Compare the2026 Genesis G80VS 2026 Audi A6

The G80 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 A6 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Genesis G80 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Audi A6 has not been tested.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The G80 Sport Prestige has a standard Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist-Reverse that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The A6 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the G80 and the A6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Genesis G80 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The A6 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

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 A6’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 A6. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the A6 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the G80 third among upper midsize premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The A6 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 above average in initial quality. With 86 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 With 60 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Genesis higher than Audi.

The G80 3.5T’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 13 more horsepower (375 vs. 362) than the A6’s 3.0 turbo V6.

The G80 3.5T’s standard fuel tank has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the A6 (19.3 vs. 16.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The G80 2.5T’s standard fuel tank has 5.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the A6 (21.9 vs. 16.1 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Genesis G80 higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Audi A6 (4). This means the G80 produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A6 every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Genesis G80, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A6.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the G80’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the A6 (118.5 inches vs. 115.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the G80 is .2 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the A6.

For better maneuverability, the G80’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the A6’s (38.1 feet vs. 40.4 feet).

The design of the Genesis G80 amounts to more than styling. The G80 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is significantly lower than the A6 (.31) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the G80 get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the G80 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The A6 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The G80 has 1.1 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the A6.

The G80 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 A6.

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