Compare the2026 Subaru WRXVS 2025 Audi A4

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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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 WRX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The A4 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The WRX Limited Auto/GT has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The A4 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The WRX’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The A4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the WRX and the A4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru WRX is safer than the Audi A4:

	WRX	A4
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	24.5%	26%
Leg Forces (l/r)	284/524 lbs.	431/395 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	156	236
Chest Compression	.5 inches	1 inches
Leg Forces (l/r)	203/285 lbs.	324/341 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru WRX is safer than the Audi A4:

	WRX	A4
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	166	172
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	135 lbs.	219 lbs.
Hip Force	291 lbs.	308 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	255	277
Spine Acceleration	48 G’s	56 G’s
Hip Force	514 lbs.	777 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	154	333
Spine Acceleration	44 G’s	47 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the WRX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the A4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the WRX’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 82 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 61 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Audi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 7th.

Engine

The WRX’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 10 more horsepower (271 vs. 261) than the A4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the WRX lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The A4 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

The WRX has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the A4 (16.6 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The WRX offers an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The A4 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The WRX stops much shorter than the A4:

	WRX	A4
70 to 0 MPH	153 feet	155 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	124 feet	135 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	130 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Suspension and Handling

The WRX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The A4’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The WRX tS handles at .97 G’s, while the A4 Premium pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The WRX Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.4 seconds quicker than the A4 Premium (24.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the WRX tS/Series.Yellow’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the A4’s (36.1 feet vs. 38.1 feet). The WRX’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the A4’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

Chassis

The Subaru WRX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 350 pounds less than the Audi A4.

The WRX is 3.7 inches shorter than the A4, making the WRX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the WRX a Mid-size car, while the A4 is rated a Compact.

The WRX has 6.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A4 (98.9 vs. 92).

The WRX has 2.5 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear legroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the A4.

Cargo Capacity

The WRX has a larger trunk than the A4 (12.5 vs. 12 cubic feet).

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 26% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

Ergonomics

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the WRX’s exterior PIN entry system. The A4 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The WRX’s standard Keyless Access and Start allow you to unlock the doors from either front 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 A4 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

Consumer Reports rated the WRX’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the A4’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The A4’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The WRX Limited/GT/tS/Series.Yellow’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Compared to traditional radio, the Subaru WRX’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the A4.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru WRX and the Audi A4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru WRX outsold the Audi A4/S4 by almost 22 to one during 2025.

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