There aren’t many midsized luxury cars that command the same level of pure admiration as the 2022 Genesis G80. With its elegantly sculpted profile, strong presence, opulent interior appointments, and value-oriented pricing, the G80 does a fantastic job of giving drivers the most bang for their buck. While it might be true that sedans have lost some thunder over the years due to the skyrocketing popularity of crossovers and SUVs, the ’22 G80 keeps this classic segment more than viable with its stellar mix of characteristics and generous array of standard features.  

With that said, while the G80 has certainly carved a respected place for itself in the industry since its debut in 2017, it still competes with the similarly equipped 2022 Audi A6 for the top spot on shopper’s short lists. We took an in-depth look at how these two highly desirable models stack up against each other in terms of their mechanical specs and standard features. Read on to see what we found.

Pricing and Coverage

For such an upscale vehicle, the 2022 Genesis G80 has a reasonable starting MSRP of $48,250. In contrast, the 2022 Audi A6’s starting MSRP is $55,900. The G80 also has the advantage with its warranties: it leads the industry (along with the related Hyundai Motor Company) with a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage). The A6 only has one all-encompassing warranty plan that lasts for 4 years/50,000 miles. To top it off, the G80 also comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance plan, which takes care of routine oil and filter changes and tire rotations. The A6 only offers one complimentary maintenance visit that expires after 5,000 miles.

Notable Standard Equipment

The 2022 G80 2.5T trim with the Prestige Package (MSRP: $57,150) includes many high-end features that the similarly priced A6 Premium (MSRP: $55,900) can’t quite match. One example is this G80’s infotainment system upgrade to a 14.5-inch touchscreen (which is substantially larger than the A6’s 10.1-inch touchscreen). It also has Digital Key (lets you unlock and start the vehicle from your smartphone), soft-close doors (which gently pull shut to prevent slamming), a wireless phone charger, heated rear seats, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and a 21-speaker Lexicon sound system. For comparison’s sake, note that the A6’s top-spec Bang & Olufsen system has just 16 speakers.

Power and Performance

The G80 is a powerhouse in its segment. Its standard engine is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 300 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. of torque. The A6’s standard engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with lower output: 261 hp and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. If you crave more power, the G80 has an available 3.5-liter V6 that generates 375 hp and 391 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s considerably more than the A6’s available 3.0-liter V6, which produces 335 hp and 369 lb.-ft. of torque. All-wheel drive is available on both models, but you’ll spend less to get it on the G80. Both models also offer an available rear-wheel steering system.

Convenience and Comfort

The 2022 Genesis G80 and the 2022 Audi A6 both have a commendable amount of cargo space (13.7 cubic feet in the A6 and 13.1 cu. ft. in the G80, meaning that the difference is not that significant). The G80 does, however, have an edge when it comes to legroom (42.5 inches up front and 38.7 inches in the rear). The A6’s front legroom is 41.3 inches, and its rear legroom is 37.4 inches.