2020 Audi S4

The 2020 version of the Audi S4 is a refreshed model and will be available in three trims namely; Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. Available only in a powerful turbocharged V6, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and AWD drivetrain, its prices will start from about $50,895. The main competition for the 2020 Audi S6 will be the Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43, Genesis G70, and BMW M340i.

The 2020 Audi S4 is made available in three standard trims which are Premium, Premium Plus, and the top-tier Prestige trim. The entry-level trim starts at a base price of $50,895 and comes along with ample standard features including Full LED exterior lighting, 18-inch wheels,12-way power seats, 10.1-inch media screen, standard 10-speaker audio system, tri-zone climate control, and even simulated leather-Alcantara upholstery. Apart from the standard features, there are numerous optional packages you can choose from, which add comfort, luxury, styling, safety, and performance features. 

Packages include the Driver Assistance package which adds features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The Carbon Fiber package adds a carbon fiber spoiler and mirror caps. Cold Weather package adds all-weather floor mats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel and deletes the flat bottom. Whereas the Warm Weather package will get you ventilated sport front seats, deletes the S sport seats and the massaging function, and adds manual rear side window sunshades. The Black Optic package includes exclusive 19-inch 5-V-Spoke design wheels, titanium finish, and summer tires. There is also an option to go for Nappa leather upholstery as a standalone upgrade. 

Which trim should you buy?

Although the base trim Premium offers sufficient features for its price, who doesn’t like more tech in their car? The Premium Plus unlocks some cool features only at a difference of $2,500. Furthermore, opting for the Premium Plus package will get you plenty more safety equipment including the whole suite of blind spot and traffic monitoring systems.

The 2020 Audi S4 hosts a powerful 3.0L turbocharged V6 engine under the hood which pumps out a healthy 349 hp and has a maximum torque of 369 lb-ft. This engine is coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission and the power is delivered to all four wheels as standard thanks to Audi’s legendary Quattro AWD system. The 8-speed automatic gearbox is quick between shifts and reacts precisely to the paddles, but it definitely is not the most responsive unit that we have used so far in this segment, especially in auto-mode.

 Looking at the numbers for 0-60 mph and quarter-mile timings, the S4 manages to do so in 4.4 and 12.6 seconds respectively. These numbers are quite self-explanatory that the S4 is mighty quick. The turbocharger gets the power to the wheels almost instantly and hence the engine feels peppy and punchy. Audi’s Quattros system is one of the best in putting down the power and the results are quite impressive given its pumps out the least power in its segment.

The AMG C 43 puts out the most power from its twin-turbo V6 engine. However, it is not the fastest. The torquey M340i and the sticky AWD Audi are the two cars that post the best time 0-60 times here. That said, the power advantage does mean that the C43 outshines the Audi in the quarter-mile run while the M340i manages to stay ahead. The Genesis meanwhile, does boast some good numbers, but just can’t get off the line as good as its competition.

How well does the 2020 Audi S4 handle?

The Audi S4 is agile and accurate. The steering wheel is light, precise, and offers great control. Around corners, the S4 offers incredible traction and stability thanks to the trick AWD traction and there is enough oomph from the TFSI motor to pull you out of anything. If you are on the chase for some good numbers on the track, the S4 will not disappoint you, but if you are someone looking for a bit of fun, the Audi might feel a bit too unswerving.

The sportier suspension setup does slant the ride quality more towards the stiff side. This might aid in the handling and stability department, but sure is a compromise on the comfort side. The S4 is undoubtedly a top-notch highway cruiser and the kind of poise and effortlessness it exudes, showcases that. Also, the compact size makes it super nimble, which is perfect for commuting and the excellent all-round visibility makes driving this machine a hassle-free chore.

2020 Audi S4 Braking Performance

For the year 2020, the brakes of the Audi S4 have not received any perceivable upgrade. It still has got that good initial bite to it, but the shed of speed is not that impressive. The braking duties are taken care of by ventilated disc brakes at all four ends.

The front brake rotors are 13.8 inches whereas the rear brake rotors are 13.0 inches in size. They are decently capable and stop the car at a reasonable distance of 112 feet. There’s a little amount of nose dive at heavy braking but that is almost inevitable.

When compared to its rivals, the S4 disappointingly has the worst braking distance while the M340i follows close by sparing about a foot. The AMG C 43 is equipped with the biggest front brake rotor of 14.2 inches, stopping at an impressive 109 feet, which is one of the best-recorded distances here. What surprised us the most was the G70, managing to equal the best thanks to its lower curb weight.

The 2020 Audi S4 manages to deliver a decent fuel economy. The S4 is rated at 20 MPG for the cities and 27 MPG on the highways. A combined mileage of 23 MPG is a good number for a turbocharged V6 engine. However, one letdown is its fuel tank capacity. At 15.3 gallons, it is fitted with the smallest fuel tank in the segment which in return affects its range. You’ll be able to extract around 351.9 miles of combined range in a single tank of gas in this machine.

The worst fuel economy is delivered by the G70 and it is also equipped with a small fuel tank just like the S4. When it comes to this category, the M340i is the clear winner returning around 25 MPG (combined), it manages to attain an overall range of 390 miles which is the best in its class. The C43 is a bit down on economy figures, but with its class-biggest 17.4-gallon fuel tank, it manages to come really close to the frugal BMW.

The interior of the 2020 Audi S4 sports a simplistic but elegant cabin. It is a combination of great design and layout along with high-quality materials and high-tech features. Starting with the dashboard, it is characterized by soft-leather surfaces and an elegant design. The most significant difference is the new 10.1-inch floating touchscreen display. It is followed by a small section of buttons and knobs along with a tiny display for climate control. The flat-bottom leather-wrapped steering wheel has a good grip and feels to it. 

Coming to the seats, there is not as much comfort and space as much as we would have liked. This is for both the front and rear rows. The front sport bucket seats are 8-way power-adjustable with heated and massaging functionality. They are upholstered in leather and simulated suede with diamond stitching. If that does not impress you then an optional Nappa leather upholstery is available and the Warm Weather and Cold Weather packages add features like ventilated seats, heated rear row seats, etc. The rear row might be slightly more spacious than what is found in its competitors but it is still not enough for tall adults.

The M340i leads the segment both in terms of cabin room and cargo capacity, the latter measuring at 17.0 cubic feet, which is the best-in-class by a huge margin. The Genesis also boasts a decently sized cabin but its cargo area is the smallest in this segment. The 2020 C43 and the 2020 Audi S4 do sport almost identical rooms inside the cabin but the Merc pulls ahead with its slightly bigger 12.6 cu-ft cargo hold. Some standout interior features of the 2020 Audi S4; 

• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Heated front seats with massaging functionality
• Leather-wrapped sport steering wheel with paddles
• Leather and simulated suede upholstery with diamond stitching
• Audi Virtual Cockpit (premium plus)
• Keyless entry
• Head-up display (Prestige)
• Cruise control

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The infotainment system of the Audi S4 is a newly introduced 10.1-inch touchscreen display. It replaces the old 8.3-inch screen and is now better than ever. Audi also chucked out the rotary controller which was previously used for controlling the functions and browsing through the menus on the screen. This system has become much more user-friendly because of it. 

Even the voice commands are quick and precise to respond. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a 10-speaker audio system, Audi Connect, etc. are standard on all the trims. The Prestige trim gets a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system with 3D sound and also gets an MMI navigation system as standard. Some standout infotainment features of the 2020 Audi S4;

• 10.1-inch Audi MMI infotainment screen
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity
• 10-speaker audio system
• Voice commands
• Voice-activated Bluetooth and HD radio 
• Wireless charging pad*

Although the exterior design of the 2020 Audi S4 is mostly the same as the A4, subtle changes that have been incorporated in the S model help it come out a bit more aggressive and sporty. The front fascia comprises a huge trapezoidal grille with honeycomb, chrome trim, and the four interlocked rings of Audi. It is surrounded by chrome fog light housing and air damps at the bottom and seeks and sporty programmable automatic projector-beam headlights with LED daytime running headlamps. The hood is simplistic, sporting some subtle curves and also the iconic Sport Quattro hood vents. 

The sides of the car feature 18-inch-5-Y-spoke aluminum wheels and a low ground clearance of 4.2 inches gives it a perfect stance. It also comprises body-colored heated power-adjusting, power-folding side-view mirrors, chrome trim alongside windows, and an express open/close power tilting and sliding sunroof. The rear end of the 2020 S4 is characterized by the LED taillamps, a rear lip spoiler, the S4 badge at the bottom left corner, chrome trim over the rear bumper, and twin-dual exhaust outlets.

All the sedans that go up against the S4 are very closely matched when it comes to exterior dimensions. All of them have almost identical wheelbase, height, and width. As far as the ground clearance is concerned, the C 43 has the lowest (3.5 inches) whereas the G70 has the highest (5.5 inches). That said, the Genesis does weigh the least and this trait has helped it come out best in the braking department. Some standout exterior features of the 2020 Audi S4;

• Programmable, automatic, projector-beam LED daytime running headlamps
• LED tail lamps
• Front and rear fog lamps
• Body-colored heated power-adjusting, power-folding side-view mirrors
• 18-inch 5-Y-Spoke aluminum wheels
• Rear lip spoiler
• Express Open/Close power tilting and sliding sunroof

The Audi S4 is neither crash-tested by the NHTSA nor the IIHS. However, to brief about the safety of the S4, there are a lot of safety and driver-assist features that are standard on all of the trims. Some features like adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning with lane-keep assist are reserved only for the top-tier trim Prestige. There are also a few optional packages available that unlock some more driver-assist features to keep your S4 better equipped. All in all, we feel that with the amount of safety equipment it offers, the Audi S4 is an extremely safe car. Some standout safety features of the 2020 Audi S4;

• Forward Collision Warning
• Back-up camera
• Surround-view camera system
• Blind-spot monitoring system
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Front and rear parking sensors (optional)
• Audi pre sense and pre sense rear

2020 Audi S4 vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43 is one of the closest competitors to the S4. Unlike all other roaring AMGs, the C 43 is a calm and composed sedan. Nevertheless, it is the most powerful sedan in the segment and also the most expensive. Its interior is one of the most luxurious in the segment and is as spacious and feature-filled as the S4. Driving dynamics matter to many buyers and we found that the Merc offers a better behind-the-wheel experience and has a more engaging drive than the Audi. Having said that, the Audi is not a bad substitute for the Merc. 

2020 Audi S4 vs 2020 Genesis G70

Brands like Genesis have marked the segment because of their affordable and value-for-money cars. The G70 is also a good example of the same. Firstly, it is almost $3,000 cheaper than the S4 and offers the biggest V6 engine in the segment. It is neck to neck when it comes to the interior and its practicality and also the driving experience. Where it takes a beating is its fuel economy. It is the least economical sedan in the segment while the S4 is the most fuel-efficient. The tiny trunk also makes the G70 less practical. Hence, even though the G70 offers a great deal at its price, we would still go for the Audi.

2020 Audi S4 vs 2020 BMW M340i 

When compared to the 2020 BMW M340i, the S4 sounds more reasonable and practical as it's more than $3,000 cheaper. However, the Bimmer is one of its toughest competitors. It offers an Inline-6 engine and with an RWD setup, unlike the Audi’s Quattro. Not only is the M340i more powerful but it also leads the segment in terms of interior space, trunk capacity, and fuel economy as well. The M340i has nimble handling and is a vastly more fun-to-drive car than the S4. When it comes to being a dynamic performer, the M340i does a better job than the S4 despite being more expensive. 

The new Audi S4 is a relatively cheap and well-rounded package in this segment. It is not only powerful and sporty but it is also luxurious and upscale. The new changes that have been incorporated in the S4 make it a better car than its predecessor. For the price tag, it is loaded with some exciting and high-tech features for comfort, luxury, and safety. It can easily be your daily driver because of its frugal fuel economy and it can also be a track machine when you want it to be. The versatile performance of the S4 makes it a desirable purchase.