Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2012 Audi A4 VS 2012 Honda Accord Near Phoenix, AZ

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Audi A4 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Honda Accord Sedan doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The A4 offers an optional collision warning system, which detects an impending crash through forward mounted sensors and flashes a bright light and sounds a loud, distinctive tone to warn the driver to brake or maneuver immediately to avoid a collision. The Accord Sedan doesn't offer a collision warning system.

The A4 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Accord Sedan doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The A4 Prestige’s blind spot warning system uses digital cameras monitored by computer to alert the driver to moving objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The Accord Sedan doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver's blind spots.

Both the A4 and the Accord Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front-wheel drive, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 38.5 MPH side impact tests on new cars. In this test, results indicate that the A4 is safer than the Accord Sedan:

More stars indicate a better chance of avoiding serious injuries. Lower numbers indicate better actual numeric test results.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Audi A4 is safer than the Honda Accord Sedan:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ( IIHS) performs roof strength tests. In that test the A4 earned the top rating of “Good” because its roof supported over four times the A4’s weight before being crushed five inches. The Accord Sedan was rated lower at “Acceptable.”

For its top level performance in frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard Electronic Stability Control, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the A4 Sedan as a “Top Pick” for 2011, a rating only granted to 98 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Accord Sedan was not a “Top Pick.”

The A4 comes with a full 4 year/50,000 mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Accord Sedan’s 3 year/36,000 mile basic warranty expires 1 year and 14,000 miles sooner.

The A4 comes with free roadside assistance for 4 years unlimited miles. Audi will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Honda doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the Accord Sedan.

The A4’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Accord Sedan’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Audi pays for scheduled maintenance on the A4 for 1 year and 5000 miles. Audi will pay for oil changes, tire rotation, lubrication and any other scheduled maintenance. Honda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Accord Sedan.

The Audi A4’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Accord Sedan’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The A4’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 34 more horsepower (211 vs. 177) and 97 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 161) than the Accord Sedan LX’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4 cyl. The A4’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 21 more horsepower (211 vs. 190) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 162) than the Accord Sedan EX’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4 cyl. The A4’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 254) than the Accord Sedan EX’s optional 3.5 SOHC V6.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Audi A4 is faster than the Accord Sedan LX (automatics tested):

For more instantaneous acceleration and better engine flexibility in any gear, the A4’s engine produces its peak torque and horsepower at lower RPM’s than the Accord Sedan:

On the EPA test cycle the A4 2.0 T FWD CVT gets better fuel mileage than the Accord Sedan EX V6 (22 city/30 hwy vs. 20 city/30 hwy).

For better stopping power the A4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Accord Sedan:

The A4 stops much shorter than the Accord Sedan:

For better traction, the A4 has larger standard tires than the Accord Sedan (245/40R18 vs. 215/60R16). The A4’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Accord Sedan (255/35R19 vs. 225/50R17).

The A4’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Accord Sedan LX/SE’s standard 60 series tires. The A4’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Accord Sedan EX’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the A4 has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Accord Sedan LX/SE. The A4’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels on the Accord Sedan EX.

The A4 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Accord Sedan’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The A4 2.0T Sedan Quattro handles at .83 G’s, while the Accord Sedan EX-L pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The A4 2.0T Sedan Quattro performs Car and Driver’s emergency lane change maneuver 4.5 MPH faster than the Accord Sedan EX (60.8 vs. 56.3 MPH).

The A4 2.0T Sedan Quattro executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Accord Sedan EX (27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

The A4 is 9.7 inches shorter than the Accord Sedan, making the A4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the A4 2.0T Sedan Quattro is quieter than the Accord Sedan EX-L:

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the A4 Sedan easier. The A4 Sedan’s trunk lift-over height is 26.5 inches, while the Accord Sedan’s liftover is 28 inches. The A4 Avant’s liftover is only 24.8 inches.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the A4’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The Accord Sedan’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The A4’s optional folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Accord Sedan’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

The engine computer on the A4 automatically engages the starter until the car starts with one twist of the key and disables the starter while the engine is running. The Accord Sedan’s starter can be accidentally engaged while the engine is running, making a grinding noise and possibly damaging the starter and ring gear.

The power windows standard on both the A4 and the Accord Sedan have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the A4 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Accord Sedan prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The A4’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Accord Sedan’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Accord Sedan LX-P/SE/EX/EX-L’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

Audi Advanced Key optional on the A4 allows the driver to unlock the doors, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the car in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Honda Accord Sedan doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The A4’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Accord Sedan’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the A4 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Accord Sedan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The A4 has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The Accord Sedan has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the EX/EX-L.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the A4 Prestige has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Accord Sedan doesn’t offer cornering lights.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the A4 Prestige Sedan to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Accord Sedan doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The A4 offers optional automatic dimming rear and side view mirrors which automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Accord Sedan has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the A4 and the Accord Sedan offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the A4 has available rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Accord Sedan LX doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the A4 Prestige offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Accord Sedan doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The A4’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that offers alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service available in a limited number of metro areas.) The Accord Sedan’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.