Compare the2022 Genesis G80VS 2021 Audi A8

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the G80 with its optional rear seat reminder are reminded to check the back seat when a sensor determines the back seat is occupied. The A8 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The G80 has standard Anti-Whiplash Front Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Anti-Whiplash Front Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The A8 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The G80 offers optional Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist-Reverse that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The A8 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The G80 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the A8’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the G80 has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the A8.

The G80’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The A8 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the G80 and the A8 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the G80 its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 73 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The A8 has not been tested, yet.

The G80 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The A8’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Genesis’ powertrain warranty covers the G80 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A8. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the A8 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Genesis pays for scheduled maintenance on the G80 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Genesis will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A8.

There are over 11 percent more Genesis dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the G80’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the G80 has a standard 850-amp battery. The A8’s 380-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the G80 first among upper midsize premium cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The A8 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis 7th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 92 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis 8th in reliability, above the industry average. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Genesis vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Genesis 9 places higher in reliability than Audi.

As tested in Car and Driver the Genesis G80 turbo V6 is faster than the A8 55 TSFI 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the G80 gets better mileage than the A8 running its gasoline engine:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Genesis G80 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The A8 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Genesis G80 higher (5 out of 10) than the Audi A8 (3 to 5). This means the G80 produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A8 every 15,000 miles.

The G80 stops shorter than the A8:

The G80’s optional 275/35R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A8’s optional 40 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the G80’s turning circle is 4.1 feet tighter than the A8’s (38.1 feet vs. 42.2 feet).

The Genesis G80 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 800 pounds less than the Audi A8.

The G80 is 12 inches shorter than the A8, making the G80 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The G80 has 2.8 inches more front headroom and 1 inch more front legroom than the A8.

The G80 has a larger trunk than the A8 (13.1 vs. 12.5 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Genesis service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Genesis 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 2% lower rating, Audi is ranked 12th.

The G80 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The A8 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Consumer Reports rated the G80’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the A8’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The G80’s optional Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The A8 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The G80 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A8 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the G80 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the G80 will cost $1810 to $6310 less than the A8 over a five-year period.

The G80 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the G80 will retain 42.77% to 44.96% of its original price after five years, while the A8 only retains 35.34% to 36.18%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Genesis G80 will be $41004 to $45189 less than for the Audi A8.

The Genesis G80 outsold the Audi A8/S8 by over two to one during the 2021 model year.