Compare the2022 Genesis G90VS 2022 Mercedes CLS

The G90 has standard Anti-Whiplash Front Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Anti-Whiplash Front Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The CLS doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The G90 has standard Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist-Reverse that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The CLS doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The G90’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the CLS.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the G90 has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the CLS.

Both the G90 and the CLS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the G90 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 80 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CLS has not been tested, yet.

The G90 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The CLS’ 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Genesis’ powertrain warranty covers the G90 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the CLS. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the CLS ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The G90’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CLS’ (7 vs. 5 years).

Genesis pays for scheduled maintenance on the G90 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Genesis will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CLS.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis above average in initial quality. With 45 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Genesis vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Genesis 15 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The G90 3.3T’s standard 3.3 turbo V6 produces 3 more horsepower (365 vs. 362) and 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (376 vs. 369) than the CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The G90 5.0’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 58 more horsepower (420 vs. 362) and 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 369) than the CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Genesis G90 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The CLS requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the G90 5.0’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CLS:

The G90 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the CLS; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The G90 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CLS’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the G90’s wheelbase is 8.7 inches longer than on the CLS (124.4 inches vs. 115.7 inches).

The G90’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the CLS’ (54% to 46%). This gives the G90 more stable handling and braking.

The G90 uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CLS doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the G90 a Large car, while the CLS is rated a Compact.

The G90 has 20.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CLS (113.2 vs. 93).

The G90 has 4.2 inches more front headroom, 4.4 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear headroom, 2.8 inches more rear legroom and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the CLS.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the G90 5.0’s rear seats recline. The CLS’ rear seats don’t recline.

The G90 has a much larger trunk than the CLS (15.7 vs. 11.9 cubic feet).

A power rear sunshade and rear side window sunshades are standard in the G90 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CLS doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the G90 and the CLS have standard heated front seats. The G90 also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CLS.

The G90 has standard front air conditioned seats and the G90 5.0 also has them in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The CLS doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The G90 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the CLS.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Genesis G90 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the CLS.