It is human nature, not to mention a by-product of capitalism, to need the most productive when offered a choice of options. The 2024 Audi S4, the most productive compact luxury sports sedan; it’s not even the most productive Audi it’s capable of building, given that the RS4 has been absent from our shores for far too long. (The sooner we let the momentum for forward fade, the better. )
But the S4 is special because it points to a gray domain that few cars recognize. It’s simply sumptuous and comfortable enough for commuting or long trips; lively enough for fun road trips that possibly won’t leave you wishing you’re behind the wheel of anything else; and eye-catching enough to impress enthusiasts. In fact, about that last part: my tester got as much attention as anything else in the Alamo lot. But that’s what a genuine sleeper should do, right?
The 2024 Audi S4 Prestige tested here is the equipment point presented for the B9 S4, a car that has been on the roads since 2016 and was refreshed in 2020. In other words, there’s most likely a replacement on the horizon. This generation was the sedan’s 3. 0-liter turbocharged V6 that made 349 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, exerting power at all four corners, as is tradition at Audi, through an eight-speed ZF automatic car. This Prestige model also added optional torque-vectoring sport differential on the rear axle to reduce understeer to the limit.
Nothing about the powertrain looks old, but the same can’t be said for the S4’s exterior. Right: when I found out that I was comparing this car, I had a symbol in mind. Of course, I was expecting something sober, mature, and minimalist. But even for someone who hates the garish looks of BMW’s newer models, the S4 smoothed things out too much. Maybe it’s the chronically cloudy weather of southeastern Pennsylvania this time of year that didn’t throw that gray S4 with the most productive smoothness. Or, frankly, not at all gentle at all.
There are sleepers, but the S4 is visually comatose. I think the black finish of the Prestige does more harm than clever in a somewhat dark example like this. To be fair to Audi, the S4 doesn’t usually come with the affordable 10-wheeled spokes you see here; They were installed on Bridgestone Blizzaks as part of a set of winter wheels and tires.
Thankfully, things are much better on the inside, and I still don’t have anything good to say about the S4’s interior. The red stitching on the seats and steering wheel is due to the Audi Sport Appearance Package, which also adds carbon fiber. Molding covering the dashboard. Normally, I don’t like carbon fiber, but I do like this carbon fiber. It captures reflections in an orderly manner.
The S4’s calling card is battery life, and I don’t mean refueling. Need something comfortable, quiet, and simple on the Long Island Highway?The S4 can do it. He’s also in a position to dance whenever you want, especially without breaking your spine if you’re splurging on adaptive shocks.
Now, the Prestige doesn’t come with those shocks by default. They’re part of the S Sport package, with the aforementioned red rear differential and brake calipers for $2,500. This S4 also has the $1,500 Dynamic Steering System, which adjusts the steering ratio. depending on the context. Think heavier at top speeds, lighter, and more direct when parking. It’s a divisive choice, and while I can’t say I drove the S4 without it, I enjoyed it. Even in its lightest setting, the orientation remains communicative. Maximum response; Low effort – it’s an attractive combination for a car like this. We’ll get to the pricing component later.
Considering what the S4 (i. e. not an RS4) purports to be, there’s enough punch and grip here for all the long-term homeowners out there who already have threads over Stage 3 bits flagged in their browsers. The S4 reaches 100 km/h from a standstill in 4. 4 seconds according to Audi, and although I didn’t take out the stopwatch myself, I believe in it. There’s also no note in the sleek eight-speed gearbox. In a week of driving, I didn’t feel any obligation to interfere and use the paddles, unless you check if they worked. The logic of the gearbox is up to the task and, of course, the driving modes allow you to make the transmission behave more or less aggressively, in conjunction with the throttle response, depending on your whim.
Really, my only court cases are minor: the turbo V6 has a dull but high-pitched hum that I don’t particularly like, and the brake pedal is a bit fiddly for my liking. It’s also not a deal-breaker.
The S4 is a very user-friendly car to live in. The interior is comfortable, and since it’s neither the latest nor the flashiest thing from Audi, there’s no shortage of physical buttons either. The sight lines around the A-pillars are excellent; A favorable driving position literally helps the sedan feel smaller and more maneuverable than it is, especially in tight spaces. Many trendy cars are bunkers, so Audi deserves some praise for designing a vehicle with humans in mind.
All S4s are supplied with massaged front seats, which I was certainly very excited to see when I received the car. If I can go back in time, I would save myself this disappointment; There’s definitely something moving the quilting, but it doesn’t really look planned or past. At least thrones are comfortable on their own.
Audi’s MMI interface also lacks smart notes, with its busy menus and undeniable features hidden in scrolling pages and pages. And while it’s not entirely the automaker’s fault, Apple CarPlay’s wireless implementation here is flawed, as it is in so many other cars. During one trip, MMI kept connecting and disconnecting from my iPhone cyclically every 10 seconds or so, and plugging in the cable didn’t fix the problem.
The 2024 Audi S4 starts at $55,595, adding a destination fee of $1,095. The two smartest models, Premium Plus ($58,595) and Prestige ($62,895), offer interior comfort exclusively. Premium Plus loads to Audi’s Virtual Cockpit toolset show (the base model has nicer physical dials), 360-degree cameras, a Bang sound. system
Meanwhile, the S4 Prestige we have here gains matrix LED headlights, a head-up display, integrated MMI navigation, heated rear seats, and even more LEDs in the cabin. I have to be fair to you: the only feature I would choose What would really be sad to lose is the interior lights. In fact, they look cute.
But you’ve probably already figured out the problem: For the upgrades that really make a difference (adaptive dampers, play differential, and dynamic steering, if you will), you’re spending an extra $4,000, all included. Trim package that’s a snoozefest ($1,000) and the sporty interior remedy consisting of red stitching and carbon inlays ($900), and perhaps it’s no surprise that this particular Prestige comes in at $69,340. It’s pretty much the most expensive S4 you can buy.
And if it were my money, I’d give it up almost entirely. A basic S4 still has leather seats that can massage you, scream loudly, even if they’re not very smart about it. It’s a lovely car, and all that. What you want to be an excellent all-weather tourer right now is the adaptive dampers (which you and your passengers will appreciate for other reasons) and the other torsion-vectored. There’s his sports sedan that does it all for over $58,000.
At this price, comparing the Mercedes-AMG C43 at $61,050, the BMW M340i at $58,595, and the Lexus IS 500 at $60,520, in ascending order of number of cylinders, of course. The S4 also sits astride the $48,000 four-cylinder CT4-V. and the $62,000 six-cylinder CT4-V Blackwing, which notably still has 3 pedals.
That is one of the attractions of this segment: each selection has a unique propulsion system that profoundly shapes its character. The S4 is as technologically complex as the C43 with its turbocharged four-cylinder and F1-derived technology, nor as driver-centric as the M340i inline-six. Nor can you count on the timeless charm of a manual gearbox or V8 to make up for all your shortcomings. It’s the honest, unpretentious pricing game — the V6 of sports sedans, if you will.
The Audi S4 has an EPA rating of 21 mpg city and 29 highway, which I found to be a bit conservative. I hit 31 mpg on that long drive with the LEL I mentioned earlier. Mind you, this was in convenience mode, with the automatic transmission. stop/start performing your task on local roads. The S4 is very receptive to efficient driving, which is a smart quality for a multi-purpose sedan.
Here’s how it compares to the rest of the competitive set. Note that officially, the M340i’s figures are replaced based on the number of drive wheels.
Aside from an incredibly understated exterior, there’s not much not to like about the 2024 Audi S4. What it lacks in drama and sheer power, it makes up for in everyday convenience and thousands of savings compared to most of its rivals.
If you prioritize functionality in the purchase order, end up with a fairly budget-friendly luxury sedan that I think will appeal to any enthusiast on a casual trip or weekend getaway. All I ask is that you get yours in one color, so I do it in traffic.
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