Compare the2023 Audi S4VS 2023 Cadillac CT4-V

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Audi S4 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Cadillac CT4-V doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The S4’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The CT4-V doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi S4 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Cadillac CT4-V doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 CT4-V 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 CT4-V.

Both the S4 and the CT4-V have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The S4’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the CT4-V’s (12 vs. 6 years).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 7 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The S4’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 24 more horsepower (349 vs. 325) than the CT4-V’s standard 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi S4 is faster than the Cadillac CT4-V turbo 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the S4 gets better mileage than the CT4-V:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi S4 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The CT4-V requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the S4’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the CT4-V:

For better traction, the S4 has larger tires than the CT4-V (255/35R19 vs. 235/40R18).

The S4’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CT4-V’s standard 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the S4 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the CT4-V.

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 CT4-V; 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 CT4-V don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the S4’s wheelbase is 1.7 inches longer than on the CT4-V (111 inches vs. 109.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the S4 is 1.5 inches wider in the front and .1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the CT4-V.

The S4 Prestige handles at .91 G’s, while the CT4-V AWD pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The S4 has .7 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the CT4-V.

The S4 has a much larger trunk than the CT4-V (12 vs. 10.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the S4 easier. The S4’s trunk lift-over height is 26 inches, while the CT4-V’s liftover is 30 inches.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the S4 offers cargo security. The CT4-V’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the S4’s available trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CT4-V doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The S4’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The CT4-V’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the S4 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CT4-V can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The S4 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The CT4-V doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

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 CT4-V 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 CT4-V doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The CT4-V’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The S4 Prestige’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the S4 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CT4-V doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The S4 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the CT4-V. 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 CT4-V.

The S4 Prestige’s Park Steering Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The CT4-V doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The S4 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the S4 will retain 47.61% to 47.65% of its original price after five years, while the CT4-V only retains 39.23% to 39.53%.

The Audi A4/S4 outsold the Cadillac CT4 by 48% during the 2022 model year.