The 2023 Audi S4 and A4 on the outside will retain the same overall design as the sedans on sale today. The A4 40 and A4 45 now come with standard LED headlights with DRL signature lighting with a more striking design.
The available Black Optic package on the A4 45 now adds more black exterior elements, like black exhaust tips and rear spoiler. The 2023 S4 also receives a new optional Black Optic Plus package that brings black rocker sill blades, a rear spoiler, exhaust tips, and Audi badges. New 19-inch wheels and summer tires are standard.
The 2023 Audi S4 now comes standard with 19-inch wheels and summer tires. All-season tires are now optional. Audi added adaptive cruise control as a driver-assistance feature to its existing Convenience package.
The Black Optic Plus package—now including black rocker sills, rear spoiler, exhaust tips, and darkened Audi badges—replaces the previous Black Optic package.
An optional Audi Sport interior is new for 2023 and gives the S4 a black interior with red stitching and RS carbon-trim bits. Chronos Gray replaces Quantum Gray as a paint option, and Audi has added Ascari Blue to the S4 but has discontinued Turbo Blue for 2023.
ENGINE AND IMPLEMENTATION
All 2023 Audi S4s ship with a 349-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that syncs with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. While the version we tested was quicker than most rivals, the engine response and exhaust sound—both hugely important characteristics of a sports sedan—were less visceral than expected.
Despite its subdued engine character and lack of manual transmission, the V-6 delivered substantial thrust on-demand, seamlessly transitioning between relaxed and responsive. Also impressive was its automatic gearbox, which had reactions that seemed so perceptive, that we found the desire to shift for ourselves was virtually eliminated—well, almost.
Looking at the numbers, the S4 ranks above most competitors in performance. Still, the experience lacks the emotion and sharp handling responses of top rivals. Its chassis is its greatest strength, with tautly controlled body motions and compliant damping that make it equal parts sports and luxury sedan.
The 2023 Audi S4 is very precise and easy to control; its accurate steering, excellent cornering stability, and tenacious grip on the tarmac boosted our confidence to torpedo on-ramps—but it also cruised calmly around town.
Although the brakes were tremendously responsive, they were touchy at city speeds. The fluctuating feedback also interrupted the fun on curvier sections of the road where the brake pedal could feel too soft.
ENERGY AND REAL-WORLD MPG
The 2023 Audi S4 sedan is expected to earn 24 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway, according to EPA estimates. Once we test it on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, we can evaluate its real-world mpg. For more information about the S4’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
INTERIOR, CONVENIENCE, AND BOOTH
Audi is a benchmark of interior quality, and the 2023 Audi S4 is further evidence of this. Every cabin is trimmed with marvelous materials and standard features such as diamond-stitched sport seats with massage features. Along with impeccable fit and finish, the interior is racy and luxurious.
The flat-bottomed steering wheel, straightforward controls, and highly adjustable seat provide an exceptional driving position. However, we found its front-seat comfort to be diminished by overly stiff cushions. The S4 had the quietest interior in our test, which also contributed to its calm demeanor—for better or worse.
Despite having a 13-cubic-foot trunk—tied for smallest in its class with the C43 sedan—the 2023 Audi S4 held an impressive number of carry-ons. While its interior storage is average, the sedan can store a variety of loose items and personal belongings provided they’re not too big.
Compared with the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400, the Audi is a much better travel companion. We only wish the S4’s back seat were bigger and passenger space up front more generous.
IN-VEHICLE INFOTAINMENT AND INTERCONNECTIONS
Audi fits every S4 with a 10.1-inch center infotainment screen and ample infotainment options. Along with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, the MMI system we tested responded quickly to commands and had user-friendly controls.
While it’s within the driver’s line of sight, certain areas of the display require leaning forward to reach. Unfortunately, the 2023 Audi S4 no longer includes a rotary controller on the center console, which helped make the system easier to operate.
PROTECTION AND DRIVER-ASSISTANCE ASPECTS
The sports sedan includes several standard driver-assistance features, but other options such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist are only offered on the more expensive Prestige model.
For more information about the 2023 Audi S4’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
PHOTOS
FULL SPECIFICATIONS
2020 Audi S4
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE AS TESTED
$62,840 (base price: $50,895)
ENGINE TYPE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement
183 in3, 2995 cm3
Power
349 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque
369 lb-ft @ 1370 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 13.8-in vented disc/13.0-in vented disc
Tires: Bridgestone Potenza S001, 255/35R-19 96Y A0
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 111.0 in
Length: 187.5 in
Width: 72.7 in
Height: 56.2 in
Passenger volume: 92 ft3
Trunk volume: 12 ft3
Curb weight: 3927 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
Rollout, 1 ft: 0.2 sec
60 mph: 4.2 sec
100 mph: 10.7 sec
130 mph: 19.5 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 5.7 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.8 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.6 sec
¼-mile: 12.8 sec @ 108 mph
Top speed (governor limited, mfr’s claim): 155 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 162 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.95 g
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 23/20/27 mpg
