The Genesis G80 Is Cheaper and Better Than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class
There are a lot of ways to spend $50,000 on a new car. After all, that is the average new car price in 2023. So with new car pricing on the rise, a model like the Genesis G80 stands out. It’s anything but average, going toe-to-toe with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class on quality. But on value? The Genesis undoubtedly comes out ahead.
The Genesis G80 beats the Mercedes-Benz E-Class on standard features
As is the way with Genesis, the G80 is packed with standard features. The base Genesis G80 costs just $50,000, but comes with a wealth of features that are merely optional in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Sure, they share things like power-adjustable front seats and memory functions. But when you get beyond the requisite luxury sedan kit, the G80 starts to stretch its lead.
For example, ventilated seats come automatically with an upgrade to the 3.5-liter turbo. On the E-Class, no matter which model you choose, you’ll have to shell out an extra $450. That’s in addition to its higher $56,500 starting price. And that’s just the beginning.
Other G80 advantages include a standard heads-up display and park assist, both of which add a level of quality to the driving experience that should be standard in the E-Class, but isn’t. And if you toss in the G80’s standard adaptive cruise control, compared to the $2,400 optional assist package in the Mercedes-Benz, it’s a wonder there aren’t G80s in every upper-middle class driveway in America.
More power for money makes the Genesis a winner
Taking a peek under the hood, the Genesis G80 continues to punch above its weight. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder turbo comes standard, delivering 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class uses a 2.0-liter turbo offering 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. And if you’re looking into six-cylinder luxury cars, the Genesis G80 still has you covered.
The 3.5-liter V6 turbo in the G80 makes 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. And in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a 3.0-liter inline-six turbo chucks out 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. However, the E-Class does earn a rare victory here thanks to its mild-hybrid system.
That bit of electrification lets the German sedan enjoy the same 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway of the four-cylinder model. Comparatively, the G80 3.5T earns a paltry 16 mpg city and 25 highway mpg for its added performance.
The G80 is hands-down a better value than its German rivals
We all know that Mercedes-Benz isn’t out here making bad cars. But Genesis is hell-bent on changing the game, and it’s working. That the G80 offers better performance, nearly identical efficiency, and more standard features for $6,500 less than the E-Class isn’t an accident.
Sure, Genesis doesn’t have the pedigree of Mercedes-Benz. But one look at the G80 cements that it’s something special. And at first drive, it becomes immediately clear how the Korean luxury brand is setting the Europeans back on their heels.
