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2021 Audi S4

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.

Audi S4
Pictured: 2018 Audi S4 3.0T Premium Plus in Daytona Gray Pearl, front right. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Horsepower
349 hp
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
23 combined · 20 city / 28 hwy
Length
187.8 in
Curb weight
3,854 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 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 2021 compact car average of 27.5 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 36 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2021 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 / 28 highway), 16% worse than the 2021 compact car average of 27.5 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 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.

What changed for 2021

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 S4 — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 S4 →

Trims, performance & features

Engine349 hp3.0L 6-cyl
Transmission8-speed automatic
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

quattro Premium Plus

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Keyless startStandard
LED headlightsYes

Built in: Ingolstadt, Germany

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 1 2021 S4 configuration; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan187.8 in72.8 in55.1 in111 in61.8 / 61 in3,854 lb56/44

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
S43.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23-16%$3,550380
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
27.5 MPG2021 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2021 Audi S4 4 DR AWDNot ratedNot rated–★ / –★Not ratedNot rated★★★★★9.9%
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
StandardLane departure warning

Similar 2021 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2021 Audi S4 (this car)23 MPGNot rated4
2021 BMW 3 Series30 MPG★★★★★0
2021 BMW 5 Series28 MPGNot rated0
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class26 MPG★★★★★0
2021 Lexus IS25 MPGNot rated0
2021 Audi A428 MPGNot rated4
2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class27 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (4)

Back Over Prevention › Display Function · Oct 5, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V742000 · 170,296 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
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.
Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Retractor · Aug 5, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V606000 · 45,496 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2021 Audi S4 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

2Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
31,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unknown Or Other1
Electrical System1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/01: 125/09: 123/0125/09max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2021 Audi S4 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 1 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 31,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  4. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Audi S4. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other S4 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2025 S424187.8 inNot rated00
2024 S424187.8 inNot rated00
2023 S424187.8 inNot rated00
2022 S424187.8 inNot rated11
2020 S423187.8 inNot rated317
2019 S424186.2 inNot rated12
2018 S424186.2 inNot rated27
2016 S421185 in★★★★★00
2015 S421185 in★★★★★11
2014 S421185 in★★★★★117
2013 S421185 in★★★★★115
2012 S421185 inNot rated121

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →