Audi A4 vs Subaru WRX
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Audi A4
$49,200 when new
RRP when new — this model is no longer sold new in Australia
Sedan
Petrol
—
118kW
7.2 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
Subaru WRX
From $48,890
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
202kW
9.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
414L
Audi A4: we're still completing length, width, height, wheelbase and kerb weight, plus 6 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
The Audi A4 starts from $49,200 before on-road costs, while the Subaru WRX opens at $48,890. That makes the Subaru WRX the more affordable entry point by $310.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $54,120 and $53,779 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Audi A4 by roughly $3,850 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Subaru WRX counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Audi A4 gets leather upholstery while the Subaru WRX offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Audi A4 lines up producing 118kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed manual to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.6 seconds.
The Subaru WRX responds with a Petrol making 202kW and 350Nm, paired to a manual driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.4 seconds.
The Subaru WRX has the clear power advantage at 202kW vs 118kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Subaru WRX is 2.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m diameter
Average
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.8 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,052/year for the Audi A4 and $2,822/year for the Subaru WRX. That is a $770 annual difference in favour of the Audi A4.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi A4 if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru WRX if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Subaru WRX takes 3 of 4 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Audi A4 will save you roughly $770 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi A4 and Subaru WRX?
The Subaru WRX is the cheapest at $48,890 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi A4 by $310.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Audi A4 uses the least fuel at 7.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Audi A4 and Subaru WRX carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru WRX makes the most power at 202kW. The Subaru WRX is quickest to 100km/h in 6.4s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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