Compare the2022 Genesis G90VS 2021 Audi A8

The G90 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 G90 has standard 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 G90 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 G90 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 G90’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 G90 and the A8 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, 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, around view monitors and available all wheel drive.

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 “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the G90 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 G90 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 G90 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 G90 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 G90’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the G90 has a standard 950-amp battery. The A8’s 380-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 G90 3.3T 3.3 turbo V6 is faster than the A8 55 TSFI 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the G90 gets better mileage than the A8 running its gasoline engine:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Genesis G90 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The A8 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The G90 has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the A8 60 TFSI e Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better traction and acceleration, the G90 has larger rear tires than the A8 (275/40R19 vs. 255/45R19). The G90’s rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the A8 (275/40R19 vs. 265/40R20).

The G90’s 275/40R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A8’s standard 45 series tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the G90’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the A8 55 TSFI (124.4 inches vs. 123.1 inches).

For better maneuverability, the G90’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the A8’s (39.2 feet vs. 42.2 feet).

The G90 is 3.8 inches shorter than the A8, making the G90 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The G90 uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The A8 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The G90 has 2.8 inches more front headroom, 4.8 inches more front legroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the A8.

The front step up height for the G90 is 2 inches lower than the A8 (14” vs. 16”). The G90’s rear step up height is 1.8 inches lower than the A8’s (14.2” vs. 16”).

The G90 has a much larger trunk than the A8 (15.7 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 G90 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.

The G90 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 A8.

The G90 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 G90 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the G90 will cost $690 to $2550 less than the A8 over a five-year period.

The G90 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the G90 will retain 37.67% to 38.08% 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 G90 will be $14608 to $21697 less than for the Audi A8.