Our view: 2016 Audi S4

Source: Our view: 2016 Audi S4

Verdict: The 2016 Audi S4 is an aging but still very entertaining sports sedan. It’s not as sharp-edged or wild as the top sport sedans in its class, but it’s a lot easier to live with on a day-to-day basis, with a comfortable and well-built interior, an easy-to-use multimedia system and a design that goes under the radar.

Against the competition: While the S4 isn’t hot enough to take on super-high-performance models like the BMW M3 or Cadillac ATS-V, it pairs well with premium versions of those models like the BMW 340i xDrive, Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG and the Cadillac ATS 3.6 all-wheel drive.

Audi will offer a new and updated 2017 S4 later this year, but the current S4 is still an impressive machine worth one last look before it rides off into the automotive sunset. With a powerful supercharged V-6 engine, six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, sports suspension and Audi’s famous Quattro four-wheel drive, it’s a legitimate sports sedan. Changes from the 2015 to 2016 model are minimal given the upcoming replacement and are limited to minor changes in trim packages (see if you can spot differences here). Competition in this category is fierce, with almost every major luxury automaker on the planet offering hotter versions of their basic compact luxury sedans. If a new S4 is on the way, is it worth buying the current one for yourself?

If you’re a fan of brand styling continuity, you’ll love the 2016 S4. Heck, you’ll love almost every Audi. The S4 received a minor refresh for 2013, which itself was only a minor refresh from 2010. The looks are still clean and attractive, but as we’ve already established, it doesn’t differ that much from the base A4, especially when you get the A4 with the S-Line trim. It’s a different approach than some other automakers for their beefed up sport sedans, as the S4 blends in with the rest of the lineup, touting its more exclusive status only with subtle styling tweaks and a few S4 badging on the trunk and grille. Your best way to spot an S model is by the matte silver mirror caps, which you won’t find on smaller Audi models.

Comparing the S4 to louder sports sedans like the BMW M3 or Cadillac ATS-V is unfair – it’s nowhere near as powerful or visceral as those two. But it’s also not as expensive as one of these cars. It’s a performance upgrade over the competent but unexciting regular A4, which more closely resembles the BMW 340i or Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG. A supercharged 333-hp 3.0-liter V-6 engine delivers ample boost when needed that’s just a quick press of the go pedal away, with plenty of power throughout the rev range. A six-speed manual is standard, and it’s a smooth shifting unit with a light clutch and feel, although throws are a little long. An excellent seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is available as an option. The S4 might not be the car I would choose for track-day service, but it would be the one I would pick for a daily commute that needed a beef.

The standard Audi Drive Select feature adjusts engine response, exhaust noise and power steering at the touch of a button, but not suspension harshness – you’ll need to spend a little more money for the magnetically adjustable shock absorbers, which my car didn’t come with. The S4’s suspension is sportier tuned than the A4’s, but it’s not harsh or in the least bit hard to live with. My week with one included freeway cruises and potholes in downtown Chicago, and I’ve never had a complaint about how the S4 absorbed it all. The price you pay is handling and steering response, which isn’t as sharp as some rivals like the 340i, but the S4’s approach doesn’t weigh you down over longer distances. Interestingly, for around the same price as this S4, you can opt for a loaded S3, which includes the magnetic dampers and pretty much every bells and whistles. It’s tighter sized but feels noticeably sharper and harsher despite a much smaller motor.

The S4’s supercharged V-6 gets decent, if not stellar, fuel economy. The manual-transmission car is EPA-rated at 17/26/20 mpg city/highway/combined, and it averaged 19.9 mpg during my week with it, which included a 500-mile jump from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Chicago back, even with a lot of city traffic. That’s a perfectly acceptable result considering how I’ve driven the S4 over and over again – with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm. Competitor ratings are all more efficient than the S4, with the BMW 340i xDrive at 20/29/23mpg with manual transmission. The Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG with automatic transmission is rated at 21/29/24 mpg and the Cadillac ATS 3.6 all-wheel drive at 19/28/22 mpg.

The cabin has the high quality we’ve come to expect from Audi, with solid materials all put together in a way that makes it feel like much of the cockpit is milled from a single block of plastic and metal. While the designs might look a little too familiar, no one can argue with their upscale feel. Audi interiors have looked like this for a decade, but they still feel class-leading in fit, finish and material quality. However, it might be time for some more adventurous styling.

The comfort of the sports seats in the S4 cannot be disputed either. They look aggressively reinforced, but slip them on and you’ll be surprised at how flat they feel. This allows a wider variety of body shapes to be comfortable in it, but again reinforces the idea that the S4 isn’t an M3 or ATS-V competitor – if you’re really trying to throw it around hard, nothing will hold you in place and Job.

Taller drivers may also have an issue with the sunroof invading headroom, even with the seat bottom adjusted to its lowest position. The rear seat is suitable for shorter journeys or children; Two adults will find it cramped in terms of legroom and three will find it downright uncomfortable in every dimension. The outside view is excellent all around; The S4 appears to have slimmer pillars than many other modern sedans and a low waistline.

The S4’s MMI multimedia system is still one of the most intuitive on the market, and it’s actually a shame that newer Audi versions aren’t quite as good as this previous-gen system. The center dial is flanked by four additional buttons that correspond to the four corners of the display screen, making function selection a breeze. Dedicated mechanical buttons are also present for almost every function controlled by the MMI, including one for Audi Drive Select, a feature that has disappeared in some of the newer Audis, much to our disappointment.

My test car featured Bang & Olufsen’s impressive optional sound system, which comes in the technology package along with navigation and a reversing camera. The B&O audio is excellent, with both clarity and a deep bass response that makes almost any music sound real and alive. What’s not so hot is that this model from Audi still uses a proprietary smartphone connector (using an old Apple 30-pin connector in the case of my test car) located in the glove box, rather than a simple USB connector. This has changed in recently updated Audis, but in this case remains a nuisance when trying to connect a smartphone. Despite these inconveniences, the technology package is a worthwhile addition considering the navigation system also provides Google Earth mapping for a realistic position display.

I’m always amazed at how much luggage almost any Audi can fit, and the S4 was no exception. He swallowed three large suitcases in the rear without complaint, and if required, more space is available thanks to the rear seats that can be folded down as standard. The S4 offers 12.4 cubic feet of cargo space back there, which is on par with its rivals. The Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG comes in at 12.6 cubic feet, while the BMW 340i tops them out at 13.0 cubic feet. Only the Cadillac ATS is a bit cramped with 10.4 cubic feet of trunk space.

The S4 earned an overall five-star rating in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s crash tests. The S4’s range of electronic safety equipment isn’t as extensive as some recently updated models, and like most German luxury vehicles, these are almost exclusively paid options. Most of them are included in the $4,000 tech package, including a rear-view camera, blind-spot monitor, and parking sensors. See all of the standard equipment here.

The S4 starts at $50,125 including destination charge and includes a significant amount of standard equipment, such as power sport seats and climate control. Add the eye-catching Misano Red Pearl paint for $575, the Technology Pack for $2,300 (with a $1,700 credit off the $4,000 list price), and 19-inch wheels for $800 Add that and you’re up to a not unreasonable $53,800. That’s not the S4’s price limit, however, as it doesn’t include an automatic transmission, the magnetic damper package, adaptive cruise control or the rear sport differential. The total bill for a loaded S4 can exceed $66,400.

The S4 can compete well with direct competitors. The BMW 340i, for example, has a similarly powerful 320-hp twin-turbo straight-six engine, optional all-wheel drive, and a starting price of just $1,330 less than the S4. Just like the S4, that price goes up quickly once you start adding options like sport suspension, nicer leather interior (vinyl is still standard, believe it or not), and safety gear. Load up the BMW and you’ll walk out the door for around $63,000, slightly less than the S4. The Mercedes-Benz C450 starts a little higher at $51,725, but comes with a 362-horsepower V6 and a standard seven-speed automatic transmission (but also without a standard leather interior). The options are a bit crazy though, with the possibility of picking one up to nearly $75,000 if you’re not careful. The bargain of the bunch is the Cadillac ATS 3.6 with a 335 hp naturally aspirated V6; All wheel drive; and a standard eight-speed automatic transmission for a low starting price of $44,335. And unlike the Benz and BMW, the Caddy has a leather interior and a reversing camera. Compare all four competitors here.

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