Compare the2023 Mercedes CLSVS 2022 Genesis G90

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes CLS have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Genesis G90 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

Both the CLS and the G90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mercedes CLS is faster than the Genesis G90:

On the EPA test cycle the CLS gets better mileage than the G90:

Regenerative brakes improve the CLS’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The G90 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the CLS’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The G90 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes CLS higher (6 out of 10) than the Genesis G90 (3 to 5). This means the CLS produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the G90 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 G90.

The CLS stops much shorter than the G90:

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 G90’s standard 45 series front and 40 series rear 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 G90’s 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CLS offers optional 20-inch wheels. The G90’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

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 G90 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 G90 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 G90 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The CLS 450 4MATIC handles at .93 G’s, while the G90 5.0 pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CLS 450 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the G90 3.3T AWD (25.8 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 26.9 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

The Mercedes CLS may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 650 pounds less than the Genesis G90.

The CLS is 8.5 inches shorter than the G90, making the CLS easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CLS’ standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The G90 doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

If the windows are left open on the CLS the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the G90 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 G90 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

The CLS offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the G90.

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 G90 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The CLS’ optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The G90 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the CLS owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CLS will cost $105 to $1360 less than the G90 over a five-year period.

The CLS will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the CLS will retain 41.06% of its original price after five years, while the G90 only retains 35.84% to 36.39%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes CLS will be $3774 to $10157 less than for the Genesis G90.

The Mercedes E-Class/CLS outsold the Genesis G90 by over 16 to one during 2022.