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2012
Audi S4

Starts at:
$47,300
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Safety rating
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NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr Sdn Man Premium Plus
    Starts at
    $47,300
    18 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas Supercharged V6
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn Man Prestige
    Starts at
    $47,300
    18 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas Supercharged V6
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn S Tronic Prestige
    Starts at
    $48,700
    18 City / 28 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas Supercharged V6
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn S Tronic Premium Plus
    Starts at
    $48,700
    18 City / 28 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas Supercharged V6
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4 2012 Audi S4

Notable features

333-hp, supercharged 3.0-liter V-6
All-wheel drive
Manual or automatic
Sedan body style

The good & the bad

The good

Tasteful, subtle styling
Interior quality
Trunk space
Premium stereo

The bad

Limited-slip rear differential not standard
Gas mileage
No Avant wagon version offered

Expert 2012 Audi S4 review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Cars.com editors
Full article
our expert's take

Vehicle Overview

The five-seat S4 is a performance version of the A4. It is offered only as a sedan, while the A4 (covered separately in the Cars.com Research section) comes as a sedan and an Avant wagon. The S4 competes with the BMW M3 and Lexus IS-F.

New for 2012
There are no significant changes for 2012.

Exterior
Like earlier S4 models, the styling differs from the A4’s, but it isn’t overdone. The casual observer wouldn’t know it’s the performance variant. It has different bumpers and a different grille, a trunk lid with an integrated spoiler, LED taillights and 18-inch wheels with performance tires. The brake calipers carry the S4 logo. Metallic “aluminum-optic” accents appear as front and rear diffuser blades, and the S4 has four tailpipes. Exterior features include:

  • 18-inch wheels on Premium Plus model
  • 19-inch wheels on Prestige model
  • Xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights with LED daytime running lights
  • Auto-dimming, heated side mirrors

Interior
The S4 is distinguished by contoured sport seats and numerous elements not found in the A4, such as a black headliner, brushed aluminum trim and a choice of carbon fiber, wood or stainless steel. S4 badges adorn the steering wheel, doorsills, gauge cluster and remote transmitter. Interior features include:

  • Keyless entry and engine start
  • Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity
  • Standard leather and Alcantara upholstery
  • Optional Silk Nappa leather upholstery
  • Optional navigation system and backup camera
  • Optional Bang & Olufsen premium stereo
  • Standard iPod integration

Under the Hood
The S4’s engine is a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 that produces 333 horsepower and 325 pounds-feet of torque. Transmission options are a six-speed manual and seven-speed automated manual, the latter equipped with dual clutches for fast gear changes. It has an automatic mode and can also be shifted manually using paddles on the steering wheel. Mechanical features include:

  • Supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 with 333 hp
  • Six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission
  • Standard Quattro all-wheel drive with a 40/60 percent front/rear torque distribution
  • Optional QuattroSport mechanical rear differential
  • Optional Audi drive select system

Safety
Along with the required front airbags come side curtain airbags that protect front and rear occupants. The front seats have torso airbags, and they can be added to the rear seats as an option. Other safety features include:

  • Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes
  • Electronic stability system with traction control

 

2012 Audi S4 review: Our expert's take

Vehicle Overview

The five-seat S4 is a performance version of the A4. It is offered only as a sedan, while the A4 (covered separately in the Cars.com Research section) comes as a sedan and an Avant wagon. The S4 competes with the BMW M3 and Lexus IS-F.

New for 2012
There are no significant changes for 2012.

Exterior
Like earlier S4 models, the styling differs from the A4’s, but it isn’t overdone. The casual observer wouldn’t know it’s the performance variant. It has different bumpers and a different grille, a trunk lid with an integrated spoiler, LED taillights and 18-inch wheels with performance tires. The brake calipers carry the S4 logo. Metallic “aluminum-optic” accents appear as front and rear diffuser blades, and the S4 has four tailpipes. Exterior features include:

  • 18-inch wheels on Premium Plus model
  • 19-inch wheels on Prestige model
  • Xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights with LED daytime running lights
  • Auto-dimming, heated side mirrors

Interior
The S4 is distinguished by contoured sport seats and numerous elements not found in the A4, such as a black headliner, brushed aluminum trim and a choice of carbon fiber, wood or stainless steel. S4 badges adorn the steering wheel, doorsills, gauge cluster and remote transmitter. Interior features include:

  • Keyless entry and engine start
  • Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity
  • Standard leather and Alcantara upholstery
  • Optional Silk Nappa leather upholstery
  • Optional navigation system and backup camera
  • Optional Bang & Olufsen premium stereo
  • Standard iPod integration

Under the Hood
The S4’s engine is a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 that produces 333 horsepower and 325 pounds-feet of torque. Transmission options are a six-speed manual and seven-speed automated manual, the latter equipped with dual clutches for fast gear changes. It has an automatic mode and can also be shifted manually using paddles on the steering wheel. Mechanical features include:

  • Supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 with 333 hp
  • Six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission
  • Standard Quattro all-wheel drive with a 40/60 percent front/rear torque distribution
  • Optional QuattroSport mechanical rear differential
  • Optional Audi drive select system

Safety
Along with the required front airbags come side curtain airbags that protect front and rear occupants. The front seats have torso airbags, and they can be added to the rear seats as an option. Other safety features include:

  • Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes
  • Electronic stability system with traction control

 

Safety review

Based on the 2012 Audi S4 base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Overall rating
4/5
Combined side rating front seat
4/5
Combined side rating rear seat
5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating driver
3/5
Frontal barrier crash rating passenger
4/5
Overall frontal barrier crash rating
4/5
Overall side crash rating
5/5
Rollover rating
5/5
Side barrier rating
5/5
Side barrier rating driver
4/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
9.9%
Risk of rollover
Side barrier rating driver
4/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
9.9%
Risk of rollover

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
4 years / 50,000 miles
Corrosion
12 years
Powertrain
4 years / 50,000 miles
Maintenance
1 years / 5,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
4 years

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
5 model years or newer / less than 60,000 miles
Basic
1 year or 20,000 miles (whichever occurs first)
Dealer certification
125-point inspection

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Consumer reviews

4.6 / 5
Based on 24 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.4
Interior 4.5
Performance 4.8
Value 4.3
Exterior 4.6
Reliability 4.3

Most recent

  • I’ve had my 2012 S4 since 2015.

    I’ve had my 2012 S4 since 2015. It has been very reliable except the rear main seal is leaking. I put a stage 1 tune on it which made it a bit quicker. I am going to miss my S4!
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Expensive to fix

    Honestly I got unlucky with mine. It’s a fabulous car in that the performance, comfort and design are amazing for the price but don’t buy one with more than 50k miles. Mine has 74k miles now and I’m staring to have all sorts of problems. Nothing engine related but stuff like sensors no longer functioning properly coolant leakage problems and the little cherry on top was my dsg failing. $5,500 for a new mechatronics unit and now I still have to replace or rebuild my trans. Another $4000 at least. Somehow when researching this car I didn’t realize how it isn’t too uncommon for this cars dsg to just completely fail around 70k-100k miles. Some people’s have even failed before reaching 50k miles. So make sure your trans is in good condition before buying one of these used. Or make sure you have some sort of an extended warranty!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 2.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Great fun car

    Great car and fun to drive. Also has kept up with newer car standards somewhat and does not truly seem or feel like an 8 year old car. However I am ready for an upgrade. Overall fast cool fun car and pretty reliable for the most part.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Best all-around everyday car I've ever driven

    The Audi S4 is the total package! Great fun, super quick, head turner, fuel efficient and totally reliable. I drove this car with my friends and, no joke, I know 7 people who purchased an S4 after they drove mine. It's THAT great.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Amazing in the winter easily tuned

    June 2020. Owned the car for almost three years now. Bought my S4 2012 at about 80k from Lauzon Audi in Laval and they gave me an amazing service so far. Now around 112K and this car is amazing in general. Very solid and great sense of security. I find the car very comfortable and so far very reliable. The S4 seats offer great lateral support and i find them very comfortable. (6f / 155lbs). I love the quick boost you get from the supercharger combined with this V6. Mine has a DSG/ Automatic transmission and it feels appropriate for this kind of power. Not a fan of automatic trans but very cool when combined with this power plant. It’s a bit nose heavy and has significant understeer when cornering. It’s feels like a heavy car due to many factors including engine placement and Quattro transmission. The version equipped with the sport differential can potentially help in corners if you are looking for more performance in these situations. Will help turn the car. It bought it tuned with a stage 1+ and it delivers about 400hp+ and around 375 lbs of torque. The manufacturer will not cover the extended warranty that would usually apply on non modified S4 but it’s a trade off that I was willing to make when I bought it! Only using 94 Octane as requested after this tune/ ECU flash. Things to watch: The defroster/vent in the front is very narrow and ice builds up easily when the car is exposed to freezing rain especially when driving on the highway. The heater is not very hot and the A/C is not very cold. Maybe maintenance is needed on the A/C after 9 years of existence. This V6 engine has carbon build up and could potentially need an extensive clean up. I did not get this problem yet but I know they exist. Many videos on YouTube. One of the extended warranty issued by Audi is the secondary air flow carbon build up. An oxygen sensor that needs to be cleaned by Audi. (Code P0411) If the one you are buying is tuned, this 1000$+ operation is not covered by the Audi’s extended warranty. Nothing major but your engine light will pop. Mine comes on and comes off by itself Watch for paint falling off around lower part front fenders towards the door hinges. The B8 and B8.5 do not have plastic trims to protect the narrow portion of the fender parallel to the tire. I have found at Audi a part that fitted and was installed with 2 self taping screws “custom” to protect the fresh paint. I was using S5 alloy wheels one winter and it really didn’t help since the bore center of these wheel are not the same as S4 wheels, extruding the wheels a little further towards the edge of the fender. My brakes (even if new and installed OEM rotors and pads) always felt a bit too weak for me. I owned a few VW GTI and the brake feeling is quite the opposite. DSG Transmission oil change is not cheap and needs to be done every 60K... Other than that no problem so far. The car is solid, it launches like a rocket on pavement or in the snow. I’m no expert but I have learned a few things about the Audi S4 B8.5 since I bought it! I’m satisfied with the car in general and I’m willing to invest the money to keep this car maintained properly. I believe that it’s a commitment that S4 owners have to make in order to be happy with the cost related to driving such a car. If you find a clean one that has been loved and that you are willing to invest and get a lot of comfort and performance in return, you will be happy.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    6 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Expensive to maintain

    It’s a nice vehicle until you need required transmission service and oil changes better have deep pockets.. My transmission went bad 10k miles into my ownership its 8 months needs a 8k transmission time to move on from this one.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 2.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • super quick

    insane pickup, not a lot of engines noise, cool interior design, plenty of room for over 6 ft ppl in front but that then leaves no room in back.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Discreet luxury sport rocket

    Just got my used 2012 S4 with auto and 66,500 miles on it. The car had 2 previous owners and looked as close to just off the showroom floor as could be. After 2 months I’m loving it. I read a lot of reviews by owners before getting it because I don’t have deep pockets and I knew Audi’s can be expensive when they break. I was amazed to hear that reliability had not been an issue, so I rolled the dice and got mine. I really can’t think of any other car that for the price (got mine for under 21k) that comes close to having the looks and performance it has. 0-60 5 secs stock. With a simple stage 1 program and no other mods to engine you can get another 100 hp and 80+ lbs of torque and drop the 0-60 closer to 4 secs. And it stops just as quick. The leather and suede sport seats look great and hug you in the twist and turns. Haven’t taken a long drive yet so can’t comment on long drive comfort, but they’ve been comfortable for me so far. I have the premium which doesn’t have the adjustable suspension. It handles great, little to no roll in the turns at speed. On the firm side of course, but not painful. It sits high enough that that it doesn’t bottom out easily and front end clears most parking curbs. I really wanted a manual, which I haven’t had for years, but already realizing I’m better off with the auto. I can drive 1 handed if needed (if I’m drinking or snacking). This is my first paddle car which is almost as fun as a manual. Shifts are pretty quick with the paddles. I do notice occasionally a slight lag, but not often. Down side is if it lags or I miss the shift at redline the limiter kicks in and after that the limiter starts automatically shifting at 4K. You can fit 4 adults comfortably in car. I’ve had my wife and her friend in back and they said they were comfortable. My wife’s on smaller side at 504 her friend tho is about 508. Oh. I’m 604 180 and have plenty of legroom in front and even jumped in back and felt there was legroom for me with front seats about halfway up. I also like that backseat seat backs fold near flat so you can extend your trunk space into backseat. I’m a little disappointed with gas mileage at the moment. I’m getting 18 mpg. I drive on average 60 miles a day split between freeway and streets. I do play some but not enough that it should be drastically reducing the mileage. I plan on putting new plugs and points in soon just because I’m not sure if they’ve been since new. Last but definately not least. This thing is fast. Put your right foot down and the awd rockets the speedo clockwise at warp speed. Even cruising at 80 if you put your foot down you’ll be triple digits in the blink of an eye. Just to be clear I’m not partial to any maker. I like many of the models from all high end auto makers. But seeing as I do not have those deep pockets the S4 was my best option, and I have to say even if money wasn’t an issue, I’d still get the S4. After having it just these 2 months I am impressed with its performance. I already liked its styling/look.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • My most favorable car I've owned.

    The amazing performance of this car is the best as well as the pipe I've had installed just makes this car breathtaking! The experience you'll get is definitely worth it.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Great! Super sporty car !

    This has been great since I have owned it for 2 years now and there isn?t one thing I could say negative about it , as long as you keep any car mai taiened it will keep you going !
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Great reliable car.

    Love it. Sporty fun to drive, impeccable handling, quattro AWD makes it tank in the snow that can go anywhere. Reliable w very few issues.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Fantastic Car

    Quiet, fast, comfortable, cruises easily at 80 MPH, reliable, great styling. The ONLY complaint is a car at this price point does not stream music BT. It does have AUX cable input.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Audi dealers near you

FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2012 Audi S4?

The 2012 Audi S4 is available in 2 trim levels:

  • Premium Plus (2 styles)
  • Prestige (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2012 Audi S4?

The 2012 Audi S4 offers up to 18 MPG in city driving and 27 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2012 Audi S4?

The 2012 Audi S4 compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2012 Audi S4 reliable?

The 2012 Audi S4 has an average reliability rating of 4.3 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2012 Audi S4 owners.

Is the 2012 Audi S4 a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2012 Audi S4. 91.7% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.6 / 5
Based on 24 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.4
  • Interior: 4.5
  • Performance: 4.8
  • Value: 4.3
  • Exterior: 4.6
  • Reliability: 4.3

Audi S4 history

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