2021 Audi S4 Review

Name: 2021 Audi S4 Review
Brand: Audi
Price: 35495 USD

Audi S4 Prestige quattro Sedan Exterior Shown

Audi S4 Prestige quattro Sedan Exterior European Model Shown

+39

The Audi S4 excels at combining eye-opening performance with a refined ride, and it offers excellent all-day practicality and comfort. Unfortunately, Audi hasn't integrated its latest technology into the S4 as smoothly as we'd like.

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2021 Audi S4 Review

byTravis Langness^{Reviews Editor
Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.}

Pros

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

Cons

Interior storage is merely adequate
Touchscreen interface looks like an aftermarket add-on

What's new

Wireless functionality for Apple CarPlay
Premium Plus and Prestige trims are now equipped with a few features that were previously optional
Part of the fifth A4 generation introduced for 2017

Overview

The 2021 Audi S4 is a high-performance version of Audi's small sedan, the A4. Powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, the S4 pumps out 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. That's 148 horsepower more than the standard A4 and 88 more than the optional engine in the A4's upgraded 45 TFSI trim.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Audi S4 Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.89 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$206/mo

$159/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

More than just an A4 with some extra juice, the S4 adds a stiffer sport suspension and some upgraded interior materials to seal the deal. The extra performance doesn't require much of a sacrifice; the S4 is still a comfortable, quiet and easy-to-drive luxury sedan. For a full breakdown of the S4, where we cover everything from comfort to convenience, read our Expert Rating below.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Great

8.2

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8.5/10

How does the S4 drive? Our test car rocketed from 0 to 60 mph (with the help of launch control) in just 4.3 seconds. More impressive is the speed through the quarter-mile: It blazed through at 107 mph. The engine makes plenty of power everywhere and it sounds great doing it. This is one of the quickest sedans in the class.

Handling is just as impressive. The S4 combines quick and accurate steering with standard all-wheel drive for excellent stability. We measured 0.95g on the skid pad, and we're sure the S4 will impress novice and experienced drivers alike.

The S4's brakes offer good stopping power and excellent smoothness around town. But the noisy antilock braking system will raise some eyebrows (and heart rates) in panic-stopping situations due to the loud buzzing and intense vibrations from the antilock hardware. This is really the only performance demerit for the S4.

Comfort

9/10

How comfortable is the S4? The S4 is impressively comfortable. Driver fatigue, no matter the road, is minimal. The front seats are very supportive and comfortable, but we'd advise opting for seat ventilation because the nonventilated ones can get stifling on hot days.

The adaptive suspension is the way to go on the S4; it's only a bummer that it's optional. Comfort mode handles broken surface roads with ease, while Dynamic mode keeps the body in check even under the most spirited driving. The S4 is relatively silent at all speeds and well isolated from both road and wind noise. In fact, the S4 is so quiet and comfortable that you can forget you're driving a performance sedan.

Interior

8.5/10

How’s the interior? Well designed from the start, the S4 continues to be one of the easier sedans to use. Switches and controls are clearly labeled and work with pleasing precision. The 10.1-inch touchscreen, with Audi's newest infotainment software, is clear and relatively straightforward. Unfortunately, because of the S4's older interior design, the screen isn't well integrated and looks tacked on.

Getting into the S4 is easy, though taller rear passengers might need to duck. The driver will enjoy one of the best seating positions in the class. The supportive seats allow for plenty of adjustment, as does the nearly perfect steering wheel, and visibility to all sides is very good.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? Well-integrated technology has always been a highlight of any modern Audi. The S4 has Audi's newest touchscreen interface, and our test car was also equipped with the optional digital gauge cluster display known as Virtual Cockpit. While the touchscreen's graphics are sharp, the screen looks tacked on.

The optional Bang & Olufsen audio system's sound quality didn't blow us away, but the upgrade from the standard audio system is worth it. Wireless Apple CarPlay capability is standard.

We were less impressed by the S4's advanced driver aids. Many are not standard, a disappointment on a car at this price. On top of that, our test car's forward collision warning system was overly sensitive. On one occasion it made a rather eye-opening overreaction on an open highway with light traffic.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? Though the S4's trunk isn't large, the load height is reasonable and the cargo area is free of any intrusions or irregularities. The rear seats fold reasonably flat to accommodate larger items, but they must be released from the rear seat area as there aren't any remote releases in the trunk. Interior storage isn't abundant, but there's enough room to keep your phone, sunglasses and parking card well organized and small drinks free and clear of your hands while driving.

Got kids? There are easily accessible child seat anchors hidden below inconspicuous plastic covers. The decent-sized door openings and respectable rear legroom make it relatively easy to install both front- and rear-facing safety seats.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates that the Audi S4 returns 23 mpg in combined driving. That number puts it square in the middle of the all-wheel-drive versions of the BMW M340i (25 mpg) and the Mercedes-AMG C 43's (21 mpg). We drove our test S4 on our 115-mile evaluation route and managed a credible 24.5 mpg using 91 octane fuel.

Value

7.5/10

Is the S4 a good value? The S4 is built to the high standards that we've come to expect from Audi. Our test car's exterior trim and paint were flawless, and all interior components fit together well and operated with precision. We're less impressed with the cost of the S4: Our Prestige level test car stickered at more than $65,000. A base S4 starts around $50K but doesn't offer some desirable options, such as the S Sport package. In general, competitors are slightly better equipped for the money.

Warranties are pretty standard for the class with four years/50,000 miles for both bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage. BMW offers three years of free maintenance, which Audi does not, but you can prepay for future service visits when you purchase the S4.

Wildcard

9/10

The S4 is capable of covering most challenging roads with surprising speed. It is a forgiving and capable partner no matter your skill level. As an added bonus, the S4 is a sleeper; its conservative styling barely hints at the car's potential. It's only when driven hard that the car shows its true capability. This is a highly adaptable car with impressive road manners and performance capability.

Which S4 does Edmunds recommend?

In the past, we've recommended the S4's base trim, the Premium. It comes with a decent amount of standard equipment, and the other trim levels don't provide a performance upgrade. However, with some of the equipment changes for 2021, we'd recommend going with the midlevel Premium Plus. It gets a large suite of safety features as standard, along with Audi's excellent digital driver display, called Virtual Cockpit.

2021 Audi S4 models

The 2021 Audi S4 is available in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. All three come with a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (349 horsepower, 369 lb-ft) and an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard.

Premium
This base trim is well appointed with feature highlights that include:

Upgraded sport suspension and brakes (compared to the standard A4)
Sunroof
Leather and simulated suede upholstery
Heated front sport seats
10.1-inch touchscreen
Tri-zone automatic climate control
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration (wireless functionality for CarPlay)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)

Premium Plus
Stepping up to the Premium Plus trim adds:

Keyless entry
Digital instrument panel
Heated steering wheel
Wireless charging pad with signal booster
Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind or in front of the S4 when parking)
Surround-view camera system
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Audi and the car in front)
Lane keeping assist (steers the S4 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker without use of the turn signal)

The top-of-the-line Prestige trim comes with all of the above, plus:

Upgraded headlights with washers
Navigation system
Head-up display
Heated rear seats
Bang & Olufsen audio system

Key options for the S4 include:

Warm Weather package (ventilated front seats, rear window shades)
S Sport package (adaptive suspension, sport rear differential, red brake calipers)

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

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Audi S4 from 2008-2022.}

$847/yr

vs. $607/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

2.21x/yr

vs. 1.36x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

19.8%

vs. 10.5%
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Audi S4.

5 (73%)

4 (9%)

3 (9%)

2 (0%)

1 (9%)

4.4

22 reviews

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Most helpful consumer 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 …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Audi S4, so we've included reviews for other years of the S4 since its last redesign.

See all 22 reviews of the Audi S4

Write a vehicle review

2021 S4 Highlights

Trim:

Premium

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$49,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$206/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.0 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 the threat of a front collision, warns the driver, and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't act.
Audi Active Lane Assist: Alerts you if you start to drift out of your lane without signaling and can steer to help nudge you back.
Audi Connect: Includes a variety of connection services, such as roadside assistance. In an accident, emergency responders are contacted automatically.

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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2021 Audi S4 Review

2021 Audi S4 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Audi S4 Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.89 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which S4 does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Audi S4 models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Simply Fantastic! Coast to Coast! 2018 S4 Prestige

2018 vs 2010 Audi S4 Prestige

A joy to drive!

Amazing

2021 S4 Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Audi S4 Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.89 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}