Compare the2026 Honda Civic Type RVS 2025 Audi S4

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Civic Type R deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Civic Type R’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The S4’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The Civic Type R has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the S4’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Civic Type R has standard Cross Traffic Monitor, helping the driver avoid collisions. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the S4.

The Civic Type R’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 S4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Civic Type R and the S4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

The Honda Civic Type R achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2026 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, pedestrian crash prevention testing, and vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention testing. The S4 has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2026.

Honda’s powertrain warranty covers the Civic Type R 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the S4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the S4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Honda dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Civic Type R’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in initial quality. With 90 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 Honda vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in long-term dependability. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda fourth in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 13th.

On the EPA test cycle the Civic Type R gets better fuel mileage than the S4 (22 city/28 hwy vs. 20 city/29 hwy).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda Civic Type R higher (5 out of 10) than the Audi S4 (4). This means the Civic Type R produces up to 5.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the S4 every 15,000 miles.

The Civic Type R offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The S4 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Civic Type R stops much shorter than the S4:

For better traction, the Civic Type R has larger tires than the S4 (265/30R19 vs. 255/35R19).

The Civic Type R’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the S4’s standard 35 series tires.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Civic Type R is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than on the S4.

The Civic Type R handles at 1.03 G’s, while the S4 Prestige pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Civic Type R executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the S4 Prestige (24.5 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 25.2 seconds @ .75 average G’s).

The Honda Civic Type R may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 pounds less than the Audi S4.

The Civic Type R is 6.6 inches shorter than the S4, making the Civic Type R easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Civic Type R has a liquid-filled front engine mount. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The S4 uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Civic Type R a Large car, while the S4 is rated a Compact.

The Civic Type R has 7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S4 (99 vs. 92).

The Civic Type R has 2 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear legroom and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the S4.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Honda service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 11% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

The Civic Type R’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The S4 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Civic Type R’s standard Smart Entry 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 S4 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Civic Type R has a standard rear wiper. The S4 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Compared to traditional radio, the Honda Civic Type R’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 S4.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda Civic Type R has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the S4 Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The Civic was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 10 more times in the last 42 years. The S4 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Civic as the 2025 North American Car of the Year. The S4 has never been chosen.

The Honda Civic outsold the Audi A4/S4 by almost 471 to one during 2025.