The small house stood quiet in the middle of a sleepy neighborhood, its windows reflecting the soft light of an autumn afternoon. The air outside was crisp, but inside, the silence was almost suffocating. Inside the living room, a dog lay on the cold, wooden floor, his body trembling with each shallow breath. His ribs stuck out from under his thin coat, and his belly was swollen and painful. Despite the agony that racked his small frame, there was something else in his eyes—something that seemed to shine with an unwavering belief.
Loyalty.
His name was Max, and he had been waiting for days—no, for what felt like forever—for his owner to return. His stomach hurt, gnawing at him as if it were being twisted by invisible hands. He had not eaten in days, but that didn’t matter to him. What mattered was the door—he could still hear the sound of it opening, the way it would creak on its hinges when his owner came back.
But the door had remained still. The house, once filled with the warmth of laughter and the soft murmur of his owner’s voice, had become empty, lifeless. He could still smell the faint trace of his owner’s scent in the air, a lingering reminder that he had once been there. But now, there was only silence. The days stretched on, and with each passing hour, Max’s body grew weaker, and his hope flickered just a little more.
Max was a dog of simple pleasures. His life had once been full of routine. Waking up to the smell of his owner’s breakfast, being petted in the mornings, and playing fetch in the backyard in the evenings. But now, it was all gone, replaced by an aching emptiness. He had grown accustomed to the way his owner’s footsteps sounded as they walked through the door. He would wag his tail in excitement, waiting for the warmth of a pat on his head, for the words that made him feel safe. “Good boy, Max,” his owner would say, the voice that had always filled him with comfort.
But now, there was only pain and waiting.
Max’s belly ached in ways he couldn’t fully understand. It wasn’t just hunger—though that was part of it—it was the sickness that had started days ago, and now it had grown unbearable. But even as he lay there, his body trembling and weak, there was a spark in his eyes, a quiet belief that his owner would come through that door at any moment. Maybe it was the desperation, or maybe it was the love that had bound him to his human for all these years.
His paws twitched as he lay on his side, his body curled protectively around his swollen belly. His coat, once sleek and shiny, had lost its luster. His fur had begun to mat, and there was a sadness in his eyes that went deeper than physical pain. He was alone. The house felt emptier with every passing minute. Yet, in the quiet of the room, he clung to the hope that maybe, just maybe, his owner would walk in, just like before, with that familiar smile and open arms.
But no one came.
It had been so long since the last time he heard his owner’s voice. He could still remember the last moment they had shared, even though it felt like a distant memory. He had been left alone, just for a little while, his owner telling him softly, “I’ll be right back, Max. Stay here.” Max had watched as the door had clicked shut behind them, the sound echoing in his mind long after they had left. He had waited patiently at first, but the hours turned into days, and still, his owner had not returned.
His belly hurt. It was a gnawing, aching pain that spread from the pit of his stomach, making him feel as if he were slowly fading away. His legs were weak, and his heart, once full of joy and excitement, now seemed to beat slower, tiredly. He had tried to get up several times, but his legs had given out each time, his body too weak to hold him upright. He lay there, in the corner of the room where the sunlight had once streamed through the window, but now, it felt dim, almost as if the world outside had forgotten about him.
Max whimpered softly, his tongue hanging out in short breaths. He shifted his body, pressing his painful belly against the cool wooden floor in an attempt to ease the discomfort. But there was no relief. The pain was constant. Still, he held on. He held on because he believed that his owner would come back, just as they always had. Max’s loyalty never wavered, not even in the face of his suffering.
His mind wandered back to the days when things had been different—when the house had been filled with love and laughter, when he had been able to run and jump without pain. The sound of his owner’s voice, calling him from the kitchen or calling him to the door for a walk, had always been enough to make his heart leap in excitement. He had never been without them for this long. He had never felt such loneliness before. But even now, despite the pain and the emptiness, he still hoped.
Through his blurry vision, Max turned his head toward the door once more, his tail weakly thumping against the floor. He didn’t know how much time had passed since the last time he heard footsteps outside, but he kept hoping that those footsteps would return. Perhaps tomorrow. Perhaps the next day. As long as the door remained shut, he would wait. The pain could not outweigh his loyalty. The suffering in his belly was nothing compared to the joy he would feel when he saw his owner again. He just had to hold on.
With a small sigh, Max closed his eyes, his body curling tighter around himself as the hours passed. His heart, slow and labored, beat quietly in the stillness. It wasn’t just the hunger that plagued him now—it was the ache of loneliness, the pain of waiting for something that may never come.
But as the door remained closed and the night stretched on, Max didn’t let go of hope. He couldn’t. No matter how much pain his body was in, the thought of seeing his owner again was enough to keep him hanging on. He would wait.
The 2024 Genesis G80 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class are 5-passenger midsize luxury sedans bristling with posh amenities. These include heated and ventilated seats, air suspension systems, surround-sound speakers, and expansive infotainment screens.
It also goes without saying that these two sedans know a thing or two about getting down the road smoothly and confidently. Their not-too-big and not-too-small proportions mean they’re easy to maneuver yet deliver adult-friendly accommodations no matter where you’re seated.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most notable attributes of the Genesis G80 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
2024 Genesis G80
The 2024 Genesis G80 rolls into a new model year with some sizable updates. First, all-wheel drive is now standard on all models. Second, a 300-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission performs duty as the base drivetrain. A 252-hp turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder served in this role previously.
As before, the 3.5 T model is fitted with a 375-hp twin-turbo V6. We’re all for extra ponies, though we think the base drivetrain is already an overachiever in being one of the most potent standard engines among midsize luxury sedans. Pricing starts at $55,650, including a factory-to-dealer destination charge.
Genesis G80 Highlights
Warranty coverage: The warranties affixed to the Genesis G80 outshine even Mercedes’ coverage. A 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty complements the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage. Genesis also includes three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance.
Lexicon stereo: Optional in 2.5T models with the turbo 4-cylinder and standard on the 3.5T with the twin-turbo V6, a Lexicon 21-speaker and 1,050-watt audio system delivers incredible sound. Peek under the front seats; you’ll find this serves as home to a pair of subwoofers.
Highway Driving Assist 2: This semi-autonomous highway driving assist system is standard on every Genesis G80. Using driver aids like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, it delivers a degree of autonomy to reduce driver fatigue. It’s not a hands-free unit like some others, though we’ve found it very effective during many miles of road tests.
Value: Numbers don’t lie; the Genesis G80 is substantially less expensive than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Factor in the many standard comfort and safety features, not to mention great warranty, and the G80 is a luxury sedan that’s suddenly a great bargain, too.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the G80 models near you.
2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The 2024 model year marks the introduction of the sixth generation of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan. Sleeker than before and bristling with futuristic touches — like onboard AI and giant touchscreens — this new E-Class pushes the envelope when it comes to tech. OK, maybe we could live without the in-car selfie feature (yes, it’s a thing). But the point is Mercedes has nudged the E-Class even closer to its biggest and most prestigious sedan, the S-Class.
Motivating the E350 4Matic is a 255-hp turbo 4-cylinder paired with a 9-speed automatic. This powertrain delivers a brisk 6.1 second 0-60 mph time. Under the hood of the E450 4Matic is a 375-hp turbo inline-6 that performs the same run in a speedy 4.4 seconds. Both engines benefit from fuel-saving mild-hybrid hardware, and each comes with all-wheel drive.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Highlights
Superscreen: Sci-fi fans will love the available Superscreen in the E-Class. An enormous glass panel covers two large infotainment screens — one in the middle of the dash and one in front of the passenger seat. There is also a separate digital instrument panel in front of the driver. Improved voice commands, augmented-reality navigation, and Zoom video conferencing capability (when parked) are just some of this Mercedes’ incredible arsenal of tech features.
Air suspension: The E350 and E450 offer an air suspension system that can be substituted for the standard steel-spring arrangement. This provides a serene, magic carpet-like ride that easily shrugs off any road imperfections.
Burmester audio: Like the Genesis G80, the E-Class delivers its own premium listening experience. The Pinnacle trim includes a 17-speaker Burmester audio system. Dolby Atmos surround-sound tech, along with speakers tucked into the front headrests and ceiling, conspire to provide amazing sound quality.
Digital Light: Available high-definition adaptive headlights provide intense guiding light without dazzling other drivers. These headlamps can also project alert symbols onto the road to notify the driver of unintended lane changes or oncoming road hazards.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the E-Class models near you.
Similarities
A delight to drive and bursting with amenities, the Genesis G80 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class feel as much like 5-star resorts as they do a means of getting from Point A to Point B. And similar to a dreamy stay at an elegant resort, they both feel worth every penny.
Conclusion
At this level of the automotive world, it’s hard to go wrong. The Genesis G80 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class are refined, spacious, and entertaining to drive. Of the two, the E-Class holds the advantage in terms of tech touches, fuel economy, cargo space, and ride comfort (especially with the optional air suspension).
On the other hand, the G80 looks sharp, the base model is thousands less, and there’s class-leading warranty coverage. Which would we choose? The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is for those who want all the shiny new things, and the Genesis G80 is for those who appreciate luxury but also respect great value.
| 2024 Genesis G80 | 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | |
| Starting Price | $55,650 | $63,450 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cyl. | Turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cyl. |
| Horsepower | 300 hp @ 5,800 rpm | 255 hp @ 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 311 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm | 295 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 9-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 22 city/30 highway/25 combined | 24 city/33 highway/27 combined |
| Also Available | Twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 | Turbo 3.0-liter inline-6 |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | N/R |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 118.5 inches | 116.6 inches |
| Overall Length | 196.7 inches | 194.9 inches |
| Width (without mirrors) | 75.8 inches | N/A |
| Height | 57.7 inches | 57.9 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.1 feet | N/A |
| Headroom, Front | 41.1 inches | 37.3 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.2 inches | 37.6 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.2 inches | 41.7 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 38.7 inches | 36.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 58.3 inches | 57.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 57.1 inches | 57.1 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 13.1 cubic feet | 12.7 cubic feet |
