2020 Audi S4 Review - Was Diesel The Right Choice For This Sporty Daily?

Last year Audi introduced a raft of new "S" models - but the big change was that many of them were now going to be diesel powered.

I first drove the S4 on the UK model launch a while ago, and wasn't overly impressed with it. However, I wanted to get some more time with the car to see how it coped with daily duty and if the change of fuel brought some real benefits.

#Audi #S4 #TDI

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[RichardFanders]

VAG - the pioneers of the DCT are even using the ZF8hp now. Brilliant gearbox.

[nickphillips]

I have the diesel S4 and think it's brilliant.
Engine torque is incredible and acceleration amazing, especially in manual mode, build quality is brilliant.
I think it sounds nice as well and gets all the looks in Quantum grey.
Low down and mid-range thrust is superb and very powerful large breaks.
Love it.

[andypaul]

The people that never bought a S4 petrol are now complaining that its a diesel.

[veemacks]

I think you need to consider the needs of an average German customer. They'll spend time driving around town and in heavy traffic and for that they want great economy, who wouldn't. But on those occasions when the Autobahn traffic is light, they want something that can rapidly get them from 60mph to 155mph and brake well back down to 60mph when all lanes are full of slow drivers. For that they don't need awesome handling or super fast shifts, they just need a good reserve of power to get it done. It's also the reason so many German cars have ceramic brakes - it's not for track use, it's for avoiding brake fade on the Autobahn. What you also need to realise is that Diesel is about 25% cheaper than petrol in Germany (or it was last time I took any notice, I don't do diesels). So you get the double whammy of more mpg and costing less.

[AgSmithsilversmith]

Great video, minor suggestion, I have no idea what the earlier model numbers mean but would probably recognise them, maybe flash up images of the older cars so that us non audiphiles can keep up

[wololo]

Let's take a moment to appreciate the shirt...

[freshjive]

10:42

Bird: "I'll be fine for a minute, that s4 has loads of la.... HOLY FUCK!!"

[davidhayes]

I think that this is a great under-stated car. Powerful diesels are really wonderful to drive.

[dominicrusho]

All the grumpy old men will hate this because it’s a diesel and not a quad turbo W16, but I’d sure as heck rather take this than another “performance” SUV.

[johnsvensson]

Sebulba’s podracer sounds WAY cool!! 😉
I share your hatred for iPad infotainment solutions in cars. I’ve avoided them and bought other cars instead when they started to show up.

[SabretoothBarnacle]

I'll stick to my tweaked 07 330D which you can get for a bargain these days. 420lb/ft and 280bhp whilst still able to do circa 50mpg on the motorway is a no brainer👍

[steveabbott]

Great review Jay, spot on. Had S4B9 Petrol and now S4B9 Diesel. Love them both great mile munchers and load luggers. 40+mpg is very welcome. Best option, 360 Camera in new S4

[PorscheSweden]

The only reason audi is launching these new S models as diesels is to get the fleet average for the CO2 lower to be able to build the RS cars. We should be thankful for what we get, soon the base standard will be 100 kw electric

[Rhowhat]

Just bought a petrol B9 S4 Avant as my do everything single car. It's brilliant, the diesel does nothing for me. The wheels and lights for the facelift are awful and make it look oddly dated.

[evstratiosalisafakis]

Own a B8.5 S4 Avant. Love it. Does it all. Nice review as always

[FleetAdmiral]

Love " Shoestring" style intro tune, great video James

[dsrai]

I've got the S line black edition, it's a few years older, but I love it and will be buying something similar when I get my next car. It's both practical and has just enough performance when needed.

[TheSaint]

If you get the chance to try the pre facelift petrol s4, give it a go. Might not be as practical a choice, but that engine is a lot more engaging by default

[geoffpeirce]

A really good balanced review - i subscribed. Enjoying your channel - good mix of drives - don't see anyone else doing this

[R-Tap]

Is there any excitement taking a diesel to the redline? I think, no.

Riding the torque is satisfying, but not exciting.