MotorMouths

The 2013 Audi S4 proves that luxury and performance can live together in one well-balanced package.

The 2010 S4 is our pick of the entire Audi range (well, except for the R8 supercar), the S4 makes other sports sedans look silly with its appealing looks, swanky interior and sheer speed.

The Audi S4 is so brilliant at keeping its poise and packing a big punch in nearly every situation, whether it’s slinging through a tight highway onramp or putting quietly in traffic. It is both wildly entertaining and comfortable as a daily driver.

For performance enthusiasts, the Audi S4 is the deal of the century. It is too good — it feels like it was bred for corners, rather than merely adapted to deal with them.

The Audi S4’s appeal lies far beyond simply its value. It’s a reasonably-priced, high-performance German sports sedan that offers that impossible-to-describe “something special” feel of a limited-run model.

The Audi S4 Quattro offers elegance in balance, enough power to do what needs to be done, enough comfort to grant an ease and enjoyment in doing, all blessed with safety, good looks and, at least, a daily operating price somewhere in the range of “affordable.”

If the test S4, in bright red paint and mostly black interior, was any indication, buyers will get a car that has personality galore. It was spirited, right out of the garage and down the driveway. A little nudge of the accelerator while I was in first gear pushed my head back into the head restraint.

While the S4 is more expensive than the BMW 335xi, the difference is immediately realized considering the Audi’s extra performance. There is no touching the S4 in terms of interior styling, build quality, and available amenities.

The redesigned Audi S4 is superior to its predecessor in just about every other way. It’s quicker and less expensive, it gets better mileage and it finally offers handling that challenges BMW.

Its rivals lack the ability of the 2010 Audi S4 to adapt to full-whack driving with the push of a button. Plus, the S4 is quicker. And in the sport sedan segment, quick counts for something.

When you combine the performance of the Audi S4, with excellent road manners and high quality interior and exterior appointments, there isn’t much to dislike.

Audi’s S4 now faces off directly against BMW’s more subdued 335ix. Those who like more excitement in their cars will be disappointed. The S4 no longer has race-car pretensions with the noise and discomfort that accompanies it. Those who prefer luxury, however, will be pleased.