More

    2020 Audi S4 review: A sweeter sweet spot

    Ah, the Audi S4. I do not assume I’ve ever met one which I have never appreciated. Sure, I’m nonetheless mourning the lack of the handbook transmission choice on this newest era, however the present mannequin retains all the opposite vital S4 hallmarks. With an even bigger serving to of energy, higher dealing with and smidge extra model than the usual A4, at the moment’s S4 stays a fantastically sorted and extremely succesful sport sedan. And for 2020, delicate updates sweeten the package deal just a bit extra.

    LikeMore aggressive stylingSnappy and intuitive infotainmentStrong and clean turbocharged engineExcellent experience and dealing with steadiness

    Don’t LikeLacking the handbookSteering could possibly be weightierLacks an actual aggressive exhaust observe

    More visible depth Like the whole 2020 A4 household, the S4 advantages from a wider single-frame grille, however with a honeycomb insert particular to the S autos. The decrease entrance air dams are extra aggressively formed than the usual A4’s, and my Glacier White metallic check automotive options much more angle with an non-obligatory Black Optic Package that throws in black exterior trim together with wicked-looking 19-inch V-spoke star wheels. It’s clear and enticing. What’s additionally clear and enticing? The S4’s cabin. It’s your typical Audi inside: merely laid out, intuitive to work via and constructed from quite a lot of high quality supplies. Major parts of the sprint and door panels are wrapped in leather-based, Alcantara is scattered all through, and even the hard-plastic surfaces feel and appear substantial. This S4 will get another sporty touches corresponding to a flat-bottom steering wheel, carbon fiber trim and stainless-steel pedals, however the sport seats are probably the most noteworthy. They look fancy with diamond stitching and are supremely comfy with beneficiant assist. They additionally provide a therapeutic massage operate, which I’m at all times glad to benefit from.

    The S4 can also be useful, with quite a lot of nooks and crannies up entrance to stash smaller objects in. There’s loads of house within the entrance for adults and there is serviceable actual property in rear, although when you roll three individuals deep in again, the poor schmuck within the heart should straddle a big heart transmission hump. Then when it is advisable to transfer stuff, there’s 12 cubic toes of house within the trunk, able to swallowing the products from all however probably the most out-of-control grocery procuring journeys. More tech The different main prong to the 2020 S4’s replace is housed inside the sprint. Audi’s MIB 3 system controls infotainment features via a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Compared with the outgoing system, it is 10 instances quicker, which is noticeable in how shortly it responds to inputs, completes vacation spot searches and calculates navigation routes. It’s straightforward to work via, visuals are crisp and the system is packed filled with options, corresponding to a gnarly 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio setup, Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

    Audi’s trick Virtual Cockpit can also be within the S4 with the 12.3-inch gauge cluster providing a number of shows. You can select between massive Google Earth imagery with 3D metropolis maps or an S Performance mode with a tach and speedo positioned entrance and heart, flanked by a lift gauge and lap timer.

    Audi’s MIB 3 infotainment system is fast and intuitive.
    Jon Wong/Roadshow
    The S4 can also be set as much as stop any moveable gadgets that come aboard from ever going lifeless. Passengers up entrance have USB-A and USB-C retailers, a wi-fi charging pad and a 12-volt socket inside arm’s attain. Riders in again have two USB-A ports and a 12-volt plug on the again of the middle console. Heck, there’s even a 12-volt outlet within the trunk. On the security expertise entrance, this S4 is flush with gear. It’s acquired adaptive cruise management, forward-collision warning with automated braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping help, a 360-degree digicam, rear cross-traffic alert and a head-up show. All-around performer Nothing in regards to the S4’s efficiency credentials change for the 2020 mannequin yr replace, which I’m not likely bummed about. The 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 349 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque remains to be its clean, punchy self, working with a fluid-shifting eight-speed automated. Use the Audi Drive Select system to pick the Dynamic setting for lag-free launches, getting the 3,847-pound sedan to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Healthy thrust is available all through everything of the rev band to zip away from stoplights and effortlessly merge onto expressways. The S4’s turbocharged V6 produces a wholesome 349 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.
    Jon Wong/Roadshow
    How do the Audi’s numbers stack up towards the competitors? Fairly properly, aside from horsepower. The BMW M340i xDrive and Mercedes-AMG C43 outgun it with 382 hp and 385 hp, respectively. In the torque division, the S4 is in the midst of the combo, barely edging previous the Bimmer’s 368 pound-feet of twist, however behind the Benz’s 384. As for 0-to-60-mph instances, they’re all within the low-to-mid 4-second vary with M340i the quickest at 4.1 seconds and C43 occupying the rear at 4.5 seconds. Fuel financial system within the S4 is appropriate, all issues thought of, returning an EPA-estimated 20 miles per gallon within the metropolis and 27 mpg on the freeway. Throughout every week of largely metropolis motoring, I noticed 21 mpg with my admittedly heavy proper foot. The solely small drivetrain nitpick I’ve is that I want the adjustable exhaust system had a barely louder and throatier setting. As is, the Present setting is probably the most boisterous with solely a low-key gurgle. Dynamically, the S4 nonetheless affords drivers a near-perfect center floor between efficiency and experience consolation. When you are within the temper to toss it exhausting via corners, put the adaptive suspension and the obtainable Dynamic Steering system into Sport for brisk turn-in and managed physique motions. I by no means push it actually exhausting, however the S4 shines throughout spirited drives, monitoring via bends with little physique lean, and it hangs on tight with the Bridgestone Potenza summer time tires. No doubt the non-obligatory torque-vectoring rear differential is incomes its preserve hustling the rear round, too. If you permit every thing in Sport for regular driving, affect harness is way from jarring, and the steering is not overly hefty. In reality, I want Audi would dial in just a little extra steering weight. Bridgestone Potenza summer time tires assist the S4 dangle on tight round corners.
    Jon Wong/Roadshow
    When you simply need to cruise, placing the S4’s chassis within the Comfortable setting is the ticket. There’s extra physique roll and the steering lightens and is not as fast to reply off heart, however damping for bumps will increase for a supple and quiet experience round city or buzzing down the interstate. The solely factor you may must get acclimated to earlier than having a very comfortable motoring expertise is the grabby brakes. The preliminary chunk is robust and requires just a little feeling-out interval earlier than you possibly can brake easily. How I’d spec it At $66,490 together with $995 for vacation spot, my range-topping S4 Prestige is packed to the gills with styling, infotainment and security tech goodies. Of course, meaning it comes with a backside line that is a far cry from its $50,895 base value. When constructing my S4, I’d go for the midrange Premium Plus that will get me must-haves corresponding to blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and a wi-fi charger together with the Virtual Cockpit tech. I really like the look of the $595 Glacier White metallic paint and $1,400 Black Optic Package. Toss within the $2,500 S Sport Package for the adaptive dampers and torque-vectoring diff and $1,150 for the Dynamic Steering to up dealing with prowess. Tack on $950 so I can rock out to the Bang & Olufsen sound system and that brings my Audi to a cool $59,990 out the door.  With all of the bells and whistles, this S4 check automotive punches in at $66,490.
    Jon Wong/Roadshow
    Sweet-spot sport sedan With the BMW M340i xDrive beginning at $57,690 and the Mercedes-AMG C43 starting at $55,950, the S4’s extra inexpensive pricing is one other constructive moving into its favor. The 3 Series is a sharper-handling specimen and the C-Class possesses a extra trendy cabin than the S4, however neither is as well-rounded. With peppy energy, spectacular experience and dealing with combine, clear and extra aggressive seems to be and cabin tech enhancements, the Audi stays probably the most full and compelling automotive of the bunch.

    Recent Articles

    How much RAM do you need in a laptop? Here’s how to figure it out

    Determining the specs for a new laptop (or a laptop computer improve) could be a delicate balancing act. You wish to spend sufficient so...

    How to Partition a hard drive – 2 efficient ways

    Partitioning your onerous drive makes managing the working system, information, and file codecs of every partition simpler. For instance, you possibly can set up...

    UGREEN Revodok Max 213 review: The only Thunderbolt 4 docking station you’ll ever need

    UGREEN is launching extra merchandise than Xiaomi today, and the Chinese accent maker is aggressively branching out into new classes. It debuted a 13-in-1...

    Hands on: UGREEN DXP4800 Plus

    Rather than a overview, it is a ‘hands-on’ of the UGREEN DSP4800 Plus. Our machine is likely to be outdated earlier than this {hardware}...

    How we test webcams at PCWorld

    Testing a webcam appears straightforward sufficient: Assemble a bunch of them, use them to take images or video, and examine the outcomes. But it’s...

    Related Stories

    Stay on op - Ge the daily news in your inbox