2020 Audi S4

The brand with this offering pits a solid competition to the rival brands. The engine specifications along with the cutting-edge tech make the S4 a muscular contender of this segment. The S4 locks its horns with rides such as the Mercedes-Benz C43, Genesis G80, and Infiniti Q70. Let's see how well the Audi competes against such beasts.

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, MMI Navigation, LED headlamps and Bang & Olufsen speakers. Go for the Prestige trim and features such as Heads-up display, Adaptive cruise control as well as Audi pre-sense technology are complemented to the sedan.

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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

All the S4 trims are befitted with a 3.0L V6 turbo engine similar to the S6 and the Q7 under the hood. This engine is capable of churning out a zestful 354 hp, the Audi S4 is an underrated all-rounder which has an efficient and effective engine mated to an 8-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission. However, the power really hits higher up on the rev range. At lower revs, the throttle response may feel a bit numb and watered down.

One low that we observed in the Audi S4 was its exhaust note. The ride has a well-responding engine, but the exhaust note does not really feel keen on giving you those goosebumps, which other sports sedan can pretty much get close to. However, despite the subdued engine music, and a not so furious engine character, the V6 delivers solid thrust right on the tap of the throttle. The engine, unlike its predecessors, carries a turbocharger, instead of a supercharger. What seals the sport sedan case for the S4 is its ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission which makes the shifting tasks a cakewalk, thus formulating an ideal blend for a relaxed yet responsive drive.

The German sedan from the Merc - the C43 - and the Infiniti Q70 3.7LUXE give the Audi S4 a tough competition with the V6s making 384 hp and 330 hp respectively. The Genesis G80 3.8 sedan, with its 311 ponies does not lag much behind in the competition. 

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.

You'd find the competition in the rearview mirror as you sprint to 60 faster than the rivals. The ride comes out as the fastest car in the segment, flaunting its taillights to all the other competitors. The C43 AMG sedan finishes closest to the S4 with a 0-60 dash time of 4.5 seconds. Speaking of the Genesis G80, and the Infiniti Q70, the S4 might be having its refreshment drinks at the quarter-mile finish line by the time these two rides cover up the chase.  

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 slight understeer character in conjunction with the precise steering makes the S4 feel weighted and fun to drive at high speeds. The ride is an absolute cornering-artist with its 245/40R18 Hankook Ventus S1 Evo2 tires, hugging the tarmac like two distanced lovers. Flick the steering wheel while attacking the corners, and the rear-end is rapidly rotating, making the S4 a high-on-spirits driving machine. What gives a boost to the rider's confidence is the chassis arrangement and the obedient suspension setup of the S4.

In the city premises, the S4 is easy to maneuver through tight spots and parking lots. The ride feels firm and decisive but can still manage to absorb most of the bumps and vibrations. The ride does not really torchers you to find a stretched parking spot, as it easily accommodates itself in tight parking spots around the town. Turn the knob towards the comfort mode, and you won't be able to believe the fact that this sport sedan can carry the comfort city cruise character so well. The versatile dampers work wonders to absorb the bumps, which the stiff suspension would have suffered to digest otherwise. 

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. 

All the competitors of this segment house almost similar brake dimensions, with no as such major difference. The S4 though gets the largest rear brakes but you won't really notice any major differences. The S4's braking performance feels abrupt and right on the point. The brakes for the ride are tremendously responsive, they may feel a bit too touchy sometimes while cruising at city speeds. the fact is very much evident in the table above with the S4 depreciating form 70-0 MPH at a distance of just 150 ft, which just happens to be the best in class. 

The Audi S4 may be perceived as a fuel-burning ride, but one look at the MPG stats, and bid adieu to this perception. The turbocharged 3.0L V6 is efficient enough to earn some respectable fuel-economy figures for the S4. Considering the ride's hefty weight and serious powertrain, the S4's claimed MPG figures are really praise-worthy.  

In comparison, the Genesis and Infiniti with V6s manage 22 and 24 mpg on highways respectively. The Merc though just by a nick, but lags behind the S4 in terms of combined fuel economy. However, when it comes to total range, the S4 takes a beating from every other competitor in the class. The ride, with a full tank, can cover 321 miles in the city, and 459 miles on the highway, which just happens to be the least in the segment, all credits to its petite fuel tank.

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

Audi has always been keen on setting-up benchmarks with the interior quality of their rides. Speak of the S4 and the case remains pretty much the same. the ride boasts some serious sporty touches in the interior which justify its sport-sedan character. The cabin is ribbon-packed in splendid and uberly luxurious materials such as polished chrome, glossy piano black and tasteful carbon fiber elements, which lends the ride an intriguing and plush vibe. the cabin of the S4 is very muffled and obstructs most of the engine and wind noise. The flat-bottom steering wheel is bound to enhance the racy feel for you, and add straightforward, easy to use, and within range controls to this mix, and what you get is a gorgeous and energetic interior. 

Diamond stitched sports seats are a standard feature of the S4 which along with lending ample support while carving those corners, also exhibits their talent of giving you some really relaxing massages so that you are always fresh enough to take your S4 for a hardcore spin. 

Even the Infiniti and Lexus have great legroom for its passengers, while the Mercedes compromises on the headroom with its sloping roofline. The Jaguar XF has upgraded interior for 2020 and is now more spacious than ever before.

Infotainment System

The 7-inch high-definition screen inside the Audi is easy to use and intuitive while driving. Although Apple CarPlay is available as standard, 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.

The MMI system is good at feedbacks and arouses interest with its crisp and modern graphics. The high-definition screen assures that you do not struggle to operate the panel when your S4 is soaking some sunlight on a bright and pleasant sunny day. The company also offers an optional 8.3-inch screen to satisfy your tech-savvy side. 

Cargo Capacity

At the back of this ride, 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. 

The S4 can prove to be a good travel companion with its 13.0 cu.-ft. cargo space. Though space feels low, the S4 can carry enough luggage to survive an extended-weekend family trip. 

The S4 has more cargo space than the Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG sedan but lags behind the Genesis G80 3.8, and the Infiniti Q70 3.7 LUXE sedan. 

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.

Audi's signature hexagonal front grille has been made a bit chunkier this time for the S4, which in turn makes the front end look much more wider and nicely shaped. Apart from the dimensional changes, the grille has also received some major design changes. The front grille, which earlier used to carry the horizontal grille bars, has been replaced by honeycomb mesh this time. The S4 may be taken as an A4 when seen from a distance, but get a closer look and you'll recognize the ride as a blazing S4 only. What separates the S4 from an A4 in terms of the visual appeal is a more aggressive front and rear fascia, a rear spoiler, quad exhaust tips, aluminum exterior trim, and 18-inch, split-spoke wheels.

Compared to the Genesis and the Infiniti, the Audi feels much smaller in size and dimensions. Merc and Audi, however, are practically the same sizes as the Audi. However, this short stature serves as a benefit for the german contenders, as they get enhanced maneuverability in tight spaces.

Exterior Features 

Some of the prominent exterior features of the Audi S4 are: 

• Rear lip spoiler
• Metal-look rear bumper insert
• Chrome tip exhaust
• Colored w/chrome surround grille
• Heated door mirrors

2020 Audi S4 Safety and Reliability

The NHTSA or the IIHS safety ratings are not yet available for the Audi S4, but the ride packs a number of safety features as standard, which ensures the wellbeing of not just the driver, but the passengers as well. However, in order to load your ride with more active driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist, you need to spend a few more bucks and get the expensive prestige model parked in your garage. 

• 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
• SIDE GUARD 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
• Back-Up Camera

Audi S4 vs Mercedes-Benz C43

The Audi S4 is one of the most underrated Audi cars, with an Intercooled Turbo 3.0L V-6 engine which makes 354 horsepower, and goes against the AMG C43, which is also fitted 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 great rear-seat comfort. 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 Genesis G80 3.8 

This Korean competitor tries to give a fight to the S4 but gets only a German bombing in return. The G80 comes fitted with a 3.8L V6, which can generate 311 ponies along with 293 lb.-ft. of torque, which when compared to the Audi S4 seems pretty low. Be it power, performance, or fuel-efficiency, the G80 takes a knocking form the S4 in almost every aspect. However, the Genesis G80 provides you with some additional cargo space and also spares some of your hard-earned dollars. 

Audi S4 vs Infiniti Q70 3.7 LUXE 

The Infiniti Q70 3.7 posts an impressive fight against the Audi S7. With a 3.7L V6 under its hood, the ride boasts a bigger engine than the S4 which produces 330 hp along with 270 lb.-ft. of torque. However, the Audi's turbocharger weaves its magic and catapults the ride from 0-60 in just 4.2 seconds, whereas the Q70 requires 5.6 seconds in order to showcase a similar set of skills. The S4 also offers a better interior as compared to the Infiniti Q70 which can put you in the mood to pin that throttle. However, what the Infiniti is big at is it's boot space and the price, of course. 

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.