Archived model-year dossier
2021 Audi S4
The 2021 Audi S4 makes few changes, keeping its 349-horsepower turbocharged V6, standard all-wheel drive and eight-speed automatic. The Prestige trim adds a head-up display, semi-autonomous parking and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen system. NHTSA lists four recalls (rear seat belt retractors, tires, rear axle, rearview display) and 2 complaints. EPA rates it 23 mpg combined.
Configurations1
Model/option labels1
Combined efficiency23 MPG/MPGe
Electric rangeNot listed
Decision answers5
What changed on the 2021 Audi S4
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says Audi has made few changes to the S4 for 2021, which comes solely with a 349-hp turbocharged V6, standard all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic. MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) notes the B9 generation debuted for 2017 and received a major refresh for 2020, that the Prestige adds a head-up display, semi-autonomous parking and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen system in place of the standard 10-speaker setup, and that the standard A4 might be the S4's biggest problem.
MotorWeek (opens in a new tab) lists standard quattro all-wheel drive, an eight-speed Tiptronic and a heavily revised suspension. EPA rates the 2021 S4 at 23 mpg combined and $3,350 a year in fuel.
Recalls and problems owners report
NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for the 2021 S4. 21V606000 covers rear seat belt retractors across several Volkswagen and Audi models, 22V034000 covers tires, 21V295000 covers a non-powered rear axle assembly, and 22V742000 covers a rearview display issue.
Owners have filed 2 complaints, one about the electrical system and one unknown or other. CarFactBase (opens in a new tab) and ProblemsByVin (opens in a new tab) list the record, and Consumer Reports (opens in a new tab) keeps a reliability page.
2021 S4 against the G70 and IS
The Genesis G70 lists 20 to 25 mpg combined at $3,100 to $3,900 and the Lexus IS 22 to 25 at $3,100 to $3,500. The S4's 23 mpg sits in the middle of both ranges.
Trim-by-trim specifications
The 2021 Audi S4: 3 trims compared.
Kelley Blue Book specifications, one row per trim.
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | 0–60 mph | Top speed | EPA city / hwy / comb | Seats | Basic warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | AWD | 349 | 369 | 4.4 s | 155 mph | 20 / 28 / 23 mpg | 5 | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Premium Plus | 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | AWD | 349 | 369 | 4.4 s | 155 mph | 20 / 28 / 23 mpg | 5 | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Prestige | 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | AWD | 349 | 369 | 4.4 s | 155 mph | 20 / 28 / 23 mpg | 5 | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Trim | Curb weight | Length | Height | Wheelbase | Turning circle | Fuel tank | Front headroom | Front legroom | Tires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | 3,847 lb | 187.5 in | 56.2 in | 111 in | 38.1 ft | 15.3 gal | 37.3 in | 41.3 in | P255/35R19 |
| Premium Plus | 3,847 lb | 187.5 in | 56.2 in | 111 in | 38.1 ft | 15.3 gal | 37.3 in | 41.3 in | P255/35R19 |
| Prestige | 3,847 lb | 187.5 in | 56.2 in | 111 in | 38.1 ft | 15.3 gal | 37.3 in | 41.3 in | P255/35R19 |
Equipment by trim
Which 2021 Audi S4 trim has what.
Std is standard, Opt is optional, a dash means Kelley Blue Book lists it as not available.
| Equipment | Premium | Premium Plus | Prestige |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety | |||
| Blind-spot alert | Opt | Std | Std |
| Child door locks | Std | Std | Std |
| Child-seat anchors | Std | Std | Std |
| Forward collision warning | Std | Std | Std |
| Rearview camera | Std | Std | Std |
| Top-view camera | – | Std | Std |
| Front and rear parking sensors | Opt | Std | Std |
| Rear parking sensors | Opt | Std | Std |
| Electronic stability control | Std | Std | Std |
| Traction control | Std | Std | Std |
| Technology | |||
| Bluetooth audio streaming | Std | Std | Std |
| Bluetooth | Std | Std | Std |
| Built-in internet access | – | Opt | Std |
| Navigation system | – | Opt | Std |
| Premium audio system | – | Opt | Std |
| Satellite radio | Opt | Std | Std |
| Apple CarPlay or Android Auto | Std | Std | Std |
| Steering-wheel audio controls | Std | Std | Std |
| Touchscreen | Std | Std | Std |
| Comfort | |||
| Heated front seats | Std | Std | Std |
| Heated rear seats | – | – | Std |
| Heated steering wheel | Opt | Std | Std |
| Heated mirrors | Std | Std | Std |
| Power front seats for driver and passenger | Std | Std | Std |
| Power driver's seat | Std | Std | Std |
| Leather seats | Std | Std | Std |
| Front and rear climate zones | Std | Std | Std |
| Tilt steering wheel | Std | Std | Std |
| Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel | Std | Std | Std |
| Cup holders | Std | Std | Std |
| Folding rear seat | Std | Std | Std |
| Exterior and convenience | |||
| Alloy wheels | Std | Std | Std |
| Rear spoiler | Std | Std | Std |
| Roof rails | Opt | Opt | Opt |
| Power-folding mirrors | – | Std | – |
| Remote liftgate or trunk release | Opt | Std | Std |
| Power windows | Std | Std | Std |
| Remote keyless entry | Std | Std | Std |
| Remote engine start | Opt | Std | Std |
| Proximity keyless entry | Opt | Std | Std |
| Cruise control | Std | – | – |
| Integrated garage-door opener | Std | Std | Std |
| Rain-sensing wipers | Std | Std | Std |
Complete certification table
1 configuration records.
| EPA ID / label | Engine / technology | Drive / transmission | Fuel | City | Hwy | Combined | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42997S4 | 3L 6-cyl SIDIConventional | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S8) | Premium | 20 | 28 | 23 | N/A |
Model-specific answer center
5 answers for this exact family-year.
Q01What changed on the 2021 Audi S4 versus the 2020 Audi S4?
Model year
Nothing in the certification data changed, so the 2021 Audi S4 carries the 2020 Audi S4's figures forward: 1 certification record labelled S4, 3L 6-cyl SIDI, all-wheel drive on premium, rated 23 combined MPG/MPGe and an EPA annual fuel cost of $3,350. Federal recall campaigns on file went from 3 for the 2020 to 4 for the 2021.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov certification records for both model years
Q02How do the 2021 Audi S4 trims differ from one another?
Trims
All 3 trims share the 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) making 349 hp. The Premium Plus has blind-spot alert, front and rear parking sensors, a heated steering wheel and 7 more as standard equipment over the Premium. The Prestige has heated rear seats, built-in internet access, a navigation system and a premium audio system as standard equipment over the Premium Plus.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q03How quickly does the 2021 Audi S4 accelerate from 0 to 60 mph?
Performance
The 2021 Audi S4's 0-60 mph time is 4.4 seconds on every trim. Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications. The 2020 model year has the same figure.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q04What is the 2021 Audi S4's top speed?
Performance
The 2021 Audi S4's top speed is 155 mph on every trim. Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications. The 2020 model year has the same figure.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q05What size wheels does the 2021 Audi S4 have?
Wheels and tires
The 2021 Audi S4's wheel diameter is 19 inches on every trim. Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications. The 2020 model year has the same figure.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Live NHTSA evidence
Current federal safety records for 2021 Audi S4.
Exact-vehicle evidence desk
Check the exact vehicle, not just the model name.
Recalls, build data and service applicability are determined at VIN level, not by model name.
01 · NHTSASafety ratings, recalls, complaints and manufacturer communicationsExact model-year search → (opens in a new tab)02 · NHTSACheck open safety recalls by 17-character VINOfficial VIN remedy status → (opens in a new tab)03 · vPICDecode manufacturer-submitted vehicle attributesInternal VIN tool →04 · EPAQuery another year, make, model and option1984–current browser →
FuelEconomy.gov data source (opens in a new tab) · Methodology
Other model years
Compare the Audi S4 across model years.
Ownership desk
Problems and maintenance decisions worth checking next.
Engine and coolingEngine stalls when stopping or returning to idleSoon →Transmission and drivetrainAWD vehicle binds or hops in tight turnsSoon →Brakes, tires and steeringSteering wheel shakes at highway speedSoon →Climate and electricalWindows keep fogging on the insideDepends →Maintenance and fluidsWhen should engine coolant be replaced?Routine →Hybrid and electric vehiclesWhy DC fast charging is slower than advertisedRoutine →