Every time I get my hands on an Audi S4, I get surprised. This time I looked at the $58,845 window sticker and contemplated how expensive this was for a rather compact wagon. A week later I once again understood the value and attraction of the S4 models.

Audi is a niche player in the automotive manufacturing world. As a premium brand subsidy of Volkswagen, the Midwest has yet to appreciate Audi as a significant player in the luxury performance field. The iconic Beetle of the 1960s still often defines Volkswagen in the mind of many, but Volkswagen does much more than build economy cars. Lamborghini, Bugatti, and Bentley are some of the most sought after nameplates in the world and share the stable with Audi and Volkswagen. Even Porsche with a long history of cooperation shares a financial interest and technology with Volkswagen.

The Audi S4 is a surprisingly solid performance vehicle with impressive statistics. With 340 horses and 302 lb. ft. of torque the Audi S4 delivers muscle car acceleration with sports car grace. Don't let the station wagon profile fool you this is a performance machine equipped with a multi-link front and rear independent suspension complete with stabilizer bar and coil springs. Stability control and the center limited slip differential team up with the latest Quattro all wheel drive system to provide excellent power distribution on every type of road. Tiptronic six speed automatic transmission blends perfectly with the engine and chassis providing an exceptional driving experience.

The 2006 Audi S4 Avant is more than superb mechanical engineering. Inspiring relaxed confidence, the interior wraps driver and passenger in a luxury cocoon complete with every desired technology. Leather wrapped Recaro sport seats are electrically adjustable with height, lumbar, thigh support, and tilt correction for the perfect fit.

The 2006 Audi S4 Avant is a true driving joy but it is not without distractions. After you get over the initial price point you are reminded that this is a compact vehicle. Rear seat room is cramped and luggage space is minimal for a wagon. Excellent cargo dividers and interior design engineering is appreciated but as a wagon there is limited utility. The Premium Audio Package combined with the Audi Navigation screen had a fine sound but the interface was confusing and complicated. Just when I thought this vehicle had it all, including XM Satellite radio and Bluetooth interface, I realized the CD player did not play a burned MP3 disk.

The negatives are minor and far outweighed by the feel and overall quality of the package. Opening and shutting doors reminded me an old vintage Mercedes Benz with the "carved out of a rock" solid feel. The drive is solid and most surefooted and safety features abound in this sport wagon.

A 2006 Audi S4 Avant is priced several thousand dollars above the A4 Avant, but there is little comparison between the two. The S4 line with the awesome 4.2 liter V8 hiding beneath the skin is much more powerful than the 2.2 Liter turbo and 3.2 liter V6 engines found in the A4.

The 2006 Audi S4 Avant may not be in every driveway but for the discriminating driver there will be an understanding that the most popular is not always the best.