Audi A6 vs Genesis G80

The redesigned 2026 Audi A6 marks the ninth generation of midsize luxury sedans from Ingolstadt, Germany. While it shares a name and some tech features with the Audi A6 e-tron introduced for the 2025 model year, the gasoline A6 is an otherwise different vehicle based on the same Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) as the A5 sedan and Q5 crossover. A redesign was certainly needed as most other midsize luxury sedans—specifically the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class—were renewed more recently, and we haven’t had a genuinely new A6 since the 2020 model year.

Verdict: On paper, the A6 looks like more of a premium product than before. But it doesn’t feel that way from behind the wheel, and the tech is a work in progress.

Korean conglomerate Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) understands that some people don’t want an SUV, or a cold, technical, German sports sedan. That’s why HMG’s Genesis brand still offers three sizes of luxury sedans, with the G80 serving as the midsize model. Available with a turbocharged four- or six-cylinder engine in several trim levels, the 2026 G80 reeks of old-school elegance in the very best way.

Verdict: Quick, confident, and calming, the Genesis G80 is a refreshingly authentic luxury car that’s not trying to be something else. It lacks a badge that conveys success, but buyers can let the opulent styling and sumptuous interior do all the talking.