Compare the2023 Audi S8VS 2022 Genesis G90

Both the S8 and G90 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The S8 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The G90’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The S8 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The G90 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The S8 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The G90 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the S8. But it costs extra on the G90.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the S8 helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard and even aims one of the vehicle’s headlights in the direction of the person or object. The G90 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the S8 and the G90 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, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The S8’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the G90’s (12 vs. 7 years).

The S8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 198 more horsepower (563 vs. 365) and 214 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 376) than the G90 3.3T’s standard 3.3 turbo V6. The S8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 143 more horsepower (563 vs. 420) and 207 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 383) than the G90 5.0’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the Audi S8 is faster than the Genesis G90:

Regenerative brakes improve the S8’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The G90 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the S8’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The G90 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

For better stopping power the S8’s brake rotors are larger than those on the G90:

The S8 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The G90 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The S8 stops much shorter than the G90:

For better traction, the S8 has larger tires than the G90 (265/35R21 vs. 245/45R19).

The S8’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the G90’s standard 45 series front tires. The S8’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the G90’s 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the S8 has standard 20-inch wheels. Only 19-inch wheels are available on the G90. The S8 offers optional 21-inch wheels.

The front and rear suspension of the S8 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the G90, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The S8 has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The S8’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The G90 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The S8 handles at .95 G’s, while the G90 3.3T AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The S8 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.5 seconds quicker than the G90 3.3T AWD (24.4 seconds @ .79 average G’s vs. 26.9 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

The S8 has .5 inches more rear headroom and 6.5 inches more rear legroom than the G90.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Genesis. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 29% lower rating, Genesis is ranked 23rd.

If the windows are left open on the S8 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the G90 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The S8 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The G90 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The S8 has standard massaging front and optional massaging rear seats. Massaging seats aren’t available in the G90.

The S8 offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The G90 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The S8’s optional Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist Plus will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The G90 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Audi A8/S8 outsold the Genesis G90 by 39% during the 2021 model year.