Genesis G80 vs Audi S8
What's the difference?

Genesis G80

$104,128 - $156,418

2026 price

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Audi S8

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2021 price

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Maserati Quattroporte

Mazda 6

Mercedes-AMG E63

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C43

Mercedes-Benz C63

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Rolls-Royce Spectre (bev)

Summary

2026 Genesis G80

2021 Audi S8

By Byron Mathioudakis

By Peter Anderson

Safety Rating

Engine Type

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Twin Turbo V8, 4.0L

Fuel Type

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Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

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10.2L/100km (combined)

Seating

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Likes

Size and presence
Spacious, luxurious & comfy cabin
Commanding dynamics

Technical extravaganza
Elegant looks
Punchy V8

Dislikes

Thirsty V6 (hybrid would be nice)
Not as sporty as SL name implies - but not bad
Not as luxurious as SL name implies - but not bad

Tricky to find a space big enough
Pricey
Short warranty

2026 Genesis G80 Summary

Remember those extra-long Australian luxury sedans like the Ford Fairlane and Holden Statesman/Caprice?

The patriotic choice in an era where that mattered and further protected by tariffs on imports that made them barely any more expensive than a base mid-sized Euro like a BMW 318i, they dominated the top end of the market with their sheer size outside, vast space inside and big-six or V8 grunt.

Like they used to say, there is no substitute for cubic inches.

Well, the spirit of these beloved local social-climbing classics lives on in just one modern car in 2025, the Genesis G80. Over three generations since 2008, it has been Hyundai’s tilt at the premium establishment, in much the same way as the Fairlane and Caprice were, and Toyota’s Lexus luxury brand still is.

We take a dive into the latest petrol-powered range-topper version, the 3.5T All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Sport Luxury (SL), which gives off more than its fair share of vintage HSV Grange vibes.

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2021 Audi S8 Summary

Big sedans are not in vogue at the moment and huge luxury sedans were on the way down before the humble Commodore and Falcon departed the upper end of the sales charts. The Germans, who have always done a spectacular job of these flagship sedans, cheerfully persist with these cars.

Absolutely loaded with fascinating technology that bleeds its way down to the more mainstream models, they represent the zenith of the brand's innovation and style. The A8 is certainly that.

What it isn't, is particularly sporty, but after two years since its launch, V8 power has reached the fourth-generation super-sedan to deliver the latest iteration of the iconic S8.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Genesis G80 2021 Audi S8

Verdict

Overall, then, the flagship G80 tries to be docile Clark Kent and the amazing Superman in one. As such, it stretches itself trying to be both a luxury GT and high-functioning sports sedan.

But while it doesn’t quite achieve either perfectly the Genesis gets near enough for most – especially at its exceptional price point.

Verdict

The S8's existence is a source of joy for me because it's not a huge SUV. Yes, it's a huge sedan but it's a reminder that the technological flagship is alive and well, at least in Germany. And the important thing about these cars is the way the toys filter down through the rest of the range. That used to take years but we're seeing this cool stuff a lot more quickly, right down to the A1.

The S8 punches, and punches hard in this rarefied part of an already shrunken section of the market - the twin-turbo V8 matches its German rivals, it's lighter and it's as well-stacked as any of the three. What it doesn't do, however, is shout about itself the way the other two do. It's the incognito choice.

Genesis G80 vs Audi S8 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Genesis G80 vs Audi S8
What's the difference?