Introduction

The Genesis G90 is a full-size luxury sedan, offering potent powertrains, a smooth ride, and stately style. 

The G90 was updated last year, and for 2021 adds an adaptive suspension with electronic dampers as standard equipment, along with auto-dimming automatic high beams. 

The base engine is a 365-horsepower 3.3 liter twin-turbo V-6, that feels just as fast as the available 5.0 V-8 that makes 420 horsepower. The G90 is rear-wheel drive, with available all-wheel drive. 

The V-6 gets an EPA-rated 17 mpg city, 24 highway, 20 combined with all-wheel drive; with rear-wheel drive it gets a bit less, with 17/24/19 mpg. 

The 5.0-liter V-8 gets 16/24/19 mpg with rear-wheel drive, or 16/23/18 mpg with all-wheel drive. 

The NHTSA hasn't crash tested the G90 yet, but the IIHS bestowed a Top Safety Pick+ award on the 2020 G90 for its 'Good'? standard headlights and 'Good'? crash test ratings across the board. 

Standard safety equipment includes forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, active lane control; blind-spot monitors; a blind-spot camera that projects the image of vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians in the blindspots on the instrument cluster; adaptive cruise control; and a surround-view camera system. 

Lineup

The Genesis G90 comes as 3.3T Prestige with the twin-turbo V-6, or 5.0 Ultimate with the V-8. 

The 3.3T Prestige starts at $74,000 including destination, and includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, wireless smartphone charging, a 22-way power driver's seat, heated and cooled front seats, nappa leather upholstery, and a suede headliner. 

The 5.0 Ultimate starts at $77,725, and adds a rear-seat entertainment system with dual 10.3-inch monitors, power rear seats with memory that recline, and rear illuminated vanity mirrors. 

All-wheel drive adds $2,500 to either model. 

Walkaround

The styling is understated, except for the massive mesh grille that's shaped like a shield; it looks like it has dropped its own jaw. Optional overstatement includes 19-inch wheels with a design like braids. 

A band of daytime running lights splits the thin LED headlights and wraps around the fenders to create a body line that extends to the rear. Back there, a boldly stamped 'Genesis'? on the trunk tells tailgaters what they're looking at. 

Interior

The cabin features rich nappa leather, open-pore walnut wood trim, and metallic switches on the wide instrument panel. There's a large 12.3-inch touchscreen and analog clock. The interior doesn't come across as opulent, more like a hushed cockpit that feels like a study in a classy expensive house. 

Heated and cooled front seats adjust up to 22 ways for the driver, 16 ways for the passenger. 

The rear seat offers 37 inches of leg room, which is less than some rivals, but it's still more than most full-size crossovers. The rear bench reclines, but it's not so wide for a full-size sedan-it gets tight with three people-and it doesn't fold down for cargo. 

The trunk is spacious, with a capacity of 15.7 cubic feet. 

Driving Impression

The 3.3T Prestige uses a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V-6 that makes 365 hp and 376 pound-feet of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. That's strong power for every reasonable driving situation. The 5.0 V-8 makes 420 hp and 383 lb-ft, and certainly sounds more powerful, but only feels a bit faster. 

The mechanical setup of the suspension is five-link, front and rear. The adaptive suspension uses electronic dampers that adjust to road conditions, optimizing the comfort. The wheels are 19 inches, which feels like just the right size for the can and suspension. The ride is smooth and enveloping. 

There are driving modes, and Sport mode stiffens the steering (it also tightens the seat bolsters to prepare for harder cornering), but Comfort mode is the more natural state for the G90. 

Summary

Genesis is not the first name that comes to mind when you think full-size luxury sedan, but the G90 definitely should be considered. It might just come out on top, when you look at what you get for the money. These things can't be faulted: twin-turbo V-6, 8-speed automatic transmission, a nappa-leather cabin, standard active safety equipment, and a very smooth ride. That's saying a lot, even before its sterling 5-year/60,000-mile warranty is factored in. 

 

-by Sam Moses with driving impressions by The Car Connection.