2017 Audi S4 sedan new car review

Not everyone wants a performance car that is cranked to 11 all the time.

While heroic machines such as the Mercedes-AMG C63 and BMW M3 are more popular than ever before, their hard-core nature brings compromises to everyday liveability.

For those that want things a little more civilised, comfortable and subtle, there's a growing league of stealthy machines that straddle the space between buying a badge or a back breaker.

The Audi S4 is one of those, having been a mainstay of the middle ground sports sedan set up against its arch rival in the BMW 340i M Sport. Both of them now face stiffer competition from the likes of the Mercedes-AMG C43, Jaguar XE S and even Infiniti's Q50 and Lexus' IS350 F-Sport.

To stay head of the pack, Audi has recently introduced its latest S4 to Australian showrooms as the next extension of its sixth-generation A4 range.

WHAT DO YOU GET?

The S4 is offered in either sedan or station wagon - or Avant in Audi speak - body styles with the four-door we're testing costing $99,900 (plus on-road cost) while the Avant commands a $3000 premium.

For that, you get almost everything available in Audi's catalogue of luxury conveniences including 19-inch alloys, leather and Alcantara trim, tri-zone air conditioning, a fully-digital instrument panel and an 8.3-inch multimedia screen with Bluetooth, Wifi and smartphone mirroring connectivity as well as sat nav, digital radio and a 10-speaker audio system.

As for safety, the S4 comes fully loaded with a comprehensive suite of electronic driver aids beyond the protection of eight air bags, including radar cruise with stop-and-go functionality in heavy traffic, automated emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, blind spot and exit warnings, rear cross traffic braking and a 360-degree camera.

Our test vehicle was also fitted with a ($2950) quattro sport differential, the ($5600) Technik Package that adds full LED headlights, a head-up display and a 19-speaker Bang and Olufsen 3D sound system and the ($5900) S Performance Package that brings sportier front seats with diamond stitching and fine Nappa leather as well as a massage function, carbon fibre interior inlays and red brake callipers.

All Audi models are covered by a three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty while a pre-paid sevice plan is offered for $1620 covering the basics for the first three annual services or 45,000km, whichever comes first.

WHAT'S INSIDE?

Befitting its overall character, the S4's cabin is sporty and luxurious in equal measures and builds on the benchmark set by the regular A4 variants for their industrial presentation, faultless build quality and near-perfect ergonomics.

It's a beautiful cabin layout with a neat double-decker dashboard that compartmentalises everything neatly - from the multimedia screen that rises from the centre, the ventilation controls with digital temperature readouts in the rotating knobs in the middle above a series of buttons to activate various features and a centre console that houses a flat-topped gearlever which you can easily rest your hand on to use the rotary controller positioned in front of it.

The carbon fibre inlays look magnificent and not only break up the aluminium highlights but matches the high-tech feel generated by the Virtual Cockpit digital instrument display and racey red ambient lighting.

The front seats are comfortable and supportive, the driving position has plenty of adjustment to suit drivers of any size and there's decent small item storage, big door bins and enough power outlets to keep mobile devices charged.

Back seat passengers are treated to their own air conditioning controls, a bench seat that offers adequate leg and head room for two adults to travel comfortably and doors that have a wide-opening aperture that allows easy entry and egress.

UNDER THE BONNET

The S4 has an all-new 3.0-litre V6 that trades the previous model's supercharged induction system for a more modern twin-turbo set-up that offers increased performance as well as lower fuel consumption.

It's the same engine used by Porsche in its latest Panamera sports limousine, among other Volkswagen group models, and produces 260kW and 500Nm of torque on a band of revs between 1370-4500rpm - increases of 15kW and 60Nm respectively over its predecessor.

Combined with a new eight-speed automatic gearbox and the company's latest quattro all-wheel drive transmission, the S4 can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds and has a claimed average fuel economy of 7.7L/100km.

With multiple drive modes, the S4 can be either an effortless cruiser or a genuinely quick machine. In its default Comfort setting, the gearbox quickly shifts into higher gears while taking advantage of the low-rev pulling power to save fuel. At the opposite end of the scale, in the Sport settings, it revs quickly across the entire rev range with a gruff but subdued exhaust note. But is at its best in the middle revs with a strong surge between 2000-4000rpm that helps it bolt between the bends.

ON THE ROAD

Like the engine, the S4's overall driving character has a nice of mix of comfort and corner carving.

If you leave everything to its own devices, it is a genuinely luxurious executive sedan with a well-insulated cabin, good compliance from the suspension, light steering that makes it easy to drive around town and a seamless automatic transmission.

But when you want to have a bit of fun, the S4 is more than up for it. The combination of its lighter body construction, adaptive suspension, all-wheel drive grip, strong brakes and that powertrain produces a car that is easy to drive quickly with sure-footed, predictable handling.

The optional sports differential works well with the new, quicker-reacting all-wheel drive system to induce a more rear-biased stance when pushed to the limit, but it's only a must-have item if you're a serious driving enthusiast.

VERDICT

The S4 has always been a sleeper among the performance car ranks, and the latest-generation model is better in every conceivable area - it's faster, more efficient, safer, loaded with the latest technology and both a better luxury car and an underrated driver's machine.

It's still a wolf in sheep's clothing, but it has more bite and is wearing classier threads.

2017 Audi S4 Sedan price and specifications

Price: from $99,900 (plus on-road costs)

Engine: 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol

Power: 260kW at 5400-6400rpm

Torque: 500Nm at 1370-4500rpm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic, AWD

Fuel use:  7.7L/100km

The Rivals

Mercedes-AMG C43

Price: $101,900 (plus on-road costs)

Engine: 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol

Power: 270kW at 5500rpm

Torque: 520Nm at 2000rpm

Transmission: 9-spd automatic, AWD

Fuel use: 8.2L/100km

BMW 340i M Sport

Price: $89,900 (plus on-road costs)

Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 245kW at 5500rpm

Torque: 450Nm at 1380-5000rpm

Transmission: 8-spd automatic, RWD

Fuel use: 6.8L/100km

Jaguar XE V6 S

Price: from $105,065 (plus on-road costs)

Engine: 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrol

Power: 250kW at 6500rpm

Torque: 450Nm at 4500rpm

Transmission: 8-spd automatic, RWD

Fuel Use: 8.1L/100km

• For more information, visit our Audi showroom.