2006 Audi S4 Avant Review

Driving Impressions

Audi S4 Avant – Ron Perry’s Driving Impressions:
The feeling sitting behind the wheel of the Audi S4 Avant is that of a well-executed design combining luxury and performance. The Recaro seats in the S4 hug you tight with excellent bolstering and the suede inserts keep you in place during spirited drives. A twist of the key brings the V8 to life and a couple taps of the accelerator releases a deep growl from the exhaust. Knowing the S4 is all-wheel drive, you can be assured you’re in for a thrill ride. The V8 offers up lots of low-end torque and the all-wheel drive translates it seamlessly to the pavement through the six-speed manual transmission. Attack a sharp turn or a full 360-degree freeway on-ramp and the S4 just keeps accepting acceleration and steering input all the while staying flat with minimal tire squeal. Ride quality is surprisingly good for a car with this kind of handling capability. The brakes are great, too, but I felt the steering was much too light. I also wasn’t getting the feedback I was expecting. I’m no fan of wagons but I must say after a few minutes behind the wheel you completely forget you’re driving one. This S4 is one wagon you wouldn’t be embarrassed to be seen driving.

Audi S4 Avant – Christian Wardlaw’s Driving Impressions:
Unquestionably, the 2006 Audi S4 is a capable performance car, but its attitude is all business with a stern face and a mock schnell! Run the S4 hard through the gears, and triple-digit speed comes quickly, the sensation masked by a wide, flat, linear power curve from an engine that doesn’t build velocity at the same rate that it builds revs. The shifter abruptly bangs from gear to gear, rarely smooth but always authoritative. Likewise, the clutch is either engaged or disengaged. The S4 never feels like it wants to play and doesn’t thrill the driver, but it’s always unflappably cool and the engine and exhaust notes are gorgeous – my desire to hear the Audi S4’s 4.2-liter V8 sing was never sated. That probably explains the middling 15.3 mpg we averaged for the week.

Sublime is the only way to describe the Audi S4’s incredible steering. Accurate, tight, and responsive, the assist levels are perfection regardless of speed. And despite the 18-inch performance rubber, the turning circle is small for easy parking. Handling is good, but not great. This is a heavy car for its size, with plenty of V8 weight planted over the front wheels. Quattro all-wheel-drive helps balance the S4’s equilibrium, but the S4 still wants to push in hard corners. The 235/40 Z-rated Continental SportContact 2 tires manage the mass well, though, and the car is enjoyable to fling down a favorite road. Driven hard, for an extended period of time on a warm summer day, the S4’s brakes held up remarkably well. Though a little grabby in town, the binders withstood abuse in the heat with nary a whimper, proving easy to modulate while zooming from the crest of the Santa Monica Mountains to the beach below.

Subtle performance is what you get with the 2006 Audi S4. With nothing more than “V8” and “S4” badges to announce this Avant’s intent, this car is able to surprise unsuspecting people in more overt machines. I just wish the excitement of driving it would build along with the engine revs.

Thom Blackett’s 2006 Audi S4 Avant Driving Impressions:
Chances are that most people, when seeing a station wagon on the street, even if it’s got alloy wheels and fancy badges, will believe the car to be more of a dog than a rod. However, with models like the Dodge Magnum SRT-8, the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG wagon, and now the Audi S4 Avant, the message should be clear – wagons ain’t what they used to be.

Unlike the Dodge and Mercedes, the S4 Avant pushes power to all four wheels thanks to a manual transmission, a six-speeder with an easy clutch and short, precise throws. However, the shift action is abrupt, so if smooth and leisurely gear changes are your thing, consider the six-speed Tiptronic automatic or another ride altogether. Stick with the S4 and your right foot will be tapping power from a 4.2-liter V8, an engine accented by a steady pull as revs climb but a less stellar response directly off the line. The higher the tach needle climbs, the more potent the motor feels.

Handling is quite impressive, especially for a wagon. The stiff highway ride translates into almost no body roll on aggressive corners, the 18-inch performance tires hold the road well but squeal when pushed hard, and the steering takes on heft, becoming more responsive as speed increases. Brakes are well modulated, and after a spirited jaunt on a twisty mountain road, continued to work effectively without any hint of fade.







Comfort

Audi S4 Avant – Ron Perry’s Opinion of the Comfort:
It doesn’t get much better than the Audi S4. Well-shaped Recaro seats front and back, loads of high quality leather and some of the nicest carbon-fiber trim I have seen really give you the sense of driving a high-end luxury car. All switches are within easy reach and are easy to use with the exception of the radio – you might want to spend a minute or two figuring out the radio before you hit the road. I had no trouble getting into a comfortable driving position and loved to drive with the center armrest in the lowered position. It was the perfect height for resting my right arm and never got in the way when running through the gears. The door panel also offers a padded rest area for my left arm. The interior is exceptionally quiet except for that nice growl when you push the go pedal.

In the back seat the same level of comfort continues with the exception of knee space. Even with the concave surface of the driver’s seat there is minimal knee room. Foot and head room are abundant. A fold-down center console offers a padded surface for your arms and cupholders to hold your latte, and a low liftover at the rear makes loading cargo easy.

Audi S4 Avant – Christian Wardlaw’s Opinion of the Comfort:
Lately, I can’t get comfortable in Audis. Of course, my drives have been restricted to the two smallest models in the lineup, but comfort isn’t exclusive to mid-sized vehicles and larger. You’d think that this 2006 S4 Avant, equipped with Recaro seats and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel, would offer the ability to get perfectly situated but I always found myself fidgeting, adjusting, trying to find a sweet spot that stuck. Recaros are properly bolstered sport seats that restrict movement during hard driving. Unfortunately, they also restrict movement during rush-hour traffic. Plus, they are rather hard and unyielding. Adding to my discomfort were hard upper door panels and a hard plastic center console that intruded upon leg space. Finally, it’s not easy to get into and out of the S4, thanks to small door portals, the significant seat bolsters, and the strong door hinge detents. The steering wheel, I would like to note, features smooth leather and is sized just right.

If the front seat is uncomfortable, the rear seat is unbearable. Foot room is generous, but leg room is tight, and the front seatbacks are finished in contoured hard plastic with storage nets attached, providing numerous opportunities for knee and shin pain. The rear seats are low, too, and lacking thigh support. Also, I couldn’t fold the center armrest down because my legs were splayed around the front seatback. Getting in and out is rather difficult because of the small door portals, low rear seat, and tight leg clearance.

Loading cargo is easy. The tailgate offers two raised settings. The first is to provide clearance for low parking garage ceilings, and the second, available with a push on the gate, is to provide clearance for heads. The liftover height into the cube-shaped cargo area is remarkably low, too. Folding the seats is a hassle. First, if the two front seats are positioned improperly, they must be moved forward to provide adequate clearance. Next, fold the left side first, then the right side. Be careful with the right side; it’s very heavy because the unit that deploys the cargo cover and partition net is attached to this side. Raising the rear seats, you could give yourself a hernia if you’re not careful.

Audi S4 Avant – Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the Comfort:
Consider the “S” in S4 to be short for “stiff.” The front bucket seats, with their thick side bolsters and extendable bottom cushions, are more than a bit on the rigid side, yet they prove to be comfortable around town and on longer highway drives. Padded plastic on the door panel allows the driver to bury his knee on aggressive corners without any pain, but bang a tight left and you’re right knee will be pinned against the hard center console. Ouch.







Quality

Audi S4 Avant – Ron Perry’s Opinion of the Quality:
The S4 Avant displayed the kind of quality I expect to see from an Audi product. Seams and gaps were even and the joints between the fenders and bumpers were seamless. Inside, all the parts fit well together with no odd or cheap materials. The dash is padded, as are the lower door panels. The carbon-fiber trim used throughout the interior is some of the nicest I have seen. The Audi S4 is an example of getting what you pay for when it comes to quality.

Audi S4 Avant – Christian Wardlaw’s Opinion of the Quality:
Audi is long known for using the highest quality materials inside its vehicles, and the 2006 S4 Avant is no exception. I’d quibble with the hard, pebbled finish of the visors, and I certainly wish the upper door panels and center console were constructed using softer materials, but otherwise there’s not a single thing about which to complain in terms of plastics, fabrics, or the upholstery on the seats.

Build quality is a strong point, too. This is the first Audi I’ve driven in recent memory that didn’t squeak, buzz, and rattle inside. It was brand new, though, with fewer than 1,000 miles on the odometer after we drove it for a week, so how the S4 Avant will hold up over time remains a guess. Inside and out, though, all the parts and panels fit together tightly and uniformly, with inconsistent tailgate gaps from side to side where it met the bumper cover the most significant fault I could find. Any other discrepancies were minor issues likely to go unnoticed by most owners.

Audi S4 Avant – Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the Quality:
After a rather in-depth look at the Audi S4 Avant, I’ve got little to report in terms of quality problems. The gap between the hood and the grille was off a bit, as were the gaps around the tailgate. Inside, everything lined up nicely and was basically free of faults. The seats were upholstered in high-grade leather and suede, alloy trim was fitted to the shifter and door handles, optional carbon fiber adorned the doors, dash, and center console, while padded plastics were used on the dash, door panels, and glovebox. Hard plastics were used sparingly on the center console and lower seat frames.







Design

Audi S4 Avant – Ron Perry’s Opinion of the Design:
The Audi S4 is a really sharp looking wagon. It has an aggressive stance and the added body panel trim really adds to the look. Even the aluminum roof rack bars add to the flowing look of the design. The exterior styling is capped off with a set of nice alloy wheels.

Inside the S4, the interior is clean and uncluttered with everything designed to be functional. I really liked the whole layout of the interior but I could do without the carbon fiber trim. It is of the highest quality but carbon fiber is old news in the auto industry and has even been kicked to the curb by most of the serious Ricky racers. It is time for something new. I also had issues with the cupholder arrangement in the front center console. Access to the back cupholder is blocked by the center armrest when it is in the lowered position. When the armrest is in the raised position the comfort level is reduced. Maybe a sliding top would resolve this?

Audi S4 Avant – Christian Wardlaw’s Opinion of the Design:
Generally, I find the Audi A4 Avant to be an appealing automobile with pleasing forms and shapes. It’s the detailing that bugs me. Audi’s new corporate face doesn’t fit this car, which wasn’t designed from the outset to wear it. The taillights remind me of the Honda Civic; though Audi’s design debuted first, it is the ubiquitous Civic that people will remember when viewing this upscale wagon. Other gripes include the S4’s thin-spoke wheels, which lack imagination in my opinion, and the “V8” badges, which are unnecessary jewelry that ruin the surprise.

Inside, the layout is typical of an Audi, with serious, plain, legible gauges; a two-tiered instrument panel design separated by decorative trim; and a rather dark and dour ambience save for the light-gray suede seat inserts. The stereo and climate controls are not simple and easy to use, with the former almost completely embedded into the MMI system. Secondary controls are logically located, often exhibiting considerate attention to detail like one-touch operation for all four windows and the sunroof, or the ability to run with just the front fog lights on and the rear fog light off.

Audi’s Multi-Media Interface (MMI) might be an improvement over BMW’s iDrive and Mercedes-Benz’s COMAND, but it’s still a distraction. Why the Germans think hard keys mapped to icons and menus on a screen are a better solution than a touch screen is beyond me. Plus, since the S4’s dashboard real estate is restricted, the screen and the data displayed on it are small. Even though it features crisp resolution, you need sharp vision to discern the details. My favorite feature is the “Return” button, which keeps me from getting lost in the menus.

Audi S4 Avant – Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the Design:
Oddly enough, my main complaint about this car’s design has to do with its rear cargo cover. Apparently reluctant to adopt user-friendly, logical convention, Audi S4 Avant engineers avoided offering a cargo cover that is lightweight and easily removed. Instead, there’s a cumbersome unit that can only be removed when the seatbacks are lowered, and then it takes some skillful handiwork to slide it back into place. Think you might’ve over-engineered things just a bit, fellas? My only other complaint has to do with the absence of a bumper pad to prevent scratches and gouging, but that might look out of place on a $57,000 Audi.

Points deserving some praise are the alloy trim pieces on the window sills, door sills, and roof rails, and the subtle exterior styling, accented by a lower front skirt with integrated fog lights, S4 badges strategically placed on the grille and tailgate, a V8 badge on the front fender, and side skirts.







Advice

Audi S4 Avant – Ron Perry’s Advice:
Definitely give the Audi S4 Avant a chance to sell itself if you’re in the market for a wagon or you’re weighing the purchase of a luxury suv. The S4 combines the performance of a sportscar with the comfort of a luxury car and offers up an abundance of cargo space. There are few cars on the market that can match what the Audi S4 Avant has to offer.

Audi S4 Avant – Christian Wardlaw’s Advice:
Audi wanted $56,945 for the 2006 S4 Avant we test drove. That’s a ton of cash for a small car stuffed full of V8 engine, though not out of line with its primary comparison set. The great thing about the Audi S4 lineup is that you can choose a sedan, a wagon, or a convertible while most competitors are limited to a single body style. Still, I kept thinking about the 425-horsepower Dodge Magnum SRT-8 while driving the S4 Avant. Even when equipped with every option plus a dealer “market adjustment,” the Dodge costs less than the Audi. Sure, the Magnum is comparatively unrefined and lacks all-wheel drive, but I’d gladly make the trade for its added interior room, improved comfort, and real-world functionality. But then, I live in Southern California, where the weather is rarely foul and Audis are sitting at every traffic light. Here, a Magnum has presence. It’s different. Where you live, a stealthy, speedy and sophisticated 2006 Audi S4 Avant might make all the sense in the world.

Audi S4 Avant – Thom Blackett’s Advice:
Audi calls it an Avant, the rest of us usually call it a wagon. No matter the name, chances are you’ve never driven one like this. True, decades ago V8-powered wagons with manual transmissions were not uncommon, and even today, these versatile vehicles sometimes derive power from eight-cylinders. But a 340-horsepower motor mated to a snappy six-speed stick pushing 302 lb.-ft. of torque to all four wheels? BMW plays the performance wagon game with the 3 Series, albeit with 125 fewer ponies; the Mazda 6 Sport Wagon does it sans all-wheel drive and with less power under the hood; Dodge’s Magnum does it with added ponies but minus a clutch pedal and all-wheel drive; the Saab 9-3 SportCombi does it with no power to the rear wheels and only 250 horses; and, of course, Subaru does it with a variety of models, all with less power and finesse. Only the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG wagon betters the Audi S4 Avant in terms of power, but that model lacks all-wheel-drive and a manual transmission while carrying a stiff $35,000 premium. If you’re part of the unique niche that wants a performance wagon for all seasons, one that allows you to drop the clutch and ram through the gears yourself, the Audi S4 Avant is your best bet.







Specifications

Test Vehicle: 2006 Audi S4 Avant
Price of Test Vehicle: $55,945 (including a $720 destination charge and a $1,700 gas guzzler tax)
Engine Size and Type: 4.2-liter V8
Engine Horsepower: 340 at 7,000 rpm
Engine Torque: 302 lb.-ft. at 3,500 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Curb weight, lbs.: 3,979
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway): 15/21 mpg
Observed Fuel Economy: 15.3 mpg
Length: 180.6 inches
Width: 70.1 inches
Wheelbase: 104.3 inches
Height: 55.7 inches
Leg room (front/rear): 41.3/34.3 inches
Head room (front/rear): 38.4/37.2 inches
Max. Seating Capacity: Five
Max. Cargo Volume: 59 cubic feet
Competitors: BMW 530xi Wagon, Cadillac SRX V8, Dodge Magnum SRT-8, Infiniti FX45, Mercedes-Benz E500 Wagon, Mercedes-Benz R500, Volvo XC90 V8

Photos by Ron Perry