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.