Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs Genesis G80

Long the yardstick against which its rivals are measured, the 2024 Mercedes E-Class gets a redesign. In addition to understated styling that can stand the test of time, the elegant interior adds an infusion of technology that sets new standards in the segment. Mild-hybrid engines, standard all-wheel drive, the return of the All-Terrain wagon, and an upcoming plug-in hybrid massaged for performance by AMG are all on the new E-Class menu.

Verdict: Based on observations from several days spent with the E 350 4Matic sedan, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class remains at the top of its midsize luxury sedan game when equipped with all the extras. Refined, sophisticated, and soothing to drive, it embodies what a car like this should be.

The 2023 Genesis G80 midsize sedan offers all of the same luxury and premium appointments as its legacy rivals, but it does so at often thousands less. However, with so many established luxury brands vying for new car buyers, a low price alone may not be enough. How does a relative newcomer make a splash in a market where the name brand and prestige matter so much? By offering an electrified variant of its cornerstone luxury sedan.

It may seem like electric cars have only just arrived, but the Tesla Model S was introduced a decade ago. EVs still make up a very small fraction of the market, but their numbers are growing. And the critical inflection point is coming when EVs pivot from early adopters to mass appeal.

And when that broader acceptance happens, it will be thanks to vehicles like the 2023 Genesis Electrified G80. It has an all-electric powertrain, but it presents like your typical luxury car. This format of an EV as a conventional luxury sedan is the perfect way to showcase what an electric vehicle really can be to the broader buying public.