Audi S4 vs. Subaru WRX
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Audi S4 and Subaru WRX 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 S4 and the Subaru WRX.
When comparing the Audi S4's and the Subaru WRX's specifications and ratings, the Audi S4 has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability and base engine power. The Subaru WRX has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Audi S4's and the Subaru WRX's specifications and ratings, the Subaru WRX is a better car than the Audi S4.
Pricing: For a new model, the Audi S4's price is between $60,760 and $70,238, with the Subaru WRX priced between $33,493 and $44,163.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Audi S4 loses 48.1 percent of its value and the Subaru WRX loses 31.1 percent of its value. This means the Subaru WRX retains 17 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Audi S4.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Audi S4 is 7.7 out of 10 while the Subaru WRX's quality rating is 8.5 out of 10. This results in the Audi S4 being ranked 15 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the Subaru WRX being ranked 18 out of 43 Best Small Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Audi S4 is 7.9 out of 10. For the Subaru WRX the reliability rating is 7.0 out of 10. This gives the Audi S4 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Subaru WRX.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Audi S4’s base engine makes 349 horsepower, and the Subaru WRX base engine makes 271 horsepower. The S4 is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 444 miles. The WRX is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 432 miles. This gives the Audi S4 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Subaru WRX. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the Subaru WRX has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Audi S4 has the advantage in the areas of rear head room and rear shoulder room.
Safety Ratings: The Subaru WRX has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$60,760 - $70,238
Starting MSRP:
$54,500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$48,375
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$31,800 - $79,900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$33,493 - $44,163
Starting MSRP:
$32,735
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$26,555
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$17,795 - $45,665
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$52,490
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$35,163 - $100,522
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
81
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
352
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$28,855
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$19,171 - $47,673
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
2,623
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
30
# Good or Great Deals:
0
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$26,695
Depreciation %:
49%
Resale Value $:
$27,805
Residual Value %:
51%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
48.9%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
33.5% - 53.5%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$10,519
Depreciation %:
32.1%
Resale Value $:
$22,216
Residual Value %:
67.9%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)
31.6%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)
24.4% - 40.1%
Audi S4 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Subaru WRX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
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:
0.1%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru WRX
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.5
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
11.2
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
10.1 - 13.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
3.3%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.1
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:
6.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2 - 18.8
Audi S4 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
4 out of / 36Ranking
9 out of / 36Ranking
11 out of / 12Ranking
15 out of / 36Ranking
17 out of / 36Ranking
24 out of / 36Ranking
25 out of / 31Ranking
28 out of / 36Ranking
31 out of / 36Subaru WRX Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
3 out of / 43Ranking
5 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
9 out of / 43Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
13 out of / 24Ranking
15 out of / 43Ranking
18 out of / 43Ranking
21 out of / 43Ranking
21 out of / 24Ranking
24 out of / 43Ranking
31 out of / 43Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Audi S4 Trim Levels
3.0T quattro Premium, 3.0T quattro Premium Plus, 3.0T quattro Prestige
Subaru WRX Trim Levels
Base, GT, Limited, Premium, TR
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:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
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
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
271 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.081 hp per pound
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
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 26 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
315 / 432 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
Massage Seats:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench 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
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
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:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
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:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.1 inches
Cargo Space:
12.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
98.9 cubic feet
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3329 lbs
Width:
79.3 inches
Height:
57.8 inches
Length:
183.8 inches
Wheelbase:
105.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/35R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Navarra Blue Metallic
Gray
Chronos Gray Metallic / Daytona Gray Pearl Effect
Green
District Green Metallic
Red
Progressive Red Metallic
White
Arkona White / Glacier White Metallic
Orange
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Sapphire Blue Pearl / WR Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Green
Not available
Red
Ignition Red
White
Ceramic White
Orange
Solar Orange Pearl
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Rotor Gray
Interior Colors
Black
Black with Red Stitching
Gray
Not available
