Compare the2023 Audi S4VS 2023 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 Audi S4 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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.

The S4’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

Both the S4 and the AMG C-Class Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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.

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

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the S4’s reliability 23 points higher than the AMG C-Class Sedan.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 18 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

On the EPA test cycle the S4 gets better fuel mileage than the AMG C 43 Sedan (21 city/30 hwy vs. 19 city/26 hwy).

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 on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

For better traction, the S4 has larger tires than the AMG C-Class Sedan (255/35R19 vs. 245/45R18).

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 AMG C-Class Sedan’s standard 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the S4 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the AMG C-Class Sedan.

For better maneuverability, the S4’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the AMG C-Class Sedan’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

The Audi S4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 16% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

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.

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.