2025 Audi S4 vs 2026 BMW 4 Series

$54,900 · Sedan

$52,600 · Coupe

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical difference lies in the power output, where the 2025 Audi S4 produces 349 hp compared to the 2026 BMW 4 Series' 255 hp, an advantage of 94 horsepower. Conversely, the BMW 4 Series boasts 15.5 cu ft of cargo space versus the Audi S4’s 12.0 cu ft. Fuel economy is another key divergence; the S4 achieves 24 MPG combined while the 4 Series' rating is not provided, though its smaller engine suggests potential efficiency gains if specs were equalized. Pricewise, the S4 commands a higher MSRP at $54,900 versus the 4 Series at $52,600. The S4 also delivers superior torque with 369 lb-ft compared to the 4 Series' 295 lb-ft, supporting its performance orientation. Both utilize an 8-speed automatic transmission, but the S4 employs AWD while the 4 Series uses RWD.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Audi S4

The Audi S4 offers a superior combined 24 MPG and the stability of all-wheel drive, benefiting daily driving conditions.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 BMW 4 Series

Although both are compromised family vehicles, the 2026 BMW 4 Series offers a larger trunk at 15.5 cu ft versus the S4's 12.0 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Audi S4

The Audi S4 provides substantially more power with 349 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque compared to the BMW's 255 hp and 295 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2026 BMW 4 Series

The BMW 4 Series has a lower entry MSRP of $52,600, presenting a better initial value proposition before accounting for running costs.

Choose the Audi S4 if...

Maximum acceleration and outright performance are priorities, as evidenced by its 349 hp output.
All-weather traction is required, thanks to its standard all-wheel drive system.
The driver prefers an AWD platform delivering 369 lb-ft of torque versus the RWD competitor.

Choose the BMW 4 Series if...

A lower initial purchase price of $52,600 is desired over the S4's $54,900 MSRP.
Greater luggage capacity is needed, provided by its 15.5 cu ft trunk compared to 12.0 cu ft.
A traditional rear-wheel-drive dynamic is preferred over the S4's standard AWD.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Audi S4	BMW 4 Series
Length	187.5"	187.9"
Width	72.7"	72.9"
Height	56.2"	54.6"
Wheelbase	111.0"	112.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Audi	BMW
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	—
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Integrated Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Integrated Headrests	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Audi	BMW
Base Engine Displacement	3.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	349 hp @ 6300 rpm	255 hp @ 4700 rpm
Torque	369 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm	295 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Audi	BMW
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	rear wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—

Fuel

Feature	Audi	BMW
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/29 MPG	—
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	—
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	306.0/443.7 mi.	0/0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.3 gal.	15.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Audi	BMW
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	—
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Audi	BMW
Infotainment Display	10.1 in	14.9 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	180W	205W
Speaker System	10	10
Subwoofer Count	1	2
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	12 months

Power Feature

Feature	Audi	BMW
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	1st Row Power Glass
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Keyless Entry	—	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Audi	BMW
Front Head Room	37.3 in.	38.0 in.
Front Leg Room	41.3 in.	41.8 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	55.1 in.
Seat Material: Leather/Sueded Microfiber	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Sport	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	10-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	10-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Massage Function	✓	—
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	2-way
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	2
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	2-way
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Audi	BMW
Rear Head Room	37.4 in.	35.2 in.
Rear Leg Room	35.7 in.	34.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.5 in.	51.0 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Audi	BMW
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	19 in	—
Tire Type	Performance	—
Tire Size	✓	225/45R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	—	18 x 7.5 in
Run Flat Tires	—	✓

Suspension

Feature	Audi	BMW
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Audi	BMW
Basic Warranty	—	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	—	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	8 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	—	12 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	—	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Audi S4 and 2026 BMW 4 Series.

Which car is faster in a straight line: the S4 or the 4 Series?

Based purely on provided specifications, the 2025 Audi S4 should be significantly quicker due to its 349 hp output, which is 94 horsepower more than the 2026 BMW 4 Series' 255 hp. This higher horsepower figure translates directly into faster acceleration capabilities.

How does the 2025 Audi S4 compare in size to the 2026 BMW 4 Series?

The Audi S4 is slightly shorter in length at 187.5 inches versus the BMW's 187.9 inches, but the S4 is notably taller at 56.2 inches compared to the 4 Series’ 54.6 inches. Both vehicles maintain similar widths.

Is the fuel requirement for the BMW 4 Series stricter than the Audi S4?

Yes, the 2026 BMW 4 Series requires premium unleaded fuel, whereas the 2025 Audi S4 only recommends it. This means the 4 Series mandates the use of higher-octane fuel for operation.

Does the difference in body style (Sedan vs. Coupe) affect utility?

The body style strongly impacts utility, as the 2026 BMW 4 Series Coupe offers 15.5 cu ft of cargo capacity, surpassing the 2025 Audi S4 Sedan's 12.0 cu ft measurement.

What is the torque advantage for the Audi S4 over the BMW 4 Series?

The Audi S4 outputs 369 lb-ft of torque, creating a 74 lb-ft advantage over the BMW 4 Series' 295 lb-ft figure. Higher torque aids in responsiveness during mid-range acceleration.

How similar are the transmissions in these two competitors?

Both the 2025 Audi S4 and the 2026 BMW 4 Series utilize an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. This shared technology suggests comparable smoothness and responsiveness across both platforms.