Compare the2024 Audi A8VS 2023 Genesis G80

The Audi A8 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 A8 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 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the A8. But it costs extra on the G80.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the A8 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 G80 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the A8 and the G80 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 and rear 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 blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The A8’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the G80’s (12 vs. 7 years).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Genesis vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 6 places higher in reliability than Genesis.

The A8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 35 more horsepower (335 vs. 300) and 58 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 311) than the G80 2.5T’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Audi A8 is faster than the G80 2.5T 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the A8 gets better fuel mileage than the G80 3.5T 3.5 turbo V6 (19 city/28 hwy vs. 16 city/25 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the A8’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The G80 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The A8 has 4.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the G80 2.5T’s standard fuel tank (21.7 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The A8 has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the G80 3.5T’s standard fuel tank (21.7 vs. 19.3 gallons).

For better stopping power the A8’s brake rotors are larger than those on the G80:

The A8’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the G80 2.5T are solid, not vented.

The A8 stops much shorter than the G80:

For better traction, the A8 has larger standard tires than the G80 (255/45R19 vs. 245/50R18). The A8’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the G80 (265/40R20 vs. 245/45R19).

The A8’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 G80 2.5T Standard’s standard 50 series tires. The A8’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the G80 3.5T Sport Prestige’s optional 40 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the A8 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the G80 2.5T Standard. The A8’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the G80 3.5T Sport Prestige.

The front and rear suspension of the A8 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the G80, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The A8 offers an available adjustable 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 A8 has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The A8’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 G80 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the A8’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the G80 (123.2 inches vs. 118.5 inches).

The A8 55 TFSI handles at .93 G’s, while the G80 pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the A8 a Large car, while the G80 is rated a Mid-size.

The A8 has 7.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the G80 (111 vs. 103.8).

The A8 has .8 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 5.6 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the G80.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the A8’s available rear seats recline. The G80’s rear seats don’t recline.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the A8 easier. The A8’s trunk lift-over height is 27.4 inches, while the G80’s liftover is 28.8 inches.

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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the G80, the A8 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 and climate settings and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the A8 to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The G80 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The A8 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The G80 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the A8 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The G80 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The A8 has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The G80 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Both the A8 and the G80 offer available massaging front seats. The A8 also offers optional massaging rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the G80.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi A8 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the G80 Sport/Sport Prestige offers wireless charging.

The A8 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 G80 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Audi A8 and the Genesis G80, based on reliability, safety and performance.