Name: 2016 Audi S4
Brand: Audi

Audi S4

EPA MPG: 21 mpg

Audi S4 First Drive

Summary

Introduction

2016 Audi S4

Overview

Even though the Audi A4/S4 is one of the oldest designs in its class, and a redesign is just around the corner, it remains highly competitive. In fact, the A4/S4 is nearly everything a compact sports sedan should be. It has a solid, high-quality feel, and the interior is exquisite. Agile handling makes it fun to drive, and the ride, though quite firm, is supple and controlled.

The S4's supercharged 3.0-liter V6 provides a smooth, effortless and punchy thrust. The eight-speed automatic transmission is terrific. We measured 22 mpg overall with the A6 which has the same engine but in a larger body. The Quattro all-wheel-drive works seamlessly.

Impressions

At low speeds some road bumps produce short, taut ride motions but the suspension provides good isolation and blunts any harshness. As the pace picks up the ride smoothes out, and the highway ride is a solid, steady and quiet cruise.

Agile, responsive handling is the S4's best feature. Steering is quick and direct and the body leans little while cornering. At the limits, the it handled very securely but it may not possess the purity of a rear-wheel-drive competitor such as the BMW M3. Still, it proved balanced and predictable.

The front seats have firm padding and good support for the lower back and sides. A full range of power adjustments, including lumbar adjustment, is welcome. Notably, the passenger seat gets the same full adjustments, unlike competitors from Acura, Infiniti and Lexus. The rear seat provides scarcely enough leg and head room for even two adults, but the backrests for the left and right rear seats are well shaped. Controls are complex at first but with practice, their logic becomes clear and many functions can be performed through steering wheel shortcuts while monitoring them in the instrument panel cluster.