Audi S4 and S5 2021 review

Audi would probably prefer you didn't realize it, but all five different versions of the S4 and S5 on the market belong to a single performance and equipment formula spread across five different body styles. 

Yes, five, and it's been that way for more than a decade: the S4 sedan and the Avant wagon, the A5 two-door coupe, convertible and five-door Sportback liftback are completely different forms you can choose from, with the same basics. Of course, this just echoes the A4 and A5 ranges they are based on, and BMW clearly thought that was a good idea too, considering the 3 and 4 series ranges were split into separate lines early in the last generation.

Mercedes-Benz offers a similar set minus the liftback but will happily wrap it all up under the C-Class label. 

So, given that the A4 and A5 line received a mid-life update a few months ago, it's only logical that the changes were made to the performance S4 and S5, as well as the top-of-the-line RS4 Avant. 

We reviewed the latter in October, now it's the turn of the former, and Cars Guide was one of the first to unveil the updated S4 and S5 ranges at a media launch in Australia last week.

Audi S4 2021: 3.0 TFSI Quattro
Safety Rating	-
engine's type	3.0 L turbo
fuel type	Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	8.6l / 100km
Landing	5 Places
Price from	$84,700

Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10

The S4 sedan and Avant have received most of the design updates, with all new and redesigned side panels, including the sedan's C-pillar, consistent with what was applied to the A4 earlier this year. 

This is combined with new front and rear fascias and lighting for a subtle but extensive overhaul of the fifth generation S4's conservative appearance. 

The S5 Sportback, Coupe and Cabriolet get new S5-specific lighting and fascias, but no sheet metal changes. As before, the Coupé and Convertible have a 60mm shorter wheelbase than the Sportback, Sedan and Avant.

S5s also get matrix LED headlights as standard, which create a neat animation sequence when you open the car. 

Other visual highlights include the new 4-inch wheels specific to the S19, while the S5 has its own unique 20-inch wheel. The six-piston front brake calipers are suitably painted red, and there are also custom adaptive S dampers underneath. All variants except the convertible have a rear spoiler.

Inside, there's a new center console and a larger 10.1-inch multimedia screen, and the Audi Virtual Cockpit driver's instrument display now offers a hockey stick-style tachometer in addition to traditional dial layouts.

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10

As I mentioned above, the S4 and S5 lines are largely the same, but also different, and those differences lead to a $20,500 price range between the S4 sedan and the $5 convertible. 

The former is now $400 cheaper at a list price of $99,500, and the S400 Avant is also $4 cheaper than $102,000.

The S5 Sportback and Coupe are now $600 more at an equal list price of $106,500, while the S5 convertible's soft-folding soft top raises that to $120,000 (+$1060).

Equipment levels are the same across all five variants, except the S5 gets matrix LED headlights as standard and one inch more 20-inch wheels. 

Key details include Nappa leather upholstery with heated front sports seats with massage function, a Bang & Olufsen audio system that distributes 755 watts of power to 19 speakers, brushed aluminum inserts, a head-up display, colored ambient lighting, tinted windows and metallic trim. dye.

The front sport seats are trimmed in Nappa leather. (pictured is the S4 Avant variant)

Over the past 12 months, the S5 Sportback has been the most popular of the five options, accounting for 53 percent of sales, followed by the S4 Avant at 20 percent, and the S4 sedan making up 10 percent of sales. percent, with the S5 coupe and cabriolet together accounting for the remaining 17 percent.

How practical is the interior space? 8/10

The biggest practical change among the five S4 and S5 variants is their upgrade to the latest version of the Audi MMI infotainment system, which upgrades to a 10.1-inch touchscreen and removes the scroll wheel from the center console.

Inside is a new center console and a larger 10.1-inch multimedia screen. (pictured is the S4 Avant variant)

It also boasts ten times the processing power of the version it replaces, and uses that and an integrated SIM card to access Google Earth maps for navigation and Audi Connect Plus, which offers driver information such as fuel prices and parking information, as well as interest lookup points and weather information, as well as the ability to make emergency calls and seek roadside assistance.

There's also a wireless phone charger, but you'll still need a cord to use Apple CarPlay, according to Android Auto.

I only drove the S4 Avant and S5 Sportback during their media launches, which are by far the most practical of the five, but based on our experience with previous versions, they each take good care of their passengers in terms of space and memory. Rear seat placement is clearly not a priority in the coupe and convertible, but there are three other options if that's what you're looking for. 

The S4 Avant takes good care of its passengers in terms of space and storage space. (pictured is the S4 Avant variant)

The convertible can open its auto-folding soft top in 15 seconds at speeds up to 50 km/h.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10

Audi has taken an "if it ain't broke" approach to the mechanics, and all S4 and S5 models are unchanged with this update. Thus, the centerpiece is still a 3.0-litre single-turbocharged V6 that delivers 260kW and 500Nm, the latter available in a wide range of 1370-4500rpm.

The S4 and S5 models are powered by the same turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine with 260kW and 500Nm. (pictured is the S5 Sportback variant)

The rest of the drivetrain is also unchanged, with the venerable but excellent ZF eight-speed torque converter automatic mated to a Quattro all-wheel drive system that can send up to 85% of torque to the rear wheels. 

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How much fuel does it consume? 8/10

Official combined fuel consumption figures range from 8.6 l/1 km for the S00 sedan to 4 l/8.8 km for the Avant, Coupe and Sportback, while the heavier convertible reaches 100 l/9.1 km. 

All of them are pretty good considering their performance potential and the size of these cars, and the fact that they only require premium 95 octane unleaded gasoline.

All of them have a 58-liter fuel tank, which should provide a range of at least 637 km between refueling, based on convertible performance.

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10

All variants of the S4 and S5 boast an impressive array of safety features, but there are some interesting bits and pieces when it comes to ANCAP ratings. Only the four-cylinder A4 models (therefore not the S4) received the maximum five-star rating when tested to the less stringent 2015 standards, but all A5 variants (therefore S5), with the exception of the convertible, have a five-star rating based on testing applied to the A4. So officially the S4 does not have a rating, but the S5 Coupe and Sportback have a rating, but based on the A4 rating, which does not apply to the S4. Like most convertibles, the convertible just doesn't have a rating. 

The number of airbags is eight in the sedan, Avant and Sportback, with two front airbags as well as side airbags and curtain airbags covering the front and rear.

The coupe lacks rear side airbags, while the convertible also lacks curtain airbags, meaning no airbags for rear seat passengers. The roof is made of foldable fabric, there has to be some sort of safety compromise.

Other safety features include front AEB operating at speeds up to 85 km/h, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, active lane keeping and collision avoidance assistance that can prevent the door from opening towards an oncoming vehicle or cyclist, and also a rear warning sensor that can detect an impending rear collision and prepare seat belts and windows for maximum protection.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

3 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10

Audi continues to offer a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, which is in line with BMW but falls short of the five-year warranty offered by Mercedes-Benz these days. It also contrasts with the five-year norm among major brands, which is underscored by Kia and SsangYong's seven-year warranty.  

However, service intervals are a comfortable 12 months/15,000 km and the same five-year "Audi Genuine Care Service Plan" offers limited-price service for the same $2950 total over five years, applicable to all S4 variants and S5. That's only marginally more than the plans offered for the regular A4 and A5 petrol variants, so you won't be stung by the thoroughbred versions.

What is it like to drive? 9/10

The S4 and S5 line already struck a great balance between everyday comfort and true sporting edge, and nothing has changed with this update.

S mode revitalizes the engine and transmission without stressing the suspension. (pictured is the S5 Sportback variant)

I spent time driving the S4 Avant and S5 Sportback during their media launches, and both managed to deliver a proper Audi luxury experience on some fairly rough rural roads, always feeling a bit sportier than a regular A4 or A5. That's with Drive Select left at its default mode, but you can shift that sporty personality a few notches (while reducing comfort) by selecting Dynamic mode. 

The S4 sedan accelerates to 0 km/h in 100 seconds. (pictured is the S4.7 sedan version)

I prefer to customize them by simply pulling the transmission selector back to activate S mode, which revitalizes the engine and transmission without stressing the suspension. 

The exhaust sound is adaptive, but there is nothing synthetic about it. (pictured is the S5 coupe variant)

There is some difference in performance potential across the five body styles of the S4 and S5: the S4 sedan and the S5 coupe lead the performance chart with 0-100 km/h with 4.7 seconds, the S5 Sportback trails them by 0.1 seconds, the S4 Avant another 0.1 seconds , and the convertible is still quickly claiming 5.1 s.

The S4 Avant delivers the proper Audi luxury feel on rather rough rural roads. (pictured is the S4 Avant variant)

Another area that I find the S4 and S5 to be ideal is exhaust sound. It's adaptive, but there's nothing synthetic about it, and the V6's overall subdued and distinctly burbling sound always reminds you that you're on board the right performance model, but not in a way that annoys you or your neighbors. . Polite speech, if you will.

Verdict

The S4 and S5 line is still a great performance formula that you can live with every day. In fact, this is arguably Audi's most pleasing balance sheet. They're all fantastically equipped, with cabs that feel really special, and we're lucky to have five body styles to choose from.