2019 Audi S4

The S4 takes the Audi recipe for small cars and adds a generous helping of performance. The automaker has gathered some of the segment’s most advanced technology inside of a tastefully elegant cabin.

The 2019 Audi S4 is a luxury sports sedan with compact dimensions and room for five people. There are three trim levels available: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. All models carry a turbocharged V6 engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Similar cars worth cross-shopping include the sportier trims for the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

The S4 is mostly unchanged for 2019.

Exterior

As expected, the 2019 Audi S4 has S Line details for a more athletic appearance than the A4 it’s based upon. Among the highlights for the S4 are more aggressively sculpted front and rear ends. They’re the perfect accessories for a smoothly powerful body set off by a crisply sculpted hood.

Standard equipment includes automatic LED headlights, LED taillights, a sunroof, a rear spoiler, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and heated power-folding mirrors with built-in LED turn signals. With the Black Optic package, buyers get black exterior accents such as high-gloss mirror caps. A hands-free trunk and 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels are optional.

Interior

The S4’s low-profile dashboard is pinstriped by a horizontal line of climate vents that spans its width. It’s a look that’s echoed by the flat surface on the top of the dash, the flat bottom of the sport steering wheel and the landscape-style infotainment screen. The result is an artistic, layered appearance up front. In the back, 40/20/40-split folding seats are standard. They bring extra versatility to go with 13 cubic feet of trunk capacity.

With the entry-level Premium trim, Audi supplies diamond-stitched leather-and-Alcantara seating surfaces, heated 12-way power-adjustable front sport seats, front-seat massage functions, tri-zone automatic climate control, brushed aluminum inlays and a multifunction steering wheel with a tilt-and-telescoping column. The S4 is additionally available with Nappa leather upholstery, climate-controlled front seats in Milano leather, heated rear seats, carbon-fiber inlays and a heated steering wheel.

Performance

The 2019 Audi S4 has a standard turbocharged V6 engine with 349 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard for the S4 as well.

The S4’s EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings are 21/30 mpg city/highway.

Specifically engineered for superior performance, the S4 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. It also rides on a standard sport-tuned suspension for sharp handling at any velocity. To push the S4 to its limits, four-wheel steering, a sport rear differential and a sport adaptive-damping suspension are options.

Technology

The 2019 S4 comes with standard technology such as a 7-inch infotainment screen, a 10-speaker audio system, CD player, console-mounted controls, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and two USB ports. Options include Audi’s 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument panel, an 8.3-inch infotainment display,  a head-up display, a console-mounted touchpad with handwriting recognition, a navigation system, mobile Wi-Fi, satellite radio and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.

For driver assistance, automatic forward emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection and a rearview camera are standard. Audi furnishes optional safety technology such as adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure alert, lane-keeping assistance, a top-down 360-degree camera system, traffic sign recognition and front and rear parking sensors.