2013 Audi S4 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Audi’s super sleeper goes electric in 2013 as its A4 foundation enters its 8th generation. That’s right, it’s electric steering from here on out, boys, but Audi waited until those first few wonky iterations of the setup were tried in other applications before fitting it to their own darling. That way most of the complaining and criticizing—not to mention the adjusting and redesigning—was out of the way first. It’s not the only change in this mid-cycle update, but it’ll certainly get more press than the usual visual massage that leaves it different, but not too different. Thankfully, Audi had some other interesting adjustments in store.
Sadly, none of them are in the drivetrain. Not that the drivetrain needed adjusting, as the supercharged, direct-injected 3.0-liter V6 has always been a fan favorite despite landing directly in the middle of its class, power-wise. It wasn’t too long ago that 329 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque were newsworthy numbers, especially with the twisty bits arriving at just 2,900 rpm. Today they’re almost expected, even with a 29-mpg fuel rating. It speaks well for the character and delivery of this engine, plus it’s hard to argue with a 4.7-second sprint to 60. Moreover, there’s something to be said about having someone to look down upon, and the A4 fits that bill nicely. Knowing the S4 can stretch its legs up to 155 mph while the A4 is electronically limited to 130 is certain to put a sadistic smile on a few faces.
So if not the drivetrain, what’s new with the S4? All of the changes from the A4 are here, which means a more bulbous hood and a "new" front grille that really means the upper corners are now squared off and the horizontal lines accented slightly. Coupled with larger intakes at the lower corners, the whole arrangement has a widening effect when approached from the front. It does look good.
Of course, Audi’s signature lighting had to be addressed as well, and the familiar row of individual LEDs in the halo ring around the headlights has been chucked for LED light tubes. They surround new standard bi-xenon lights and some new fog lights take up space in those lower intakes, too.
Aesthetics are nice, but we want function, not just form. In that category, Audi has taken a look at the A4/S4’s all-wheel-drive issues—most specifically the tendency for the rear end to feel a bit anchor-ish. For a fix, Audi revised the mounting point for the rear control arms, and early reports have been positive, with testers noting some increased mobility in the rear. Of course, the S4 already had the jump on the A4 in the handling department with its sport suspension and a stance that brings it more than an inch closer to the asphalt than its lesser brother.
But the S4 was always a more ponderous affair than its German competitors, you say. And now with electric steering, things should only get worse, right? So far testers haven’t found that to be the case. Maybe the fact that the S4 never really handled with the violent agility of the M3 works in its favor here, as the change to an electric setup isn’t as noticeable. Or maybe Audi wasn’t lying when it says it's gotten it right. Plus, the point here is efficiency, and they have gotten that right. The powered assistance cancels out when it’s not being used, and Audi has even redesigned the system for faster fluid heating after a cold start. Matched with some internal engine friction reduction, they’re claiming 8 percent more miles per tank.
Inside, things are less contentious, as changes to form and function blend. Audi’s Multi Media Interface has been simplified with the button count dropping by half, and the S4 now comes with an available Wi-fi hotspot and 3D Google navigation.
Complain. I dare you.
No, the S4 isn’t the fastest and it isn’t the flashiest, but it’s a great car that gets better with each refresh and redesign. It’s never lost focus, and it’s never overextended its reach. Some say it occupies a nebulous zone between the darling A4 and the demented RS4, but for a silent majority it’s just right. And it's even still available with a 3-pedal 6-speed, too. That alone deserves some attention.
User reviews for 2013 Audi S4
Write a review2013 Audi S4 Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 10 · 180 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 13.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: front center · Center console trim: simulated alloy · Dash trim: simulated alloy · Door trim: simulated alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: with lighting · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.88 · Locking differential: front
Engine
Alternator: 150 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome accents · Mirror color: aluminum · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: silver
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: self-leveling · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass
Safety
Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather · Upholstery accents: faux suede
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.9
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · In-Dash CD: DVD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bang & Olufsen · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 14 · 505 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 13.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: simulated alloy · Dash trim: simulated alloy · Door trim: simulated alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: with lighting · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): front and rear · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.68 · Locking differential: front
Engine
Alternator: 150 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome accents · Mirror color: aluminum · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: silver
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Audi MMI Connect · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: one-touch open/close
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: front · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather · Upholstery accents: faux suede
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.9
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
