Select a year
- Highs Superb bang for the buck, silent cabin, silky engine options.
- Lows Boatlike handling, no folding rear seat, lacks badge envy.
- Verdict Luxury-sedan goodness without the extravagant price tag—or the brand image.
Overview
Every now and then a car comes along that's so good at doing its job that it defies all logic—and the 2020 Genesis G90 is one such car. The G90 knows what it is—a plush, cossetting luxo-barge—and it sticks true to that mission. The ride is flawlessly smooth, it is competent but not thrilling in the twisties, and its two engines—a twin-turbo V-6 or a non-turbo V-8—both go about their business with nary a grumble nor a twitch penetrating the cabin. The fact that it starts $20,000 less than key rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz S-class and BMW 7-series is just icing on an already pretty sweet cake.
What's New for 2020?
Genesis has made major changes to its flagship luxury sedan for 2020, starting with an almost entirely new look on the exterior. The company claims to have changed every panel except the roof and doors. We saw the G90's new look when Genesis unveiled the Korean-market model back in November 2018 and thought it looked quite fetching. Whereas the 2019 model looked a bit bland and drab, the 2020 is eye-catching. Changes to the interior are less obvious, but Genesis has added a new infotainment display with—finally—Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. A handful of new driver-assistance features are also added to the features list, including a feature that helps center the G90 in its lane while cruising the highway.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Normally we love a big V-8 in a luxury car, but in this case we'd stick with the twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V-6 and saving the money. The 3.3T, as it's known, is gutsy and nearly as quick as the 5.0-liter V-8, plus the extra weight savings under the hood helps the G90 feel a touch more agile when cornering. All-wheel drive is optional should you need it, but it adds $2500 to the bottom line.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The base turbocharged 3.3-liter V-6 setup with 365 horsepower is an overachiever, matching the acceleration of the 420-hp 5.0-liter V-8 from zero to 60 mph in our testing. Both powertrains pair with a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission and offer either rear- or all-wheel drive. We don't see any reason to pay extra for the less efficient V-8, unless you prefer its more relaxed, old-school character and distinctive sound. Although the G90 doesn't accelerate as rapidly as its competitors, neither the V-6 nor the V-8 engine will leave you wanting more power. Quietness and cushiness reign supreme, and the Genesis can feel a bit sloppy as you push the pace through a road's curvy bits. Its soft and pillowy ride evokes thoughts of Buicks from the 1970s, but not necessarily in a bad way. It smooths out rough roads and imparts a serene, planted feel on the highway. The trade-off is a fair amount of body roll in corners, but precise and light steering keeps the heavy G90 from feeling like a total boat. Its brake pedal is not as firm as we'd prefer, but it's not overly mushy, either.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Some of today's modern luxury barges achieve impressive efficiency, but the G90's fuel-economy numbers are average. The optional V-8 is especially thirsty, but in our testing the V-6 overachieved its EPA numbers. We saw 27 mpg on our 200-mile test route; that's 10 percent better than its EPA highway number, but it falls well short of the real-world highway fuel efficiency demonstrated by the Cadillac CT6 and the BMW 7-series.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Trimmed in nappa leather, suede, wood, and brushed metal, the G90's interior has a rich feel, even if its design is understated. Genesis embarrasses higher-priced competitors by making features such as heated and cooled front seats, a head-up display, and a power-operated rear sunshade standard equipment rather than costly options. As befits a full-size luxury sedan, the G90's plush rear seat is a lovely place. There's plenty of room to stretch out, despite what its dimensions may suggest. Neither the Genesis nor any of its competitors offer folding rear seats, so the capacious trunk is all the cargo space you're going to get. There is a pass-through behind the rear center armrest for carrying long, narrow items such as skis. Its center console is among the largest in its class, but its door pockets are small. A handy compartment in front of the shifter is nicely sized for holding a smartphone.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The standard 12.3-inch touchscreen is crisp and clear, and its central control knob combines with hard buttons and knobs on the dashboard to make navigating the various menus a cinch. Whereas last year's model offered little in the way of connectivity, the 2020 G90 now comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
While it has never been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the G90 was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Every version comes standard with lots of driver-assistance technology. Competitors from Mercedes-Benz and BMW require you to pay thousands of dollars extra to get these features. Key safety equipment includes:
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Not only does Genesis provide the longest warranty coverage in its class, it also includes complimentary scheduled maintenance and other perks such as a complimentary service where dealership staff will pick up the G90 and take it in for service on your behalf.
- Limited warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles
