Hyundai Genesis 2017 v Mercedes-Benz E400 2014 Comparison

There's an obvious benefit in buying new, but a pre-owned car that's been well looked after could hold real appeal, especially if you consider that someone else has already taken a considerable hit on its initial depreciation.

No, $85,000 is not enough to buy a new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, even in entry-level, four-cylinder guise -- let alone that lusty, six-cylinder E 400 you desire.

But in the used market, it will secure you an excellent low-mileage example, and only real car fans will be able to tell you've got last season's model.

If it's new you want, however, then the 2017 Hyundai Genesis features many and more bells and whistles, even if it doesn't offer quite the same caché value.

And before you can say "there's no warranty on the used car" this second-hand Benz is sold by a dealership and is covered by a certified pre-owned (CPO) program.

That means it carries over the balance of its new-car warranty and gets an additional two-year warranty, largely because Benz's spanner-people have crawled all over it and given it a rigorous inspection and a mechanical and structural thumbs-up.

As aspirational executive sedans go, the E-Class is the benchmark. It is the epitome of luxury and style and wears one of the most recognisable premium logos on the planet.

It's also the vehicle of choice for the latest in technology gadgets, so whether it is driver assistance or driver comfort that floats your boat you'll find plenty of tech toys even in the superseded E-Class.

According to Redbook.com.au, a low-mileage, pre-loved 2014 E-Class will cost between $71,000 and $77,000, representing a healthy saving of more than $50,000 on its initial sale price of $129,430.

Pretender to the Mercedes-Benz throne is Hyundai's premium offering, the Genesis. Featuring a similar V6 rear-drive layout to the E-Class, the Genesis is also packed with great luxury features and technology and promises a premium driving experience without the hefty price tag. A brand-new, top-of-the-range Genesis Ultimate pack will cost you $82,000 plus on-road costs, without haggling.

Each vehicle is powered by a six-cylinder petrol engine -- a turbocharged 3.0-litre in the case of the Mercedes-Benz and a naturally-aspirated 3.8-litre for the Genesis. The E-Class is paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission while the Genesis transmission has six speeds.

The E-Class bests the Genesis on both power and torque figures, 245kW and 480Nm against the Hyundai's 232kW and 397Nm. It also promises superior fuel efficiency with a claimed 7.6L/100km compared to 8.6L/100km in the Genesis, although the German car requires 95 RON premium unleaded.

Each car has much to offer to buyers but regardless of features, the issue of brand and caché is most pertinent at the luxury end of the market.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is ubiquitous with achievement and instantly recognisable in the country club car park. Contrast that with the aspirations of the Genesis which is still climbing the slippery sales slope towards acceptance.
Just 373 Hyundai Genesis vehicles were sold in 2016, against 1271 E-Class models.

The more pragmatic buyer will likely opt for the Genesis on its value proposition alone but it won't have the same appeal to customers who want Euro prestige in their driveway to let their neighbours and acquaintances know they've "made it".

No, the Hyundai Genesis has a way to go before it claims its seat at the boardroom table but perhaps its value proposition will help win us over.

Hyundai offers one of the most comprehensive vehicle warranties in Australia at five years/unlimited kilometres, and this extends to its flagship Genesis. Genesis owners are also entitled to complimentary servicing for the first five years or 75,000km, plus five years roadside assistance.

The Korean-made Genesis requires servicing every 15,000km or 12 months, so the first service you'll pay for -- at the 72-month/90,000km mark -- will set you back $520.

While that doesn't include consumables such as tyres or brakes, it should cover the majority of maintenance parts and fluids required in the first few years of ownership.

Despite the E-Class being a used car, as a Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle it is sold with the balance of its new-vehicle warranty plus an additional two-year warranty.

Service intervals on the E-Class are 25,000km/12-month and should you wish to take advantage of Mercedes-Benz' own capped-price servicing, then at the 36-month mark you'll be shelling out $912.

As with any used vehicle, you'll be receiving it in roadworthy condition but check what life you've got left in the tyres as these will be your biggest expense, at least until the two-year extended-warranty period ends.

A set of good quality performance tyres could set you back more than $2000 so you want to know you're not going to have to spring for these too early into your ownership.

Both deliver impressive levels of powertrain refinement but the Hyundai wins when it comes to ride comfort. The E-Class has a somewhat firmer ride which can show itself on rougher roads where the Genesis soaks up the bumps more readily.

Steering feel is preferable in the E-Class, in which it feels more direct, and if you indulge in spirited driving every now and then the German car will be the pick.

While we're not driving the newest E-Class model, the exterior design of this Mercedes is ageing well, so your neighbours may never know you're not actually driving $140K worth of European metal, which is what the current E 400 costs.

What could they do better?
Some of the plastic finishes and controls in the Genesis are a dead giveaway that this is a prestige car for bargain hunters. As a result the Hyundai lacks a genuine premium feel which is critical in this comparison.

The Genesis' fit and finish is impeccable, however, and the fact we're even comparing a Hyundai with a Mercedes shows how far the Korean car-maker has come. And if history – or Lexus' US market dominance -- is any guide, the brand's cachet value will only improve over time.

By the end of this year Genesis will be split off as a standalone brand from Hyundai and this car will be renamed the Genesis G80 soon. At the same time, the all-new G70 mid-size sedan will arrive to challenge the smaller C-Class with a fancy new twin-turbo V6.

Following that will be a family of SUVs and sports cars. Indeed, the Korean car-maker is investing billions to take on the top end of town, and it will do so with enough value, performance and quality to scare its German rivals.

The interior of the Mercedes-Benz is somewhat dated in comparison to its successors – the small infotainment screen is a give-away – but if you're stepping into an E-Class for the first time, you're not going to be too worried. The woodgrain finishes, leather upholstery, quality materials, fit and finish make it still feel plush.

It's equipped with the latest technology including a 360-degree camera, soft-close doors and heated/cooled seats, which elevate the Genesis over the E-Class, and its smooth ride, super-quiet cabin and huge rear legroom are certain to please.

Yes, it will lose value more quickly than the Benz, which has already done most of its initial depreciation, but if you're number one prerequisite is up-font value then the Genesis is the pick.

But the E-Class is the undoubted winner in not only the residual value test, but the highly subjective Euro-on-the-driveway test. It is the benchmark for executive sedans for a reason and your neighbours will know exactly what you're driving without needing to Google the logo of your new ride.

If you're planning to spend this much on a used car, it makes sense to consider a CPO vehicle. You'd want to be very sure of your purchase if opting for an expensive European vehicle coming up to the end of its warranty period, and we'd always urge caution. But with the peace of mind of an extended warranty you know you won't be out of pocket for significant repairs for at least another two years.

The Genesis has lifted Hyundai to new levels of luxury, refinement and dynamism, and remains a solid, pragmatic choice. But buy the three-year-old E 400 and you'll be thrilled with the driving performance of a car that's the most successful in its class for good reason.

2017 Hyundai Genesis Ultimate pricing and specifications:
Price: $82,000 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.8-litre V6 petrol
Output: 232kW/397Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 261g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class pricing and specifications:
Price Now: $71,700-$82,000 (plus on-road costs)
Price when new: $129,430 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol
Output: 245kW/480Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 177g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP