Compare the2024 Subaru WRXVS 2024 Audi S4

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 WRX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The S4 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The WRX Limited SPT/GT has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The S4 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The WRX’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 S4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the WRX and the S4 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, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Subaru WRX achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The S4 has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the WRX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the S4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the S4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the WRX’s warranty.

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 WRX’s reliability 25 points higher than the S4.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 59 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 77 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Audi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 13 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the WRX lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The S4 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The WRX has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the S4 (16.6 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The WRX offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The S4 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The WRX offers an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The S4 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The WRX stops shorter than the S4:

The WRX Limited handles at .96 G’s, while the S4 Prestige pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The WRX Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the S4 Prestige (24.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 25.2 seconds @ .75 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the WRX’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the S4’s (36.74 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Subaru WRX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 500 pounds less than the Audi S4.

The WRX is 3.7 inches shorter than the S4, making the WRX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the WRX a Mid-size car, while the S4 is rated a Compact.

The WRX has 6.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S4 (98.9 vs. 92).

The WRX has 2.5 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear legroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the S4.

The WRX has a larger trunk than the S4 (12.5 vs. 12 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Subaru 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 23% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the WRX Premium/Limited/GT/TR’s exterior PIN entry system. The S4 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

Insurance will cost less for the WRX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the WRX will cost $3160 to $6900 less than the S4 over a five-year period.

The WRX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the WRX will retain 58.98% to 63.86% of its original price after five years, while the S4 only retains 54.86% to 55.98%.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru WRX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru WRX outsold the Audi A4/S4 by 82% during 2023.