Compare the2024 Hyundai SonataVS 2024 Audi A4

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Sonata are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The A4 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Sonata has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the A4’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Sonata has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the A4.

The Sonata’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The A4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Sonata and the A4 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, 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 and available all wheel drive.

The Sonata comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The A4’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Sonata 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the A4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Sonata for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A4.

There are almost 3 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sonata’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai above average in initial quality. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 84 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 8 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The Sonata N Line’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 29 more horsepower (290 vs. 261) and 38 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 273) than the A4 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Sonata gets better mileage than the A4:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Sonata uses regular unleaded gasoline. The A4 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Hyundai Sonata, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A4.

For better stopping power the Sonata N Line’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the A4:

The Sonata stops shorter than the A4:

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sonata is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the A4.

For better maneuverability, the Sonata’s turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the A4’s (35.9 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The design of the Hyundai Sonata amounts to more than styling. The Sonata has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is lower than the A4 (.3) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Sonata get better fuel mileage.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Sonata a Large car, while the A4 is rated a Compact.

The Sonata has 12.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A4 (104.4 vs. 92).

The Sonata has 2.7 inches more front headroom, 4.8 inches more front legroom, 2 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the A4.

The Sonata has a much larger trunk than the A4 (15.6 vs. 12 cubic feet).

The Sonata’s standard Proximity Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Engine Start/Stop standard on the A4 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

Consumer Reports rated the Sonata’s headlight performance “Fair,” a higher rating than the A4’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The Sonata is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A4 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Hyundai Sonata and the Audi A4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Hyundai Sonata outsold the Audi A4/S4 by over three to one during 2023.