S3 vs K4

Compare two new cars by price, estimated monthly payment, fuel economy, and other specifications. Data comes from the CarPayCheck.com catalog and uses your selected financing terms.

Specifications

  S3 K4
Manufacturer Audi Kia
Starting price
Monthly payment
Fuel type Gasoline Gasoline
Fuel economy 26.0 mpg 30.0 mpg
CO₂ emissions 346 g/mi 267 g/mi–314 g/mi
Annual maintenance cost

Common issues

Audi S3

Common-issue data is not available yet.

Kia K4

Early-build 2025 Kia K4 sedans have reported instrument panel failures and inoperable power sunroofs, which appear to be electrical or assembly-quality defects rather than normal wear. These issues have not become a widespread recurring defect, and JD Power gave the 2025 and 2026 K4 models a reliability score of 86. The likely consequence is the need for dealer repair, typically covered under warranty, but no independent out-of-pocket cost estimate is available.

Fewer than 30 early-production 2025 Kia K4 vehicles were recalled for loose engine bolts, which can cause engine noise, vibration, oil leaks, or potentially engine damage. This is a safety compliance recall, so repairs are performed at no charge to the owner. Affected owners should contact a Kia dealer for inspection and repair.

About this comparison

Audi S3 and Kia K4 suit different driving needs. The main differences below cover price, monthly payment, fuel economy, and running costs.

Both models use Gasoline. Fuel economy is S3 — 26.0 mpg; K4 — 30.0 mpg. K4 uses less energy in everyday driving.

The final choice is about more than numbers: annual distance, city or highway use, and the space your household needs all matter. Use the CarPayCheck.com calculator to apply your financing terms and evaluate both cars in your situation.

Want to compare other models? Return to the full catalog or calculate financing using your own terms.