DecodedCars2020 Audi S4
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 20 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- 187.8 in
- Curb weight
- 3,854 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 23 MPG combined, 16% below the 2020 compact car average of 27.3 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 40 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2020 Audi S4 is a compact car offered with a 3.0L 6-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 188 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,854 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 27 highway), 16% worse than the 2020 compact car average of 27.3 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2020
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 S4 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 S4 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan | 187.8 in | 72.8 in | 55.1 in | 111 in | 61.8 / 61 in | 3,854 lb | 56/44 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S4 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | -16% | $3,550 | 393 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Audi S4 4 DR AWD | Not rated | Not rated | –★ / –★ | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 9.9% |
Similar 2020 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Audi S4 (this car) | 23 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2020 BMW 3 Series | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 BMW 5 Series | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2020 Lexus IS | 24 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Audi A4 | 30 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (3)
Tires · Jan 26, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V034000 · 31,058 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
- Risk
- Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Nov 10, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V874000 · 208,332 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
- Risk
- A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74E3. This recall is an expansion of Recall 19V-547 (74D9). Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-547 will need to return for the new remedy.
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-Powered Axle Assembly · Apr 26, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V295000 · 40,993 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
- Risk
- A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Not every 2020 Audi S4 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 Audi S4 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 15 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Back Over Prevention › Warnings — 8 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking — 4 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Audi S4. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other S4 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 S4 | 24 | 187.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 S4 | 24 | 187.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 S4 | 24 | 187.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 S4 | 24 | 187.8 in | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 S4 | 23 | 187.8 in | Not rated | 4 | 2 |
| 2019 S4 | 24 | 186.2 in | Not rated | 1 | 2 |
| 2018 S4 | 24 | 186.2 in | Not rated | 2 | 7 |
| 2016 S4 | 21 | 185 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 S4 | 21 | 185 in | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2014 S4 | 21 | 185 in | Not rated | 1 | 17 |
| 2013 S4 | 21 | 185 in | Not rated | 1 | 15 |
| 2012 S4 | 21 | 185 in | Not rated | 1 | 21 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →