Compare the2023 Mercedes E-Class SedanVS 2023 Genesis G80

The E-Class Sedan offers an optional Post Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The G80 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the E-Class Sedan 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 lane departure warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mercedes E-Class Sedan is safer than the Genesis G80:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mercedes E-Class Sedan is safer than the Genesis G80:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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 front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the E-Class Sedan its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 134 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The G80 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

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

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the E-Class Sedan has a 180-amp alternator. The G80’s standard 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

The E 450 4MATIC Sedan’s standard 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 E 450 4MATIC Sedan 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the G80 3.5T 3.5 turbo V6:

On the EPA test cycle the E-Class Sedan gets better mileage than the G80:

Regenerative brakes improve the E-Class Sedan 450’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The G80 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The E-Class Sedan 450’s standard fuel tank 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 E-Class Sedan higher (6 out of 10) than the Genesis G80 (5). This means the E-Class Sedan 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 E-Class Sedan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the G80.

The E-Class Sedan’s 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 E-Class Sedan stops much shorter than the G80:

The E-Class Sedan’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the G80 2.5T Standard’s standard 50 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the E-Class Sedan 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 E-Class Sedan has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The E-Class Sedan’s 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 E-Class Sedan’s 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 E-Class Sedan 4MATIC handles at .93 G’s, while the G80 AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The E-Class Sedan 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the G80 AWD (25.1 seconds @ .77 average G’s vs. 26.2 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the E-Class Sedan has an electronically controlled liquid-filled main engine mount. A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The G80 uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the E-Class Sedan easier. The E-Class Sedan’s trunk lift-over height is 27.7 inches, while the G80’s liftover is 28.8 inches.

The E-Class Sedan’s 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 E-Class Sedan 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 E-Class Sedan 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.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The E-Class Sedan’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the G80’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the E-Class Sedan offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The G80 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the E-Class Sedan has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The G80 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The Mercedes E-Class comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Genesis G80 isn’t available as a coupe, convertible or station wagon.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2021 issue and they ranked the Mercedes E 450 4MATIC Sedan first. They ranked the Genesis G80 AWD third.

Motor Trend selected the E-Class as their 2021 Car of the Year. The G80 has never been chosen.

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