Strong Mercedes competitor: The Genesis G80 pleases right away with its absolute luxury class feeling, it also drives very well.
At the register, the Genesis wins
For 69,200 euros there is a Genesis G80 with 370 hp electric drive source. An 82.7 kWh battery pack should then help it to achieve a range of 520 kilometers, which is confirmed by the test bench. Mercedes promises to get a range of up to 618 kilometers from the cells of the EQE. But the Stuttgart electric car is a bit weaker (292 hp) and around 1500 euros more expensive – it is available with rear-wheel drive for a base price of no less than 70,627 euros.
In our test, the G80 covered 410 kilometers and the EQE managed 400 kilometers. According to WLTP, it should be significantly more.
Both break their range promise
However, like almost all electric cars, both models promise too much. In practice, the Genesis only manages a distance of 410 kilometers, the EQE has a maximum distance of 400 kilometers. However, the Genesis then gets a head start when it comes to reloading. It can be charged with up to 240 kW of power (direct current), while the EQE can only handle a charging capacity of 170 kW. In practice, this means that the G80 manages its “core charge” in 22 minutes, while the EQE completes this refueling of the batteries from 10 to 80 percent of their capacity in 32 minutes.
Engine design in front
performance in front
Rear engine design
rear performance
total torque
overall peak performance
V max
transmission
drive
Brakes front/rear
test car tires
tire type
wheel size
Range*
Consumption*
battery type
battery capacity net
Charging power AC/DC
charging port
pass-by noise
Trailer load braked/unbraked
drawbar load
trunk volume
Length Width Height
wheelbase
base price****
test car price (will be scored)
Now for the practical part. Incidentally, both sedans mastered it excellently. Wonderfully quiet, velvety and confident performances here and there. The Mercedes, for example, looks extraordinarily polished in all driving areas. Its repertoire includes fine manoeuvring, juicy power development when the accelerator pedal is pressed down and excellent, intelligently regulated recuperation.
Top marks for the Benz: The EQE drives almost silently and spoils its passengers with an almost flawless suspension.
The EQE pleases with a lot of driving comfort
In addition, the suspension works almost flawlessly. Only on pronounced bumps does the rear lift up irritatingly (after deep deflection), otherwise the EQE deserves the top mark. This is matched by the almost silent driving noise and the finely arranged interior. Here the driver benefits from a reliable and clever voice control of the MBUX system, no other car brand can do it better at the moment.
acceleration
0-50km/h
0-100km/h
0-130km/h
0-160km/h
0-200km/h
intermediate sprint
60-100km/h
80-120km/h
curb weight/load
Front/rear weight distribution
Turning circle left/right
seat height
braking distance
from 100 km/h cold
from 100 km/h warm
interior noise
at 50 km/h
at 100 km/h
at 130 km/h
consumption
saving consumption
test consumption
Average of the 155 km test lap (deviation from the WLTP specification)
sports consumption
CO2 (local)
Range (test consumption)
In the Genesis it feels and according to our measurement data things are moving forward a little faster. The G80 helps the lower curb weight and the significant increase in performance. On the other hand, the Genesis does not brake as defined and effectively as the Mercedes. The low noise level and the straight-line stability are good for this – the car zips along the motorway at high speed in a wonderfully relaxed manner without the driver having to constantly intervene to correct it.
All in all, the following applies to both electric sedans: a sophisticated driving experience meets superior driving performance with a high level of safety. Class! You can find more details about the test in the picture gallery.
