Compare the2023 Mercedes CLSVS 2023 Genesis G80

Both the CLS and the G80 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

There are over 25 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Genesis dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the CLS’ warranty.

The CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 62 more horsepower (362 vs. 300) and 58 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 311) than the G80 2.5T’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mercedes CLS is faster than the Genesis G80:

On the EPA test cycle the CLS 450 4MATIC gets better fuel mileage than the G80 3.5T 3.5 turbo V6 (22 city/30 hwy vs. 16 city/25 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the CLS’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The G80 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The CLS has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the G80 2.5T’s standard fuel tank (21.1 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CLS has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the G80 3.5T’s standard fuel tank (21.1 vs. 19.3 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes CLS higher (6 out of 10) than the Genesis G80 (5). This means the CLS produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the G80 every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes CLS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the G80.

For better stopping power the CLS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the G80:

The CLS’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the G80 2.5T are solid, not vented.

The CLS stops much shorter than the G80:

For better traction and acceleration, the CLS has larger rear tires than the G80 (275/35R19 vs. 245/50R18).

The CLS’ standard 245/40R19 front and 275/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the G80 2.5T Standard’s standard 50 series tires. The CLS’ optional 245/35R20 front and 275/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the G80 3.5T Sport Prestige’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CLS has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the G80 2.5T Standard.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the CLS can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The G80 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The CLS has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The CLS’ height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The G80 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The CLS’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The G80 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The CLS 450 4MATIC handles at .93 G’s, while the G80 pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CLS 450 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the G80 AWD (25.8 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 26.2 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the CLS 450 4MATIC is quieter than the G80 (63 vs. 66 dB).

The CLS’ standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The G80 doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the G80, the CLS has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the CLS to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The G80 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the CLS offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The G80 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The CLS also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The CLS offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The G80 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Mercedes E-Class/CLS outsold the Genesis G80 by over four to one during 2022.