Pricing

Window stickers are often the center of attention for new car shoppers. Here, the G70 maintains a distinct advantage over its German rivals with a base MSRP of $45,550. That’s almost $4,500 less expensive than the 330i, which starts at $50,000. The C300 is even pricier, with an entry-level price of $51,650.

Depreciation

At the same time, many shoppers overlook depreciation in their long-term ownership costs. Luxury brands have reputations for declines in resale value, especially after the first several years. According to iSeeCars, all three cars depreciate about the same amount over three years: 36% for the Genesis and Mercedes, and 36.3% for the BMW. However, depreciation on the G70 slows to 49% after five years. The 330i and C300 lose 51.4% and 52.5%, respectively, over the same period. Those few percentage-point differences in the G70’s favor can add to stronger trade-in values down the road.

Warranty and Maintenance

There are other ways to calculate value, including how long you’re protected against paying for repairs out of pocket. Again, Genesis stands above the competition with a five-year or 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Similar coverage for the BMW and Mercedes stops after four years or 50,000 miles. Yet Genesis goes even further with a ten-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty—coverage that BMW and Mercedes don’t offer.

On the maintenance side, only Genesis and BMW provide factory-backed, complimentary maintenance programs. Standard scheduled services are provided for three years or 36,000 miles. Some Mercedes-Benz dealers may provide a similar benefit individually. Meanwhile, only Genesis offers Service Valet, a factory-backed program where the dealer will pick up and drop off your car and provide a loaner. There’s no need to visit the dealer to stay up to date with maintenance.

Over the long term, drivers should know that upkeep costs across the three brands are substantially lower for Genesis. RepairPal estimates that the average Genesis owner pays about $524 annually to maintain their vehicle. That number rises to $908 for Mercedes and $968 for BMW.

Powertrain

A turbocharged four-cylinder engine is standard in this class of vehicle. However, the G70's 2.5-liter engine offers substantially larger displacement and output than the 2.0-liter units in the 330i and C300. The Genesis' powerplant produces 300 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. of torque. The BMW and Mercedes have matching output figures of 255 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. To support that performance, the G70 has standard 19-inch wheels, while the 330i and C300 both have 18-inch wheels.

Cabin Space

Well-designed interior space is essential for driver and passenger comfort in any compact sport sedan. With a 42.6-inch measurement, the G70 has more front legroom than the 330i (42.0 inches) and the C300 (41.7 inches). The G70 also has more front headroom (39.8 inches vs. 38.7 inches) than the 330i. The C300 has slightly more front headroom (40.0 inches). The Genesis also has more rear headroom (38.7 inches) than the BMW (37.6 inches) and the Mercedes (37.5 inches).