The sun had just begun to dip below the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue across the small strip mall where the store stood. The sign above the door swayed gently in the evening breeze, a reminder of the businesses that called this place home. But just outside the store, in the shadow of the flickering streetlights, a dog lay on the cold concrete, chained to a rusted pole. His coat, once thick and glossy, had thinned, and his once-strong body now seemed frail. His name was Max, a Husky who had spent years guarding the small store, a loyal companion to his owner. But now, things had changed.
Max had been suffering for months. The pain in his body was constant, gnawing at him, a reminder of the cruel disease that had taken hold of him. He had been diagnosed with cancer, and it was spreading fast. His owner, who had always been kind to him in the past, seemed to have forgotten his needs as time went on. Max no longer had the energy to run or even play like he used to. His once-proud spirit had been replaced with quiet suffering.
Max had been chained to this post for as long as he could remember, guarding the entrance to the store with a sense of duty that had never faltered. He had always been proud of his work, proud to protect the store from any intruders, even though he was never given the comfort of a warm bed or a place to sleep inside. His days had always been spent in the cold, on the hard concrete, always alert, always waiting. But now, his body ached in ways it never had before. The cancer was eating away at him, and the chain that bound him only seemed to amplify his suffering.
He lay there now, his once-bright eyes dull with pain, his breath shallow and labored. His belly, once strong and full of energy, was now bloated and tender. He tried to shift his weight, but the pain was too much, and he collapsed back onto the ground with a soft whimper. The cold concrete beneath him did nothing to ease his discomfort. It only made the pain worse, but he had learned to endure it. After all, he had never been one to complain. He had always done his job without question, but now, he couldn’t help but wish for release, for someone to notice his suffering, to put an end to the pain that seemed endless.
Max’s eyes flickered toward the door of the store. His owner was still inside, but he hadn’t come out in a while. The lights were dim, and there was a heaviness in the air that Max couldn’t shake. He had been waiting all day, as he did every day, for his owner to come outside, to show him some kindness, to at least acknowledge the agony that was slowly consuming him. But tonight, he didn’t know if he could hold on much longer.
His owner had always been a kind man. He had taken Max in as a pup, and for many years, they had been inseparable. Max remembered the early days when they would play together, when he would be allowed inside the store, curling up on the warm floor as his owner worked. Those days seemed like a distant memory now, replaced by the long hours of guarding the store alone. Max had never minded the work—he was a loyal dog, after all—but now, the loneliness and pain were too much to bear.
With a soft sigh, Max tried once more to shift his position, the chain rattling against the pole. His body trembled with the effort, but the pain was unbearable. He lay still for a moment, staring at the door, hoping, praying that his owner would come out and see him, that he would finally understand what Max was going through. But no one came.
As the hours dragged on, Max’s breathing became more labored. He could feel the cancer in his body, spreading like wildfire, consuming him from the inside out. His mind was foggy, and the cold made everything worse. He had never felt so weak, so vulnerable. He could barely lift his head now, his once-proud posture slumped in defeat.
His tail, once wagged with enthusiasm, now lay motionless on the ground. The simple act of wagging it seemed impossible now, as if his body had given up on even the most basic of movements. All he could do was lie there, chained to the pole, waiting. Waiting for his owner to notice him, waiting for the pain to end.
The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale light over the empty parking lot. Max’s eyes fluttered closed for a moment, the exhaustion overwhelming him. His body felt heavy, and his mind drifted in and out of sleep. But even in his weakened state, his thoughts were clear. He had always been loyal. He had always done his best, no matter the cost. But now, all he wanted was peace. He didn’t want to suffer anymore. He didn’t want to be chained to the post, guarding a store that no longer needed his protection. He just wanted to be free of the pain.
A distant sound broke through the quiet of the night. Footsteps. Max’s ears perked up, and he tried to lift his head, his eyes blinking in an attempt to focus. Was it his owner? Had he finally come to check on him? He tried to call out, but his voice was too weak, a mere rasp that barely reached his own ears. His body trembled as he strained to see the figure approaching.
It was his owner, but he wasn’t looking at Max. He was walking toward the door of the store, his hands buried in his pockets. Max’s heart sank. He was so close, yet so far away. Max let out a soft whimper, his tail twitching in a futile attempt to get his attention. But it was no use. His owner didn’t even look at him. He was too busy, too absorbed in his own world to see the suffering that Max had endured for so long.
Max’s eyes grew heavy once more. His mind felt distant, and for the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to drift. He thought about the old days, the times when he was young and healthy. He thought about his owner’s voice, warm and comforting, calling his name. He remembered how it felt to be loved, to be cared for. But now, all he had was the cold, the chain, and the pain.
As he closed his eyes, Max let out a final sigh, hoping that in his dreams, he would find the peace that had long eluded him in his waking life.
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.
Advertisement
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 |
