Used Audi S4 Avant (2016 – 2024) review - understated estate that packed a punch

The sophisticated feel the latest Audi A5 and Audi S5 benefit from comes in part from the revisions Audi made to their platforms but also to the transformation the Audi A4 and S4 (that they replace and to which they are related underneath) first underwent in 2016. Under the control of Ulrich Hackenberg the mid-sized saloon and Avant estate model had as much focus put on their dynamics as they did on interior design, technology and quality. The result was a lighter, stiffer, better balanced and more focused chassis that transformed the regular cars and gave a great basis from which the Audi S4 and RS4 could be developed.

For the S4, the focus also turned to its drivetrain, with the outgoing car’s supercharged V6 replaced by a turbocharged unit and the S Tronic gearbox switched for a torque converter. The quattro four-wheel drive system was also reconfigured.

Unlike Audi’s hard core RS models, the S range has always been the under the radar choice, offering more attitude than BMW’s M Sport models but without the aggressive overtones of the Mercedes-AMG C43 variants. This S4 Avant not only had Audi’s fast estate honour to uphold, but faced tougher competition than ever before.

Engine, gearbox and technical highlights 

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The 3-litre turbocharged V6 unit is identical to that found in the S4 saloon, S5 coupe and Sportback, which means a 20bhp increase over the outgoing model to 349bhp and a 44lb ft torque increase to 368lb ft. The latter arrives at 1370rpm and flat-lines until 4500rpm, 900rpm shy of when that peak power arrives, which hangs around for 1000rpm. The facelifted diesel model featured a 3-litre V6 with less power – 342bhp at 3850rpm. Torque however was up enormously, to 516lb ft from 2500rpm to 3100rpm.

The eight-speed auto wasn’t as quick as the S Tronic it replaced, but the ratios are neatly matched to the engine’s power and torque delivery, although with so many gears on offer when you are enjoying yourself the steering wheel mounted paddles are your best bet for ultimate response. In auto mode the ‘box can be slow to downshift, even in its sport setting, leaving you a gear or two higher than you’ve anticipated when you want to get back into the throttle.

Audi’s lightweight strategy played a big part in the S4 Avant’s make-up when it came to the car’s technical highlights. Chief amongst these is how fluid and composed the chassis is. There’s a deftness to how the B9 S4 Avant flows across the tarmac, feeling less leaden and one dimensional compared to its predecessor.

All S4s are equipped with Audi’s quattro four-wheel drive system, with a 40-60 front to rear torque split in regular driving and capable of delivering up to 75 per cent of the drive to the front axle or 85 per cent to the rear when required. Also optional was a locking 'Sport differential' at the rear that improved the S4's agility and adjustability.

Performance and 0-62mph time

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With its eight-speed auto it will slip along to 62mph in a claimed 4.9sec and troubles its speed limiter at 155mph. The later diesel facelift is similarly limited at the top end, but is a touch slower to 62mph.

Though the diesel was a loss in terms of noise, the petrol V6 it replaced wasn't exactly as evocative as the supercharged V6 or naturally aspirated V8 that came before it. It’s not a particularly engaging engine note, but it responds sharply to throttle inputs when the engine map is in dynamic mode (comfort mode is too lethargic for an Audi with an S badge) and the crank isn’t afraid to spin. Keep the tacho above 4000rpm and the S4’s motor will trouble more traditional sports cars. 

Needless to say, the diesel is happiest in its torque band and will have the S4 lunging ahead at most traffic light grands prix, if not for its own redline. It's not possessed of unpleasant vocals, for a diesel, but those with fond memories of the exotic old V8s and charismatic supercharged V6, will feel short-changed on soul in the oil burner, if not on shove.

Ride and handling

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Where S4s of old thumped you down the road with a beady-eyed focus on chasing performance in place of agility, this B9 redressed this and many more issues. Naturally, they do the fast, premium estate car trick of covering serious miles in a blink of an eye without breaking sweat, but it’s when you head for a road with fewer straights and more of a challenge that S4 Avant delivers.

The B9 S4 Avant is quick to settle on its dampers and the body no longer feels like it’s a split second behind the action. Run over a poorly surfaced apex of a corner – an all too common issue in the UK – and rather than a thud from under foot and a steering wheel that wants to make a break for freedom, the S4’s chassis remains calm and unflustered, the body dissipating the shock without interrupting your flow.

Running on a 19-inch wheel and with the optional adaptive S Sport suspension with damper control, our test car delivered a fluid ride on a number of poor UK road surfaces. Dynamic mode for the dampers is still too much for the road in terms of ride quality, but left in auto the ride quality’s fluidity shows that Audi finally understands that a rock hard ride isn’t the answer.

Its 45kg penalty over the saloon is more noticeable when you start to lean on the extremities of the chassis, removing a layer of adjustability that some may miss and the majority won’t notice. But in every other situation the S4 Avant’s composure and fluidity shines through.

We tried S4s with and without Audi’s variable rate Dynamic Steering when new, and while the system improved with each new application, the standard set up is still our favoured option on the B9 S4. It feels more natural, and what it lacks in feel its consistency of weight allows for a cleaner positioning of the car.

Price, rivals and successor

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In 2024 Audi replaced its A4 and S4 range with the new A5 and S5, under the now reversed strategy to name internal combustion cars with odd numbers and EVs with even numbers.

The BMW 3-series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class in their more potent M340i and C43 forms have always been the Audi S4's chief competition and that continues with the new S5. Predictably, the BMW has always been the driver's choice and while that remained so in this case, the B9 S4 closed the gap in terms of dynamic capability. The Mercedes was always the more indulgent, luxurious choice.

Prices are a weird one for the B9 S4 Avant. Earlier petrols are arguably the more desirable enthusiast choice and are, because of their age, cheaper. You can pick one up from £15k. The later diesels are more sensible if you're lugging up and down motorways more than you're attacking B roads, in which case, they can be had for around £20k.