Compare the2025 Mercedes C-Class SedanVS 2025 Genesis G80

With its available Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function, the Mercedes C-Class Sedan is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Genesis G80, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

The C-Class Sedan has a standard 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.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The C-Class Sedan offers optional Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The G80 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the C-Class Sedan and the G80 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, 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, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mercedes C-Class Sedan is safer than the G80:

There are over 59 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Genesis dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the C-Class Sedan’s warranty.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mercedes C-Class Sedan is faster than the G80 2.5T 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder:

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

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

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes C-Class Sedan higher (7 out of 10) than the Genesis G80 (5). This means the C-Class Sedan produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the G80 every 15,000 miles.

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

The C-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 C-Class Sedan stops much shorter than the G80:

The C-Class Sedan’s standard 225/45R18 front and 245/40R18 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear 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 available on the C-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 C-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 C 300 Sedan 4MATIC handles at .91 G’s, while the G80 pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the C-Class Sedan’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the G80’s (36.3 feet vs. 38.1 feet). The C-Class Sedan 4MATIC’s turning circle is .5 feet tighter than the G80’s (37.6 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Mercedes C-Class Sedan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 500 pounds less than the Genesis G80.

The C-Class Sedan is 9.7 inches shorter than the G80, making the C-Class Sedan easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Mercedes C-Class Sedan amounts to more than styling. The C-Class Sedan has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .24 Cd. That is lower than the G80 (.27) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the C-Class Sedan get better fuel mileage.

The C-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 C-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.

The C-Class Sedan’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Proximity Key standard on the G80 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the C-Class Sedan to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The G80 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Consumer Reports rated the C-Class Sedan’s headlight performance “Excellent,” a higher rating than the G80’s headlights, which were rated “Very Good.”

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 C-Class Sedan’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the G80’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

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

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes C-Class has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the G80 Sport Prestige/3.5T offers wireless charging.

The C-Class Sedan has a 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 C-Class Sedan is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The G80 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Mercedes C-Class outsold the Genesis G80 by almost six to one during 2023.