Two massive, luxury sedans to bring you back in time
Both of these massive sedans remind us of what was once rolling royalty: long, low-slung four-doors that oozed luxury and a hint of performance. They were built to move you across vast distances in dazzling elegance, with no need for the whale-like mass or sky-high stance of today’s SUVs. This is executive-class motion, engineered with the promise of gravity-defying ride comfort and near-silent refinement. And yet, only a handful remain.
James Lipman
Zac Palmer
Strangely, not a single North American manufacturer fields a true competitor anymore. The U.S. practically invented this class with Cadillac, Lincoln, and Chrysler. Today, the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Lexus LS, Audi A8, and Genesis G90 stand alone. Bentley and Rolls-Royce nip at the edge of this space, but that’s for an entirely different tax bracket. So I went from the top to the bottom of this modern flagship segment in terms of price, and the results were surprising.
Genesis G90 3.5T Prestige AWD Black: “Luxury Noir” (Base MSRP: $105,750)
Genesis
For buyers who appreciate comfort, quiet refinement, and a more traditional take on luxury, without immediately vaulting into ultra-premium territory, the Genesis G90 3.5T delivers a shockingly complete flagship experience. Even its styling evokes something nostalgic, like an executive sedan sent forward in time from the 1960s, reimagined with modern proportions and textures.
Why it works
The twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 produces 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque, delivering confident acceleration and a buttery, composed character on the highway. It sounds a bit industrial, lacking European refinement. Nappa leather, massaging/heated/ventilated seats in higher trims, three-zone climate control, a power sunroof, and an exceptionally quiet cabin deliver true flagship serenity. The G90 gives you much of the S-Class experience for far less money, enough to make some loyal European luxury buyers do a double-take. With AWD and a traditional gas drivetrain, the G90 is simple, predictable, and easy to live with, as there are no charging routines or hybrid complexity involved.
Where it compromises
Even so, the G90 is not loaded with cutting-edge tech or electrification, and its brand prestige still trails Mercedes on the global stage. Add in average fuel economy compared with today’s hybrids and limited front-seat headroom for tall-torso drivers, and it becomes more of a car for buyers seeking near-flagship luxury with V6 refinement, serene comfort, and a price that remains, relatively speaking, grounded.
Mercedes-Benz S 580e 4MATIC: “The luxury flagship, modernized” (Base MSRP: $130,400)
Zac Palmer
If you want every conceivable luxury, the latest tech, electrified performance, and the global presence that comes with an S-Class badge, the S 580e is arguably the single most compelling sedan on sale today. But you’ll need to pay for it.
What sets it apart
A turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six paired with an electric motor produces 510 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Despite a bit of turbo lag, the electric motor fills the gap, hurling the big sedan to 60 mph in the mid-4-second range. With roughly 46–48 miles of EV range and about 63 MPGe combined, the S 580e is a genuine plug-in luxury flagship, almost a baby EV without the range-anxiety commitment. Adaptive suspension, exquisite materials, near-vault-level noise isolation, and an infotainment/driver-assist suite set the benchmark for the segment. The S-Class badge carries weight. It’s still the luxury sedan benchmark for most of the world.
Zac Palmer
Zac Palmer
Where it compromises
Given the badge, the S 580e has a huge price gap versus the G90. It has a smaller trunk due to battery packaging, greater mechanical complexity given its hybrid powertrain, and its tremendous size and weight blunt its agility. It’s best for buyers who want the flagship sedan: top-tier engineering, electrified flexibility, unmatched technology, and the prestige that only an S-Class brings.
Zac Palmer
Genesis
Final thoughts: Which one should you get?
Choose the Genesis G90 3.5T if you want traditional luxury with a serene demeanor, strong V6 performance, a comfortable long-distance cruiser, and exceptional value without complexity. It’s smooth, quiet, confident, and beautifully appointed, luxury without needing to justify a deep six-figure splurge.
Choose the Mercedes-Benz S 580e if you want the pinnacle of modern luxury, a sophisticated plug-in hybrid drivetrain, benchmark tech, ride comfort, and refinement, and a globally recognized prestige symbol. It’s a technological masterpiece, gliding on a cushion of electrons and engineering brilliance. Both sedans represent the last great era of ultra-luxury four-doors, but they approach the mission from opposite philosophies: the Genesis wins on value, simplicity, and old-school serenity, whereas the Mercedes wins on innovation, prestige, and electrified performance. Either way, both prove that big sedans still matter.
About the author
Nathan Adlen
Contributing Writer, Autoblog