Fully Loaded MB E350 AWD Luxury vs Genesis 3.8 RWD Tech

[Edspider]

I have a 2014 E350 and just bought a Genesis 3.8. I am more than impressed with the Genesis. I'll try to start a list of differences, some tiny and some subjective, but I figure visitors to this forum want it all

I love how when I walk up to the car at night, it greats me. E doesn't do that.

Genesis seems quieter.

Genesis radio is much easier to operate and very well integrated.

BlueLink for $179 a year is much better value than MBrace which if $500+

Genesis can be remote started, the E can't.

The App on Genesis does more than MB which other than unlocking the doors doesn't do anything.

The ride is plusher on the Genesis. MB is a bit more sporty.

The MB seems more planted, but that's probably because the suspension is stiffer.

E does not offer electric folding side mirrors.

Steering feels the same to me.

The MB will drive itself on the highway. It bitches if going more than 25mph and you leave your hands off the wheel.

MB lane departure warning works a little bit better.

MB blind spot operates at lower speeds and is much better. MB shows clear, not sure or blocked. G shows only not sure or blocked at only at higher speeds.

Auto Parking. I don't have this on my G, but on the E it is excellent. It will parallel park and back into spaces.

Surround View. The E is great. I don't have it on my G.

The E has better visibility from the rear and I don't hit my head on the door when I get into it. The G seems more raked in the front.

The Genesis will move the seat back if you want. I need that so I don't bump my head.

Trunk. The E wins here. I would prefer to wave my foot under the trunk. My key might be in the car. I don't like the G beeping when I walk behind it. The E is power up and down. The G just pops open. The E trunk is smaller, but the seats go down.

HVAC. The E has the best controls around and Auto knows just what to do. The G is fine and I have to problem operating it.

Radio. The E has a poor user interface. I would give the G a B+. Sound wise I think they are both excellent.

Voice. The E has very poor voice recognition. The G is better but so far not as good as UVO. I haven't fully researched the proper use. My salesman says it learns, but I doubt that.

Navigation. The E feels a bit dated. I love the way the G operates. Really outstanding. The screen size is just right. Not too big or small and the instructions in the instrument panel are perfect.

Center LCD. I think I'd give the E an A and the G a B here. The E has a lot more flexibility on what is displayed. The G on the other hand is much easier to change what is displayed.

Seats. Both are very comfortable. The E is firmer. The G are a little softer and larger. I don't have advanced seating on either car.

Engine & Tranny. Both cars are very smooth shifting. And both have plenty of power to merge. The G has 8 speeds, the E, 7.

Key Less Go. The E wins here. You just walk up and pull the handle. You don't have to push a button and any door can be used. On the E the button is used only to lock the car.

The E seems to have a longer service interval. 1 year or 15K miles.

Visibility. The E has a better view through the rear window.

Mirror. I only mention this because the G has a rather cheap looking mirror with that stupid compass in the corner. You can turn off the compass, but you have to do each time.

ECO. The E starts and stops the engine to save engine. Many people hate that and disable it every time they start the car. I'm neutral. I can take it or leave it.

Summary. I think had the Ultimate been out when I bought my E a year ago, I would have gotten it. The plusher and quiet ride, good looks and great user interface inside make it for me.

 

[Tpr5.0]

Seemed like an objective comparison and was interesting to read.

 

[videopho]

Very well reviewed!
Let me guess, apple to apple, the E costs ~ 10kish more than the G.

 

[Aquineas]

Appreciate the candid feedback. It will be interesting to hear your long-term evaluation as to how the Genny holds up over time.

 

[joeyz400]

I feel the same way coming from a 2012 E350 sport with P1 package. I like my Genesis better, the things the the E did better were only marginal and the things I like better about the G are exceptional and I really love the new look, styling inside and out. Where the MB is basically the same body style for 5 years now....

 

[Sam22]

Great comparison!!

 

[joeyz400]

I really needed a change I had a 2009 and a 2012 E350 sport as well as a 2011 ML350.... Guess what color I like.......

 

[PaFromFL]

Great post! Could you expand on the differences between the E350 and Genesis Lane Keep Assist? Is a heads-up display available for the E350?

 

[Edspider]

Lane Assist differences. In the E with the driver assist package, the car tracks the lines and the car in front of you. It is similar to what the G does. The difference comes into play when you turn on the laser cruise. At this point on a highway, the E is more than capable of steering and braking for you at any speed. In fact at speeds under about 25, it will do this without balking. So go ahead text during stop and go. The E will smoothly drive for you. At high speeds, it will drive for about 30 seconds and then trigger an alarm asking you to put your hands back on the wheel. Even when you do, you'll feel the car steering. For example, if you a slow or drifting out of a lane, you'll feel the wheel turn to correct.

 

[Edspider]

HUD is available on the E. I have not seen what it looks like.

Another difference, the G shows the speed limit. The E does this in Europe but they did make it work in the states.

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[Nikgen]

Lane Assist differences. In the E with the driver assist package, the car tracks the lines and the car in front of you. It is similar to what the G does. The difference comes into play when you turn on the laser cruise. At this point on a highway, the E is more than capable of steering and braking for you at any speed. In fact at speeds under about 25, it will do this without balking. So go ahead text during stop and go.

Please DON'T do this - tech can (and will) fail and nothing is perfect - you still need to pay attention and be prepared to intervene!

 

[jimb100]

Lane Assist differences. In the E with the driver assist package, the car tracks the lines and the car in front of you. It is similar to what the G does. The difference comes into play when you turn on the laser cruise. At this point on a highway, the E is more than capable of steering and braking for you at any speed. In fact at speeds under about 25, it will do this without balking. So go ahead text during stop and go. The E will smoothly drive for you. At high speeds, it will drive for about 30 seconds and then trigger an alarm asking you to put your hands back on the wheel. Even when you do, you'll feel the car steering. For example, if you a slow or drifting out of a lane, you'll feel the wheel turn to correct.

I'm confused. In my Genesis, with the smart cruise on, the car steers, will brake to a complete stop, accelerates back to the set speed. After a short time, if your hands aren't on the wheel it will ask you to put them back.

I've driven over 50 miles in highway traffic that flows smoothly with a speed limit of 70, becomes congested and comes to a full stop and then accelerates back to 70 or 80 or whatever you set it at.

 

[joeyz400]

I'm confused. In my Genesis, with the smart cruise on, the car steers, will brake to a complete stop, accelerates back to the set speed. After a short time, if your hands aren't on the wheel it will ask you to put them back.

I've driven over 50 miles in highway traffic that flows smoothly with a speed limit of 70, becomes congested and comes to a full stop and then accelerates back to 70 or 80 or whatever you set it at.

+1

 

[allisondbl]

Very well reviewed!
Let me guess, apple to apple, the E costs ~ 10kish more than the G.

Nope. Not at all. ... When I priced them out the E350 was about $30,000 more, i.e. about twice as much per month on a lease!

 

[Rogerf]

In a couple of years the biggest difference will be in re-sale value.

 

[Midnightsun]

In a couple of years the biggest difference will be in re-sale value.

I am guessing they will be close but the Genesis will most likely edge out the Merc simply because of reliability and repair costs.

 

[Edspider]

+1

Does it let you keep your hands off the wheel and operate under 25mph? If it does, I stand corrected.

 

[Edspider]

Update.

I have driven my 15 Genesis now for 4 months. And just did 4 in my 14 E350. They are both wonderful cars. The Genesis has a notably plusher ride and seems quieter.

I discovered the E will do automatic driving in stop and go traffic. You don't get asked to steer until the speed gets past 25 mph. Love it!

The G is bigger and feels bigger. The seats in the E are firmer and smaller, but I feel they are equally comfortable. If you're big, you might prefer the G seats. I'm 6' and thin.

The $2K light package on the E is better than the G. But then I would expect it to be!

The blind spot detection in the E is considerably better. The G is comes on too soon. And the E has 3 indicators (don't know, clear or blocked). The G like everyone is just (don't know or blocked). I appreciate the E being to tell it the lane is clear. The G is also a bit too quick to bitch about lane departure and the warning is not as pleasant as the E. The E does something to the steering wheel that feels like you are driving over a slight ridge. In the E when I get the feeling, it's right. The G just buzzes.

The G according to my dealer wants a lot more service intervals. The E is once a year or 15,000 miles. Same as BMW. But my dealer wants the G serviced every 3 months. Service is not included with either. The G service is a lot less $ so money-wise it is the same, but frequent service is an inconvenience.

The speech rec is pretty good in both cars for Navigation and Phone. Although the G has a better Nav screen. Neither is a good as KIA, though.

Both cars have iPhone apps with limited and not very useful features.

On the E you can go to Google Maps on your laptop and send driving directions to the car. You can't do that on the G. You have to enter the address in the App which kind of sucks. For $350 a year you can get concierge service on the E. It sucks, too. Yes, you get a live person, but the call set up time is eternity. And they aren't really very helpful. They try hard and call you by name.

For $99 you get google maps by voice in the G. And this is just fantastic. You can just say. "Best Buy" and it quickly brings up all the stores in a list sorted by distance. You pick one and are under guidance. You can even speak an exact address if you want. I miss this a lot in the E.

My E has self parking for both parallel and back in. It works very well, but it has trouble finding a spot. My G doesn't have that option. The E also has surround view which I direly miss on my G. I'm sure it will be standard in the G soon.

So what would I buy today? I'd get a Genesis Ultimate. I would not even look at the E. The extra finesse in the electronics the E has is just not worth an extra $20K. The E will have better resale, but not enough. The E will last longer, but that might be a myth. I am hoping when I am next in the market the new E will have tweaked and improved the driving assistance technology to match the 2014 E.

 

[aceduce1604]

very well done !!!

 

[BrazGenesis]

Great thread.
I am truly impressed on how well the G2 compares.
I always thought the E would be far better and the whole advantage of the G2 would be more car for the $$.
Your comparison ends up saying that the Gen is best at price and functionality.
Good to hear that!