Audi A4 vs. Audi S4
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Audi A4 and Audi S4 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Audi A4 and the Audi S4.
In comparing the Audi A4's and the Audi S4's specifications and ratings, the Audi A4 has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, fuel efficiency, reliability and overall quality score. The Audi S4 has the advantage in the areas of resale value and base engine power. The Audi A4 and Audi S4 have the same interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Audi A4's and the Audi S4's specifications and ratings, the Audi A4 is a better car than the Audi S4.
Pricing: For a new model, the Audi A4's price is between $45,370 and $54,500, with the Audi S4 priced between $60,760 and $70,238.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Audi A4 loses 50.2 percent of its value and the Audi S4 loses 48.1 percent of its value. This means the Audi S4 retains 2.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Audi A4.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Audi A4 is 8.5 out of 10 while the Audi S4's quality rating is 7.7 out of 10. This results in the Audi A4 being ranked 11 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the Audi S4 being ranked 17 out of 36.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Audi A4 is 8.1 out of 10. For the Audi S4 the reliability rating is 7.9 out of 10. This gives the Audi A4 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Audi S4.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Audi A4’s base engine makes 201 horsepower, and the Audi S4 base engine makes 349 horsepower. The A4 is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 536 miles. The S4 is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 444 miles. This gives the Audi A4 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Audi S4. Both models use premium unleaded.
Safety Ratings: The Audi A4 has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
45370 - 54500
Starting MSRP:
41900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
48375
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
31800 - 79900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
60760 - 70238
Starting MSRP:
54500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
48375
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
31800 - 79900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
45394
Price Range:
39992 - 51860
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
52490
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
35163 - 100522
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
98
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
23220
# Good or Great Deals:
25
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
52490
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
35163 - 100522
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
9
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
12484
# Good or Great Deals:
0
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
21732
Depreciation %:
0.51866314
Resale Value $:
20168
Residual Value %:
0.48133686
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.48947277
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.33466199 - 0.53474953
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
26695
Depreciation %:
0.4898075
Resale Value $:
27805
Residual Value %:
0.5101925
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.48947277
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.33466199 - 0.53474953
Audi A4 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.501396 / 10
Reliability:
8.131781 / 10
Retained Value:
7.372409 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Audi S4 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.719412 / 10
Reliability:
7.934187 / 10
Retained Value:
7.504637 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi A4
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
8.7
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
8.1 - 14.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.013
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi S4
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
8.1
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
8.1 - 14.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.001
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.2073528782589458
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.2 - 14.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.127759519930388
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.2 - 14.6
Audi A4 Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
4 out of / 32Ranking
5 out of / 36Ranking
7 out of / 32Ranking
9 out of / 36Ranking
11 out of / 36Ranking
29 out of / 36Ranking
29 out of / 36Ranking
31 out of / 36Ranking
33 out of / 36Audi S4 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
15 out of / 36Ranking
16 out of / 36Ranking
17 out of / 36Ranking
24 out of / 36Ranking
25 out of / 32Ranking
30 out of / 36Ranking
30 out of / 36Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Audi A4 Trim Levels
quattro Premium 40 TFSI, quattro Premium Plus 40 TFSI, quattro Prestige 40 TFSI, quattro S line Prem Plus 45 TFSI, quattro S line Premium 45 TFSI, quattro S line Prestige 45 TFSI
Audi S4 Trim Levels
3.0T quattro Premium, 3.0T quattro Premium Plus, 3.0T quattro Prestige
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
201 hp @ 4200 rpm
Torque:
236 foot-lbs @ 1450 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
349 hp @ 5400 rpm
Torque:
369 foot-lbs @ 1370 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.090 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 35 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
398 / 536 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 29 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
321 / 444 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.5 inches
Cargo Space:
12 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
92.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.5 inches
Cargo Space:
12 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
92.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3638 lbs
Width:
79.6 inches
Height:
56.2 inches
Length:
187.5 inches
Wheelbase:
111 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.2 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3880 lbs
Width:
79.6 inches
Height:
56.2 inches
Length:
187.5 inches
Wheelbase:
111 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/50R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/35R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Brilliant Black / Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Navarra Blue Metallic
Gray
Manhattan Gray Metallic
Green
District Green Metallic
Silver
Florett Silver Metallic
White
Arkona White / Glacier White Metallic
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Navarra Blue Metallic
Gray
Chronos Gray Metallic / Daytona Gray Pearl Effect
Green
District Green Metallic
Silver
Not available
White
Arkona White / Glacier White Metallic
Red
Progressive Red Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Atlas Beige
Black
Black
Brown
Okapi Brown
Gray
Rock Gray
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
Gray
Rotor Gray
