Compare the2026 Cadillac CT4-VVS 2026 Audi S3

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 CT4-V are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The S3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CT4-V Auto has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The S3 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the CT4-V and the S3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all-wheel drive and around view monitors.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the CT4-V 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the S3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the S3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 84 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CT4-V’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 69 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Cadillac higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

The CT4-V’s standard 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 85 lbs.-ft. more torque (380 vs. 295) than the S3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The CT4-V Blackwing’s standard 3.6 turbo V6 produces 144 more horsepower (472 vs. 328) and 150 lbs.-ft. more torque (445 vs. 295) than the S3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CT4-V’s fuel efficiency. The S3 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CT4-V has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the S3 (17.4 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CT4-V has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The S3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac CT4-V, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the S3.

For better stopping power the CT4-V Blackwing’s brake rotors are larger than those on the S3:

The CT4-V stops shorter than the S3:

For better traction, the CT4-V has larger standard tires than the S3 (235/40R18 vs. 225/40R18). The CT4-V Blackwing’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S3 (F:255/35R18 & R:275/35R18 vs. 235/35R19).

The CT4-V has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The S3 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CT4-V’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the S3 (109.3 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the CT4-V is 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the S3.

The CT4-V’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.3% to 47.7%) than the S3’s (58% to 42%). This gives the CT4-V more stable handling and braking.

The CT4-V Blackwing handles at 1.04 G’s, while the S3 pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the CT4-V a Compact car, while the S3 is rated a Subcompact.

The CT4-V has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S3 (90 vs. 87).

The CT4-V has 1.5 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the S3.

The CT4-V has a much larger trunk than the S3 (10.7 vs. 8.3 cubic feet).

The engine in the CT4-V is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the S3. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The CT4-V’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CT4-V’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The S3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The CT4-V’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside 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 S3 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

The CT4-V’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The S3’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the CT4-V keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The S3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the CT4-V’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The S3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The CT4-V offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the S3.

The CT4-V is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Cadillac CT4-V, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The CT4-V Blackwing was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 3 more times in the last 5 years. The S3 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.