Audi S4 2023 Review

How much does the Audi S4 cost?

While not as popular as some of its European competitors, the 2023 Audi S4 does sit towards the more affordable end of the fast-sedan spectrum.

Priced from $106,200 plus on-road costs, the S4 sedan we’re testing here did once enjoy a decisive price advantage over its rivals and that’s still the case when compared to the latest Mercedes-AMG C 43 (from $134,900), but recent price hikes for the Audi and a substantial cut for the facelifted BMW M340i (from $104,900) means the two are now almost level-pegging.

The sedan is also more affordable than its wagon sibling, the S4 Avant, which accounts for the lion’s share of sales and asks a $2500 premium over its four-door counterpart.

Meanwhile, the closely related S5 range is priced from $113,200.

But for a touch over $100K, there’s little you’ll be left wanting for. In the case of our test car, which came fitted with Audi’s quattro sport differential ($2990), the as-tested price came to $109,190 plus ORCs.

For that money, standard equipment includes power-adjustable sports front seats with massage and heating, a head-up display, wireless phone charging, tri-zone climate control and a crisp Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound system.

Outside, our tester is finished in Navarra blue metallic (no-cost option) and accompanied by grey 19-inch alloy wheels, each adding to its low-key aesthetic. There’s also LED headlights and tail-lights, but unfortunately, you’ll have to fork out more for the adaptive Matrix type.

Inside, a light ‘Rotor’ grey leather interior makes it feel even classier and a little more mature. 

The Audi S4 sedan feels like the professional’s, or business type’s, car. Someone who doesn’t care to make a scene on their way to the next meeting, which they’re undoubtedly in a hurry to get to.

Audi Australia offers an industry-standard five-year warranty with unlimited kilometres and S4 buyers can purchase a Service Plan to cover the same period, which costs $3160 and requires visits to the workshop every 12 months or 15,000km. 

What are the safety and technology features on the Audi S4?

Where safety is concerned, the 2023 Audi S4 sedan goes without an ANCAP rating. The Audi A4 on which it is based did score five stars when it was tested in 2015, but that rating has now expired and was only applied to the four-cylinder models in any case.

Nevertheless, the S4 still makes a strong case for itself thanks to standard equipment such as eight airbags, front and rear parking sensors, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, tyre pressure monitoring and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function.

Those systems work seamlessly in the background, while inside the cabin a 10.1-inch touch-screen brings wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio, navigation and Audi Connect plus, which includes live traffic and weather updates along with other features.

You shouldn’t have any trouble navigating the big, colourful virtual cockpit display behind the steering wheel, however, although the infotainment unit is relatively large. Those with chunky fingers – or bad aim – will likely find the small icons on the narrow screen rather difficult to select on the move.

Elsewhere, delayed response from the reversing camera will force even the most confident reverse parkers to slow down, as the image lags at any speed above a toddler’s crawl.

Other than that, you’ll be hard-pressed finding much, if anything, to complain about, with the only convenience feature missing being an electric tailgate, which is nice to have but unlikely to be a deal-breaker.

What is the Audi S4 like to drive?

If it’s a ferocious, go-fast four-door you’re after, the 2023 Audi S4 sedan probably won’t hit the spot.

Sure, its turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 is more than capable of shoving you into the backrest when you pin the throttle, but the circa-$160K Audi RS 4 will be much more to your taste if a proper performance machine is what you’re after.

While the S4’s peak performance figures of 260kW of power and 500Nm of torque are impressive in isolation, it loses the numbers game against rivals when you consider the BMW M340i xDrive’s 285kW/500Nm and the Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC’s 300kW/500Nm.

Those numbers are reflected in the real world when you stack up claimed 0-100km/h sprints, which sees the Audi’s 4.7sec claim bettered by both the Merc (4.6sec) and the BMW (4.4sec).

Of course, it’s not all about straight-line speed and what the subtle S4 does really well is get power to the ground through its eight-speed automatic gearbox. Supreme handling and grip come from a combination of Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system and quattro sport differential.

The only hesitation you’ll find in the S4 is a bit of mild turbo lag before it shifts its weight to take off.

Adaptive dampers also come standard, bringing a comfortable ride that naturally errs on the firm side. But that’s precisely what you’ll want when you chuck it into its sporty Dynamic drive mode, where you can fling it around corners with nothing but confidence.

You’ll have to leave it in that drive mode for the best aural experience too, in what’s a pretty tranquil experience otherwise. Aside from some light tyre noise filtering into the subdued cabin on coarse-chip surfaces, the exhaust is at its loudest in Dynamic, but not enough to be offensive.

It’s also not bad on fuel, again, for a performance sedan, with our tester’s average fuel consumption sitting at 9.4 litres per 100km at the end of our seven-day test, which isn’t too far off Audi’s official claim of 8.6L/100km.

What is the Audi S4 like inside?

On the move, the 2023 Audi S4 sedan’s sports seats keep you nicely in place, while the plush quilted leather upholstery feels supple under your skin.

Hot weather will leave you a little sticky, though, and a ventilated seat option would be very welcome.

Even still, heated seats are nice to have when the weather permits, and the driving experience is made all the more pleasant thanks to lumbar support and a multi-stage massage feature. 

There’s plenty of vision in every direction, even with the driver’s seat in its lowest position, which wedges itself surprisingly low in the floor.

Those in the rear seat will be comfortable too, with good outwards vision and a decent amount of headroom and legroom.

As for storage around the cabin, some decent-sized door pockets are about all you’ll get, while a space-saver spare tyre makes way for 420 litres of cargo space, which isn’t bad and includes some cargo nets and storage hooks to keep items in place.

Should I buy an Audi S4?

The 2023 Audi S4 sedan is stylish yet understated, with beautiful on-road manners, outstanding dynamics and grip, and plenty of power on tap from the German maker’s turbocharged V6.

Even though plenty of Aussies shun the simplicity of a sedan in favour of higher-riding machines, there’s much to like about the everyday driveability, practicality and tech on offer here.

Not to mention performance, even if the S4 isn’t shouting it from the rooftops.

All told, the Audi S4 will be the right car to the right buyer, and that’s the only box it needs to tick.

2023 Audi S4 sedan at a glance:
Price: $106,200 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol
Output: 260kW/500Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 195g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested

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