Compare the2022 Audi S4VS 2021 Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan

Both the S4 and AMG C-Class Sedan have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The S4 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The AMG C-Class Sedan’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The S4 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the S4. But it costs extra on the AMG C-Class Sedan.

The S4’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG C-Class Sedan.

Both the S4 and the AMG C-Class Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the S4, with its five-star roll-over rating, is 1.1% less likely to roll over than the AMG C-Class Sedan, which received a four-star rating.

The S4’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG C-Class Sedan’s (12 vs. 5 years).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 6 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

On the EPA test cycle the S4 gets better mileage than the AMG C-Class Sedan:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi S4 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The AMG C-Class Sedan requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better traction, the S4 has larger standard tires than the AMG C-Class Sedan (245/40R18 vs. 225/45R18). The S4’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG C-Class Sedan (255/35R19 vs. 245/40R18).

The S4’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG C 43 Sedan’s standard 45 series front tires.

The S4 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the AMG C-Class Sedan; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the AMG C-Class Sedan don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For better maneuverability, the S4’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the AMG C 63 Sedan’s (38.1 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The S4’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the AMG C 43 Sedan’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The design of the Audi S4 amounts to more than styling. The S4 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is lower than the AMG C-Class Sedan (.31 to .32) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the S4 get better fuel mileage.

The S4 has .2 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom and .5 inches more rear legroom than the AMG C-Class Sedan.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the S4 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The S4 Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the S4 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the S4 and the AMG C-Class Sedan have standard heated front seats. The S4 Prestige also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the AMG C-Class Sedan.

On extremely cold winter days, the S4’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The S4 has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the AMG C-Class Sedan.