In the freezing darkness of winter, under the weight of a dull, gray sky, there was a small, neglected chicken coop at the far end of the property. It was old, the wood weathered and cracking, and the fence surrounding it sagged from years of disrepair. But there, in the bitter cold, lay the lonely figure of a dog named Bella, her thin coat barely offering any protection from the icy wind that cut through the air.
Her body was chained to a rusty post, a permanent fixture beside the coop. Bella had been placed there when she was just a pup, her youthful energy drained over the years by the harsh treatment she received from the very people who were supposed to care for her. She had never known anything else. She had never known freedom, never known what it felt like to run freely across a field or sleep inside a warm house. All she knew was the cold, the chain, and the endless hours of guarding the chickens that were more valuable to her owners than her own well-being.
The chicken coop was a sanctuary for the birds, a place of safety and warmth from the outside world. But for Bella, it was a prison. The coop, with its familiar scent of feathers and straw, had become her world—a small, confined space that she could barely move in. She was tied there, always alert, always on guard, but it was a duty that came at a steep cost. She was alone, except for the occasional cluck of the chickens or the muffled sounds of distant voices in the house. No one came to check on her. No one ever played with her. And in winter, when the snow fell thick and heavy, no one bothered to feed her. She was left to survive on what little food she could scrounge for herself or, in dire times, the snow that had begun to fall.
Bella had learned early on how to eat snow, her body too starved to ignore the cold flakes that touched her tongue. At first, it had been a curious way to pass the time, the novelty of the snowflakes melting on her lips. But as the days grew colder and the snow piled higher, the snow became her only sustenance. She would lick at the cold, frozen ground, trying to catch the tiny pieces of snow that had been blown by the wind, hoping for just enough to fill the gnawing emptiness in her stomach.
Her ribs were visible now, protruding under her thin, weathered coat. She was gaunt, her once-bright eyes dulled from hunger and exhaustion. Yet, despite her suffering, there was still a spark in those eyes. She had learned to survive, to endure the cold, to wait. But what she waited for, she could not say. Perhaps, deep down, she still held onto the faint hope that someone would come for her—that someone would finally see her, see the years of pain she had endured, and take her away from the chains that had held her for so long.
But no one came.
Each day, Bella would watch as the sun sank lower, casting long shadows over the yard. She would watch as the house grew quiet, the lights dimming, knowing that she would spend another night chained to the post, her belly empty and her body cold. But as the hours passed, she never stopped guarding. Her instincts kept her alert, always watching, always waiting. Perhaps, someday, her owners would come back out to feed her, to show her some small kindness, but the days stretched on without any change.
The snow had become her only friend. It was cold, unyielding, but it offered the faintest sense of relief, the smallest taste of something to dull the hunger that clawed at her from within. The ground beneath her paws was hard with frost, the air bitterly cold as it scraped against her fur. But Bella had learned to endure. She had learned to wait.
One particularly brutal night, the wind howled through the trees, whipping the snow around her like a blinding curtain. Bella’s body trembled, but it wasn’t just from the cold. It was the exhaustion, the unrelenting hunger, and the realization that no one would come for her. She had been there for what felt like forever, and in the silence of the night, she couldn’t help but wonder if anyone even remembered she existed.
She had once been full of joy. She remembered the days before the chain, when she was a puppy, running through the grass with the wind in her fur. She remembered the soft voice of the man who had promised to take care of her. He had smiled at her, petted her, and told her she was a good dog. Those days seemed like a distant dream now, like something she had imagined when she was still young and full of hope. But as the years passed, her reality became clear—this was her life now. The chain, the coop, the endless winter.
As the night grew colder, Bella huddled closer to the chickens, hoping their body heat would offer some comfort. The chickens, unbothered by the cold, pecked at the ground, oblivious to the suffering around them. Bella’s eyes flickered toward them, the only living creatures in her world, and in a strange way, she envied them. They had warmth, safety, and food. She had only the cold, the chain, and the endless ache in her belly.
But even as the night stretched on and her body grew weaker, Bella did not stop hoping. She had always hoped, even in the darkest moments. Perhaps tomorrow, perhaps the next day, someone would come. Someone would remember her, and she would finally be freed from the chains that had bound her for so long. She held on to that hope, the smallest flicker of something bright in her heart, even as the snow continued to fall around her.
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.
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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 |
