2018 Audi S4 Review

Name: 2018 Audi S4 Review
Brand: Audi

Price Range: $28,990 - $32,990

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Appraise My 2018 Audi S4

Audi S4 model years

Audi S4 for Sale

Edmunds' Expert Review

by Kurt Niebuhr

Pros

Turbocharged V6 provides strong acceleration
Poised handling gives you plenty of confidence
Modern and well-thought-out interior
Quiet and relaxed over long distances

Cons

Interior storage space is merely adequate

What’s new

The Audi S4 has been completely redesigned for 2018.

Vehicle overview

Fully redesigned for 2018, the Audi S4 has wasted no time in making a powerful statement of intent. This new S4 pushes to the top of its class with more refined and subtle styling, a thoroughly modern interior and exhilarating performance.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Conway, AR

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2018 Audi S4
Premium Plus quattro Sedan
$21,888
great price
- 100,355 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use
- 21 City / 30 Hwy MPG
- VMax Cars (289 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Richardson, TX
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
24 Combined MPG (21 City/30 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WAUB4AF43JA073529
Stock: 073529
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 05-27-2025
2018 Audi S4
Premium Plus quattro Sedan
$28,699
fair price
- 63,420 miles
- 1 accident, 2 owners, personal use only
- 21 City / 30 Hwy MPG
- European Motors (292 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Plano, TX
2018 AUDI S4 3.0T Premium PlusNavarra Blue Metallic ExteriorRotor Gray Interior63,420 MilesTexas OwnedNavarra Blue Metallic ($575)Navigation P...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
24 Combined MPG (21 City/30 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WAUB4AF49JA116397
Stock: 116397
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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From a quiet, comfortable and well-thought-out interior to captivating driving dynamics, there's something for everyone. We also like the S4's slick integration of the latest technology. Compared to the BMW 340i and Mercedes AMG C43, the 2018 Audi S4 moves to the forefront.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

8.5 / 10

It's hard to imagine a more capable, comfortable and well-executed small sport luxury sedan than the 2018 Audi S4. Performance, comfort and technology are all clothed in unassuming yet stylish bodywork. For 2018, it's our favorite.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2018 Audi S4 Premium Plus Sedan (turbo 3.0L V6 | 8-speed automatic | AWD).

Scorecard

Overall	8.5 / 10
Driving	9.0
Comfort	9.0
Interior	8.5
Utility	7.5
Technology	8.5

Driving

9.0

The breadth of performance makes the S4 a true gem in this class. With stout acceleration, ample traction and its impressive ability to handle quick directional changes, the S4 is a match for anything in its class. Occasional brake fade seems to be the only mark against the Audi.

Acceleration

9.0

From a standstill, the S4 responds a little leisurely. But keep your foot in it and a moment later the S4 is accelerating fiercely. In our testing, which utilized the S4's launch control, the S4 blasted to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. That's plenty of power for everyday driving.

Braking

8.0

The pedal is firm but easy to modulate in normal driving, and you'll have confidence in the brakes for enthusiastic driving as well. There's sports-car-worthy performance here, with stops from 60 mph in just 105 feet. But track testing revealed a noisy ABS and brake fade after multiple panic stops.

Steering

8.5

There are variable steering efforts available. All are accurate and well matched to their respective setting. Feedback can be lacking, even under spirited driving, but when pushed to the limit, the S4 communicates the available front grip quite well.

Handling

8.5

The S4's sport rear differential, part of the S Sport package, enhances the S4 enthusiastic turn-in. Even sports cars would have a hard time matching the S4's pace on a tight, twisty road. Longer sweepers, however, tax the Audi's front tires to the point of moderate understeer.

Drivability

9.0

While the eight-speed automatic can be a little too eager to upshift in Drive, you can easily fix that by selecting the Sport mode. The stout V6 and adjustable drive modes allow the Audi to be adaptable to all conditions.

Comfort

9.0

The S4 delivers performance and luxury in equal amounts. Driver fatigue, no matter the road, is at a minimum, and the S4 manages to strike a fine balance between capability and usability.

Seat comfort

9.0

The S Sport front seats are wonderful examples of very supportive yet nonintrusive seating. The front seats offer heating but not ventilation. The rear seats are more than adequately comfortable for a sedan of this size, allowing adults to be comfortable on longer trips.

Ride comfort

9.0

The optional Sport Adaptive Damping is the way to go on the S4. Comfort mode handles rough and broken road surfaces with aplomb, while Dynamic mode keeps the body in check even under the most spirited driving.

Noise & vibration

9.5

The S4 is relatively silent at all speeds, well isolated from both road and wind noise. Only under hard acceleration does the engine's pleasing V6 snarl become prominent. Tire noise is minimal, which is a pleasant surprise for summer-rated tires.

Climate control

9.0

Clear, self-explanatory and easy to use, the S4's three-zone climate interface sets an example for the class. The pressure-sensitive buttons seem like unnecessary flair, but they still work without delay. It's refreshing to see climate control not buried in an on-screen menu.

Interior

8.5

From the moment you open the door, you'll be struck by the S4's cohesive and easy-to-use cabin design. Ergonomics and style are all at the top of their class.

Ease of use

9.0

It's hard to argue with an Audi interior — controls are clear, logically arranged and consistent in both look and feel. The configurable instrument panel does take some time to learn, but it presents a wide array of information. Audi's MMI becomes intuitive after only a few uses.

Getting in/getting out

7.0

Even with the wonderfully supportive sport seats, the S4 is as easy to get in and out of as any other small luxury sedan. Taller rear-seat occupants might have to duck their head to clear the roofline, but there is ample door opening for a graceful entry and exit.

Driving position

9.5

With the combination of the sport front seats and the S4's exceptionally ergonomic and highly adjustable steering wheel, drivers of all sizes will be able to find a suitable position within a few seconds. Driver fatigue is unlikely to ever be an issue. Definitely a benchmark.

Roominess

7.5

Front-seat occupants have ample head-, leg- and shoulder room. While taller rear-seat passengers might find it a tight fit behind a taller driver, two passengers would be comfortable for moderate distances, which is on par for not only the class but for most midsize sedans.

Visibility

9.0

Bucking the trend of high beltlines and even higher trunks, the S4 is an example of a modern sedan that offers good visibility. Blind spots are minimal.

Quality

9.0

All-around build quality is excellent and on par with what we've come to expect from Audi. There are no unsightly connections, welds or hinges. The brushed aluminum interior trim does look and feel plasticky, but that's the only letdown.

Utility

7.5

While performance is the key draw to the S4, you're still getting the same utility as the regular A4 sedan. There's a suitable amount of trunk space and storage.

Small-item storage

7.0

Storage isn't abundant, but there's enough room to keep your phone, sunglasses, parking card and drinks free and clear of your hands while driving.

Cargo space

8.0

Though the trunk isn't overly large, the load height is reasonable, and the cargo area is free of any intrusions or irregularities.

Child safety seat accommodation

7.5

Easily accessible LATCH anchors are available for the rear seats and the normal size door opening makes access less of an inconvenience.

Technology

8.5

The S4 fits right in with other offerings from Audi in its excellent integration of technology, both entertainment- and safety-related. Modern and easy to use, the S4's systems seem wholly integrated rather than being an afterthought.

Audio & navigation

9.5

The Bang & Olufsen audio system is excellent, capable of handling a wide variety of music and volume with exceptional clarity. Navigation utilizes Google Earth and is viewable on the center-mounted display as well as in the S4's Virtual Cockpit.

Smartphone integration

9.0

Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, but the native Audi systems are so good that all of our drivers preferred not to use their phones for anything other than Bluetooth audio.

Driver aids

7.5

Along with a not-too-intrusive and easily defeatable stability control, Audi also offers its Pre Sense predictive system that offers maximum braking performance when an accident is anticipated. Rear and side assists, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control are available at extra cost.

Compare 2018 Audi S4 trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2018 Audi S4 models

The 2018 Audi S4 is a five-passenger luxury sport sedan that is the high-performance version of the A4 sedan. It is available in either Premium Plus or Prestige trim levels. Both have a powerful, turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (354 horsepower, 369 pound-feet of torque). All-wheel drive is standard, as is an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Standard features for the Premium Plus trim include 18-inch wheels with summer performance tires, automatic LED headlights, automatic wipers, power-folding mirrors with heating, a panoramic sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and ignition, tri-zone automatic climate control, leather and simulated suede upholstery, power front seats (with heating and massage functions), driver-seat memory settings, 40/20/40-split folding rear seats, auto-dimming mirrors and interior ambient lighting.

On the technology front, you also get Bluetooth, a 7-inch infotainment display, a rearview camera, a Wi-Fi hotspot, remote control via a smartphone app, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium surround-sound audio system with a CD player, satellite and HD radio, two USB ports and dual SD card slots. Additional safety features include low-speed forward collision warning and mitigation, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and Audi Connect Care emergency telematics.

The Prestige trim includes all of the above, along with a virtual instrument panel display, streaming internet radio apps, remote vehicle monitoring via a smartphone app, a bigger 8.3-inch infotainment display, a navigation system, a tracepad feature for infotainment input and a top-down parking camera system. All of these items are available as options on the Premium Plus trim.

Other options include the S Sport package (red brake calipers, adaptive suspension dampers and sport rear differential); the Warm Weather package (ventilated front seats and extended premium leather upholstery); an adaptive steering system; and a heated steering wheel. The Prestige trim is eligible for the Driver Assistance package that adds traffic-adaptive cruise control, a traffic sign reader, lane departure warning and intervention, and automatic high beams.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Arkansas

$180/mo

$148/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

2.5/5Average

#61 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$847/yr

vs. $607/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Frequency

2.21x/yr

vs. 1.36x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Severity

19.8%

vs. 10.5%
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Audi S4 Owner Reviews

4.5

11 reviews

5(82%)

4(9%)

3(0%)

2(0%)

1(9%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Simply Fantastic! Coast to Coast! 2018 S4 Prestige

Chris, 07/24/2017

2018 Audi S4 Prestige quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

Coming from a 328i and being a BMW fan in general I was very skeptical, with high expectations, for the S4 and I felt like I was taking a risk when I purchased this car. Looking back, I honestly feel I could not have made a better decision. This car is simply amazing in every way. I recently drove this car coast to coast from New Jersey to San Diego and had plenty of time to break it in. …

2018 vs 2010 Audi S4 Prestige

Twowheelsgood, 08/10/2017

2018 Audi S4 Prestige quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

My 2018 Audi S4 (Sport, Cold Weather, and Driver Assistance packages, Dynamic Steering, Nappa leather, 19" wheels, carbon inlays) just passed 60,000 miles so I'm rewriting the whole new review. This car replaced our 2010 Audi S4 Prestige (7A) and we cross-shopped the Mercedes C43 AMG and BMW 340i xDrive. For the right buyer, that is someone looking for a highly competent real-world … daily, this is a near-perfect car. It is plenty quick for the street (4.3 sec to 60), has strong brakes that are not grabby, and good handling helped by the torque-vectoring diff to give bit of rotation that doesn't feel too artificial or unpredictable. The suspension is supple and allows just enough body roll to give a nice sense of loads and the car has high limits (0.99 g). A sportier suspension would eliminate the roll, but at the expense of brittleness and the sensation of cornering. Steering is accurate, if numb, and has good on-center feel. A sportier exhaust might be more entertaining at times, but I think they judged it well enough, so it makes a decent sound without droning. The cabin is outstanding, and I much prefer it to the latest generation of Audis and BMWs. The seats are adjustable, supportive for me (5'7", 150 lb), and comfortable for long trips. The dash has the perfect sport layout, namely a central round tach with digital speedo and gear position in the middle. The Bang and Olufsen sound system is very good, though not exceptional. Compared to my 2010 (B8) S4, the new B9 car has far better suspension compliance and less grabby brakes. Our B8 had the DCT, which was more engaging than the ZF 8-speed in the B9, but put the car at risk of costly repairs. Our DCT started misbehaving around 40,000 miles and various low-cost "repairs" like reprogramming did not cure it. I felt lucky to trade it in before facing a Mechatronic replacement. Tuning of the ZF is decent and the peace of mind is worth the lost character. Over 60,000 miles following the factory maintenance schedule, our car has had zero mechanical problems. With mostly highway driving, the lifetime average fuel consumption has been 29 mpg. Consumption in the teens is easily possible if you hoon it. There are few cons, one of which one is serious. In any mode other than Dynamic, the car can be very slow to respond to strong throttle inputs. This can be dangerous if traffic conditions require an immediate burst of acceleration. Tubro lag might be contributing, but I think the main issue is with transmission and accelerator pedal programming. Now that I understand it, I flip to Dynamic mode whenever I anticipate a need for best throttle response, like merging traffic or in some intersection crossings. This is easily done by giving the shift lever a second tug from D. My minor complaint is with poor backup camera image quality. That is compensated by the overhead view that works well. My only non-OEM changes were fitting Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires and getting aftermarket 18" wheels fitted with Nokian Hakkapelitta winter tires. Both seem like good choices. The OEM Continental summer tires may have had better dry grip, but the Michelins work better in wet and cool conditions and seem to give a bit more feel. Overall, this is a fantastic car fro the street. From my n=1 experience, buying a used B9 would probably be safe. If I was buying a new car to replace it today , I would probably go with the new BMW M340i which is better in many ways but suffers from iDrive 8. As I'm approaching retirement and will be driving more for fun and less for necessity, I might try to replace our S4 with a new RS3 once the former passes 100,000 miles and if I can snag the latter without dealer markup. * Acceleration and cornering numbers from a 2018 Car and Driver review.

A joy to drive!

Robert, 08/20/2017

2018 Audi S4 Premium Plus quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

As advised by Edmunds, going with Premium Plus and adding Technology package and S Sport Package seemed to be the best value. Coming from 21 years of driving BMWs, I was doing a lot of research on why change. But with technology platforms changing so fast, I wanted to keep an open mind. It was a surprise that Audi S4 came out on top for me after two test drives and a lot of research. …

Amazing

K Rein, 08/16/2017

2018 Audi S4 Premium Plus quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

I purchased the S4 a couple months ago after researching many other similar vehicles, to include BMW and MB. I came from a 2011 Infinite G37X and while I loved that car, you really cannot compare the two. The Audi is simply the best vehicle I have ever driven. My S4 has the Napa leather package and the S Sport package which I highly recommend. This car handles amazing, it actually …

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2018 Audi S4 videos

2018 Audi S4 Model Review

Extreme competition can make shopping for the right compact German sport sedan a daunting task. Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz all offer compelling vehicles at similar prices, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. In this video, we focus on things you should know about the Audi S4, which is one of our favorites in the segment.

2018 S4 Highlights

Trim:

Premium Plus quattro

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$51,400
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$180/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the S4 models:

Audi Pre Sense City: Detects if a front collision is likely and warns you if you don't react quickly enough. Can also apply the brakes automatically.
Audi Active Lane Assist: Warns if you begin drifting out of your lane without signaling and nudges you back in line if you don't react.
Audi Side Assist: Informs you if there are vehicles in your blind spots and audibly warns you if you attempt to change lanes.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.9%

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