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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $42,344–$54,854 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2017 Audi S4 is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.4/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.3/10, while Reliability at 6.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.2/10 for reliability, this sedan trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 8.1/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 8.3/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining sedans to actually drive. On technology it rates 8.3/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $42,344–$54,854, 18 MPG, seating 5, the Audi S4 sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. The value score of 6.6/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2017 Audi S4 sits in the middle of the field. Until its value and reliability scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2017 Audi S4 ranks #687 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 48% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $42,344 starting price is about 53% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the S4 model years we've scored, the 2017 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.9/10 | $55,208 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.9/10 | $53,600 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.8/10 | $51,992 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.7/10 | $50,384 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.7/10 | $48,776 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.7/10 | $47,168 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.6/10 | $45,560 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.6/10 | $43,952 | Read review → |
| 2017 (this review) | 7.4/10 | $42,344 | |
| 2016 | 7.5/10 | $40,736 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.5/10 | $39,128 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of Audi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.