
• Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• SIDEGUARD Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Driver And Passenger Knee Airbag
• Rear Child Safety Locks
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Rear Center 3...
• Back-Up Camera

Audi S4 vs Mercedes-Benz C43

The Audi S4 is one of the most underrated Audi cars, with a 3.0L inline-6 engine which makes 349 horsepower, compared to the AMG C43 also with a 3.0L V6, making slightly more 384 hp. Compared to the Audi, the Merc has better and comfier interiors, with leather-clad seats and rear that is actually usable. The infotainment on the Audi is leagues ahead of the tiny standard screen in the Merc. In terms of driving dynamics, the C43 is an absolute thrill, unlike the mellowed down Audi.

Audi S4 vs Lexus GS 300

The Lexus GS 300 is one of the biggest threats to the S4, it gets a massive V6 compared to the Audi, potent enough to compete with the RS4 at the price of the S4. The interior is decked out with premium materials and exotic styling, a departure from the vanilla interiors of the Audi you've been seeing for ages. However, in terms of driving feel, Lexus still can't keep up with the Audi Quattro system.

 

You better not judge a book by its cover and underestimate the capabilities of the Audi S4. It is powerful enough to compete with other V6s and advanced enough to take on the Mercedes. If you're looking to daily drive a modern-day sleeper, this sedan should be on top of your list, combining practicality with performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are there any additional packages available? 

No, the car just offers three trims and no additional packages.

Is the S4 a better option than the A4? Why?

Yes, definitely. The S4 features a bigger engine which produces 248 hp along with 369 lb.-ft. of torque. The A4, on the other hand, generates 188 hp along with 236 lb.-ft. of torque. 

Does the S4 have automatic climate control?

Yes, the S4 has an automatic climate control arrangement.