A6 vs G80
Put the A6 next to the G80 and you have Audi and Genesis going after exactly the same midsize luxury car crowd. Trade-offs cut both ways here: pick the A6 and you gain on fuel economy & range; pick the G80 and you gain on engine & performance.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance G80 wins
- Fuel Economy & Range A6 wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance0.2
- Fuel Economy & Range4.0
- Engine & Performance1.5
- Fuel Economy & Range2.6
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The G80 has 39 hp more power
Think of it as a tiebreaker rather than a deal-breaker: 300 hp for the G80, 261 hp for the A6. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
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The A6 has better fuel economy
On paper, the A6 is a touch ahead here, listing 26 mpg against 24 mpg. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
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The A6 has better city fuel economy
On fuel economy (city), the A6 posts 24 mpg against 20 mpg for the G80, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. In town, driving style has a big effect, but the A6 starts from a better baseline.
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The G80 has 38 lb-ft more torque
A modest but measurable lead goes to the G80: 311 lb-ft compared with 273 lb-ft. The G80’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
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The A6 has better highway fuel economy
The A6 is slightly stronger on fuel economy (highway). The gap, 31 mpg versus 29 mpg, won’t change your life, but it isn’t nothing. Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | A6 | G80 |
|---|---|---|
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 75.4 in |
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 118.5 in |
Engine & Performance
G80 leads
Few areas are as clear-cut as this one: the G80 leads the engine & performance section with room to spare. The G80 takes this one with 39 hp more power. The G80’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed. Bottom line for engine & performance: the G80 has the edge.
Total system output
A6: 261 hp G80: 300 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Torque
A6: 273 lb-ft G80: 311 lb-ft More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Fuel Economy & Range
A6 leads
The A6 dominates the fuel economy & range section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. The A6 stands out with better fuel economy. The A6 uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. If this section decides it for you, choose the A6.
Fuel economy (combined)
A6: 26 mpg G80: 24 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (city)
A6: 24 mpg G80: 20 mpg City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
There’s little to choose between them when it comes to space & practicality. Net result on space & practicality: level.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on off-road & towing. If off-road & towing was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
Safety & Tech
The safety & tech data here comes as names and types, not scores. Check the table to see what each one uses.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | A6 | G80 |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas (12V mild hybrid) | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 2.5L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 261 hp | 300 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 273 lb-ft Least torque in class | 311 lb-ft (winner) |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch (S tronic) | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD (quattro) | AWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | A6 | G80 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 26 mpg (winner) | 24 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 24 mpg (winner) | 20 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 31 mpg (winner) | 29 mpg |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | A6 | G80 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | N/A (not specified) | 13.1 cu ft Smallest cargo area |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | A6 | G80 |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | A6 | G80 |
|---|---|---|
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | A6 | G80 |
|---|---|---|
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 75.4 in |
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 118.5 in |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the A6 if…
- you drive a lot and want lower running costs (26 mpg vs 24 mpg combined)
- you mostly drive in town (24 mpg vs 20 mpg in the city)
- you want better highway fuel economy (31 mpg vs 29 mpg)
Choose the G80 if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (300 hp vs 261 hp)
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (311 lb-ft vs 273 lb-ft of torque)
- you trust Genesis and want to keep things familiar
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the A6 or the G80?
The A6 and the G80 split the comparison (fuel economy & range for the A6, engine & performance for the G80), so pick the strength you’ll use.
Executive Summary
If it were just about the brand, you wouldn’t be here. So let’s talk about the A6 and the G80 on their merits. The biggest reason I lean toward the A6 is simple: it has better fuel economy. There’s more, too: the A6 offers better highway fuel economy. I’ll admit the G80 has a point with 39 hp more power.
Your priorities do the choosing here: fuel economy & range points to the A6, engine & performance to the G80.
My pick: decide whether you’d miss fuel economy & range or engine & performance more, then buy the A6 or the G80 accordingly.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.