Compare the2022 BMW 8 Series Gran CoupeVS 2021 Genesis G80

The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The G80 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The G80 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the 8 Series Gran Coupe and the G80 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the G80’s (12 vs. 7 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s reliability 20 points higher than the G80.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 8 Series Gran Coupe first among large premium cars in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The G80 was rated second in its category.

The 840i Gran Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 35 more horsepower (335 vs. 300) and 57 lbs.-ft. more torque (368 vs. 311) than the G80’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The M850i Gran Coupe’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 148 more horsepower (523 vs. 375) and 162 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 391) than the G80’s optional 3.5 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the 840i Gran Coupe 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder is faster than the Genesis G80:

On the EPA test cycle the 8 Series Gran Coupe gets better mileage than the G80:

Regenerative brakes improve the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The G80 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

For better stopping power the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the G80:

The 8 Series Gran Coupe stops much shorter than the G80:

For better traction and acceleration, the 8 Series Gran Coupe has larger rear tires than the G80 (275/35R19 vs. 245/50R18).

The 840i Gran Coupe’s standard 245/40R19 front and 275/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the G80’s standard 50 series tires. The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s optional 245/35R20 front and 275/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the G80’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 840i Gran Coupe has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the G80.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 8 Series Gran Coupe can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The G80 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe M850i has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The G80 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The M850i Gran Coupe offers an available active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Genesis doesn’t offer an active suspension on the G80.

The 840i Gran Coupe xDrive handles at .92 G’s, while the G80 AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 840i Gran Coupe xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the G80 AWD (25.1 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 26.2 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

The front grille of the 8 Series Gran Coupe uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The G80 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has a much larger trunk than the G80 (15.5 vs. 13.1 cubic feet).

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The G80 doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Genesis. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 2% lower rating, Genesis is ranked 9th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the G80, the 8 Series Gran Coupe has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the 8 Series Gran Coupe has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The G80 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The 8 Series Gran Coupe also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the G80.

The BMW 8 Series comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Genesis G80 isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2021 issue and they ranked the BMW 840i Gran Coupe xDrive higher than the Genesis G80 AWD.