2023 Audi S4 Sedan

Sedans with a bit of spice added to their engines are becoming increasingly popular; the idea of having a comfortable family cruiser that can prompt a naughty grin around a set of corners o r push you back in your seat down the straights remains an alluring prospect. The new Audi S4 Sedan is one of these, and with an unassuming demeanor, you may be forgiven for thinking it's a bland contributor to the sport sedans segment, which isn't true. Still, it seems to be getting on in years, especially against formidable rivals such as the brand-new W206 Mercedes-AMG C43 and the freshly updated BMW 3 Series. From the Bimmer stable, the Audi S4's natural competitors include the M340i xDrive model, but there's also the threat from home-grown rivals like Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing. But despite its age, the S4 is still a thoroughly competitive car and, although its 349-horsepower V6 might seem a bit thin on grunt compared to the huge outputs of some other contenders, the slick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission and quattro AWD grip ensures that it punches above its weight in performance terms. Will this be enough to keep it ahead of the pack?

The price of the new Audi S4 starts at $52,800 for the Premium before a $1,095 destination charge. The Premium Plus's price is $56,800. The top Prestige trim goes for $61,100. Fully loaded with options, the S4 will approach the $70,000 mark.

Audi has mastered suspension tuning and the days when S-badged Audis felt like they had cement-filled dampers are long gone. The S4 rides with a fluidity that belies its performance intentions, and the superior bump absorption, low noise levels, and excellent cabin comfort pull off the luxury vibe very well. Unfortunately, this creates the impression that the S4 is soft around the edges and partly justifies criticisms that it is not as exciting as more hardcore rivals. But you'll be pleasantly surprised when the first corner arrives because the S4 will not collapse into a whimpering mess. The grip is mightily impressive, damping perfectly judged, and body control resolute, allowing the S4 to blast through corners, completely at odds with its ordinarily relaxed demeanor.

The eight-speed automatic fires through the gears with alacrity, and the turbocharged V6's full 349 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque can be enjoyed thanks to the all-wheel-drive grip and suspension that breathes with the road instead of fighting it. The brake feel can be inconsistent though, the stoppers feeling a bit absentminded in press-on motoring, yet a touch sharp at low speeds.

It's the S4's ability to meld rapid point-to-point backroad blasts with everyday comfort and refinement that endears it to its owners and, despite its age, the depth of engineering and the sheer usability of the thing makes it a strong contender in its class. You won't have to make excuses for picking it, because it is highly competent in its own right. An M340i xDrive is similarly priced, faster, and arguably more exciting, while offering similar interior and far superior trunk space, so it's hardly surprising that many still see it as the class standard. The brand-new 402-hp AMG C43 might just upset the apple cart with its fresh design, larger interior, and strong engine, even if it's a four-pot. But rather more threatening to the Audi's aspirations to the throne is the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, which should be an RS rival, but comes in at an S4 Prestige price point and offers a storming 472 hp, RWD, and a manual gearbox. Among such accomplished rivals, the Audi's appeal appears limited, but to the informed few who appreciate its particular blend of talents, it remains one of the best. And if you needed more urging to short list it, safety reviews for the Audi S4 and A4 range are top-notch.

The base model isn't bad, and the top trim offers a wealth of standard equipment, but our choice has to be the mid-level Premium Plus trim. Not only does this model get access to most of the top trim's features, but it also boasts enough as standard to make it a great daily companion. With a 12.3-inch configurable TFT driver info display, wireless charging, keyless entry, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, and a better interior thanks to leatherette surfaces in some additional places, this model is attractive, comfortable, and well equipped. You may wish to add some features like navigation, but even in standard form, this is the pick of the bunch.