Skip advert
Advertisement

Audi S4 Avant 2017 review

With rivals edging in on its territory can the new Audi S4 Avant retain its crown as we drive it on UK roads for the first time?

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Audi S4
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The Audi S4 Avant is a remarkably effective and seriously quick estate car. Its Jekyll and Hyde personality is addictive, transforming from competent cruiser to ballistic bahn-stormer at the flick of your right foot. It’s not as fun to drive as the rear-drive BMW 340i, but many will happily trade that last degree of involvement for what is still a pleasingly fast, refined, luxurious and practical family car.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Audi’s venerable S models have long been the winter weapons of choice for those wanting a fast, comfortable and luxurious mode of transport allied to the trusty traction of quattro all-wheel drive.

But in recent years, rivals from BMW and Mercedes been playing catch up – with their respective xDrive and 4MATIC models now matching Audi’s tried and tested quattro system punch for punch. So are the glory days over? Or is the new Audi S4 still a capable year-round companion?

Best estate cars

We first drove the S4 Avant last summer, but on dry European roads it was difficult to fully appreciate the Avant’s myriad talents. Back in the UK during the colder months, however, it’s easier to see why the German brand only offers its most powerful models with four-wheel drive.

On tight and greasy British B-roads, the S4 remains glued to the tarmac. The steering doesn’t offer an enormous amount of feedback, but you learn to trust the car over time, with plenty of front end bite allowing you to place the wheels exactly where you want them. The optional (£1,200) Sports Differential enables rapid slingshots from tighter bends, too.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Range Rover Sport

2022 Land Rover

Range Rover Sport

19,523 milesAutomaticPetrol3.0L

Cash £47,600
View Range Rover Sport
Golf GTI

2020 Volkswagen

Golf GTI

54,386 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £19,435
View Golf GTI
ZS

2023 MG

ZS

34,598 milesAutomaticPetrol1.0L

Cash £14,335
View ZS
2 Series Gran Tourer

2020 BMW

2 Series Gran Tourer

52,882 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £12,648
View 2 Series Gran Tourer

Audi RS6 Avant review

The tried-and-tested eight-speed S tronic gearbox is lightning fast, displaying instant changes with the throttle pinned. The 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged petrol engine relays seemingly endless grunt, too, sprinting from 0-62mph in just 4.9 seconds. That’s only two tenths of a second slower than the outgoing RS4 – which boasted a much bigger and more powerful 4.2-litre V8 – and an appreciable six tenths faster than a rear-drive BMW 340i Touring.

But despite being faster than its German rival, it’s not as engaging. You can tweak the S4’s settings via the familiar Drive Select buttons on the centre console, but it feels more like a cruiser than a true dynamic benchmark. With everything in the sportiest settings, the Avant’s responses feel tighter – but unless you really need the extra traction then the 3 Series remains the driver’s choice. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

BMW does offer its six-cylinder 335d diesel with xDrive, but a 4Matic-equipped Mercedes-AMG C 43 is arguably a more comparable rival. In Estate form it’s ever so slightly faster (0-62mph in 4.7s), but sits one tax band higher than the Audi. It boasts equally baffling levels of grip, while the dampers strike a great balance between comfort and agility.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Mercedes-AMG C 43 Estate review

We praised the S4 for its supple ride and controlled dynamics when we drove it in Europe last year, but back in the UK – on the car’s standard suspension setup – it seemed to fidget on rougher roads. Bigger imperfections send crashes into the cabin, while even smaller bumps can be felt through the seat and steering wheel. We expect Audi’s £900 adaptive dampers to soften things somewhat, but given our car’s smaller (and supposedly softer) 18-inch wheels, it’s unlikely to be a glistening transformation. 

It’s a competent cruiser, though – with the sumptuous cabin, quilted seats and logical dash all making life behind the wheel a pleasure on longer journeys. The ride softens at motorway speeds, while road noise is kept to a minimum. The sports exhaust sounds fruity enough at full chat, but fades into the background at a steady speed.

Equipment is good, though we question how many buyers will make do with the standard-fit 18-inch wheels. They add nicely to the S4’s Q-car appeal, but for £275 you can upgrade to the flashier 19-inch rims, which will surely benefit residuals come resale time. Elsewhere you’ll find heated sports seats, LED lights and keyless go. The excellent Virtual Cockpit dials are a worthwhile £250 option, though sat-nav is included – operable via the central seven-inch display.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,513 off RRP*Used from £5,500
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £8,094 off RRP*Used from £13,199
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £13,895
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,725Avg. savings £4,199 off RRP*Used from £15,337
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025