2020 Genesis G90 Test Drive Review: CEO On A Manager's Budget

Creating a new luxury brand from scratch isn't easy. It took Lexus many years to shed its "fancy Toyota" stigma and some other Japanese luxury brands are still dealing with this sort of criticism. Enter Genesis, a Korean luxury automaker spun off from what used to be a model within the Hyundai lineup. The move was anything but smooth, but Genesis now builds a lineup of impressive luxury sedans headed by the flagship G90, which was just given a refresh for the 2020 model year.

Full-size luxury sedans with powerful gas-fed engines are slowly disappearing off the automotive map but there will always be a soft spot in our hearts for these aging behemoths, and some manufacturers are actually joining the fray instead of shying away. The Genesis G90 is one such competitor that has entered the race close to the probable end. Although it doesn't have the history and brand status of better-established rivals such as the indomitable Mercedes-Bens S-Class, it offers luxury at an affordable price and now has a unique look that's bound to draw attention. 2020 cars get an extensive redesign from the inside out, which should add to its appeal, and the 3.3-liter twin-turbo engine, which produces 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque, is an absolute pleasure. Starting at $72,200, the 2020 G90 undercuts the S-Class, Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, and Lexus LS by tens of thousands of dollars, but is that a true reflection of its quality? We tested a 2020 G90 with the smaller V6 motor to find out.

What's the Price of the 2020 Genesis G90?

Possibly the G90's biggest drawcard is the simple fact that it offers a massive amount of value for money, especially in a class that's filled with six-figure cars that don't offer much more than what you get here. The 3.3T Premium, which includes most of the features found on the top of the line 5.0 Ultimate such as full LED headlights with LED accents, lane-keeping assist with lane following assist and adaptive control suspension with electronic damping control will cost you a trifling $72,200 which excludes tax, registration, and a destination fee of $995, while the AWD version goes for $74,700. The range-topping 5.0 Ultimate adds features such as a 14-way power right rear seat and 12-way power left rear seat, and a rear-seat entertainment system with dual 10.3-inch HD monitors, and costs only $1,000 more than the AWD 3.3T for a total price of $75,700; now that's what we call good value. The priciest G90, the 5.0L Ultimate AWD, will cost you $78,200.

2020 G90 Exterior

Dimensions

2020 G90 Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

The first thing you notice as soon as you get behind the wheel of the 2020 Genesis G90 is how quiet it is; there's a sense of serene tranquility that you only get in large luxury barges such as the G90, and this is the overriding theme when it comes to the handling and driving dynamics of this cruise boat. Firstly, the electronically assisted steering is light as we'd expect it to be, but for such a big car, the G90 can be placed with surprising accuracy. Take the G90 through your favorite set of twisty corners, and you'll be met with the handling equivalent of a land yacht; there's a lot of body roll, and though it sports a set of adaptive dampers, it's clear from the outset that the G90 has been set up to deliver a comfortable rather than capable handling and driving experience.

Some of this can be mitigated by placing the car in Sport Mode, which tightens up the steering, firms up the dampers, and even squeezes the side bolsters to hold the driver in place. Paddle shifters are mounted on the wheel but we never felt the need to play with them. The G90's lack of sportiness isn't a weakness but actually a strength. This car reminds us so much of what the Lexus LS used to be, a floaty palace to relax and chew up the miles.

2020 G90 Interior

2020 G90 Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

Verdict: Is the 2020 Genesis G90 A Good car?

Genesis may have some work to do to reach the level of brand recognition of a Mercedes or a BMW, but with strong products like the 2020 G90, we have no doubt that the Korean automaker will get there. Execution at this high a level with a bargain-level price is exactly what helped rocket Lexus into the pantheon of established luxury automakers. The G90 was already a solid performer at its price but its nondescript looks made it an afterthought in the full-size luxury sedan segment. With this 2020 facelift, no one is going to mistake the G90 for a Mercedes or BMW, though we did have a few people come up to us to ask about "the Bentley."

We were impressed with the level of features Genesis was able to cram into one car without making it feel like we needed a degree in mechanical engineering to understand how to use it all correctly. Genesis has mastered the 'jump in and go' mentality of making its controls simple and intuitive. With products like the G90, we are happy to see where Genesis is headed in the coming years.

What Genesis G90 Model Should I Buy?

It's hard to go wrong with any of the G90 trim levels, considering they all come pretty much fully-loaded. We found the 3.3-liter V6 to be plenty powerful out on the road and we'd only suggest the V8 model should you be putting passengers in the back seat regularly. The V8 adds a rear-seat entertainment a rear-seat entertainment system with dual 10.3-inch HD monitors and adjustable rear seats with ventilation, features that are not available on the V6. Since the V8 is only around $3,500 more than the V6 and offers a minimal loss in fuel economy, we'd probably throw caution to the wind and opt for the big motor. And while the V6 sounds pretty throaty, the V8 does produce a more satisfying engine note. We'd stick with rear-wheel-drive unless you live in a cold climate where all-wheel-drive might be required.

2020 Genesis G90 Comparisons

2020 Genesis G90 vs Kia K900

It might not look so, but the Genesis G90 and Kia K900 share the same underpinnings, meaning chassis and powertrain options are shared between these two large luxury sedans. The K900 has been the black sheep in this relationship, with journalists and consumers praising the G90 for its better handling and more luxurious interior. The K900 is only available with the much-loved 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, which produces the same 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. Performance is on par with the G90 3.3T, and on the road, both cars behave more or less the same; you won't be able to feel a major difference when driving at the speed limit, which is where these cars will spend the majority of their lifetimes. The EPA estimates that the K900 will get 18/25/21 mpg city/highway/combined, making it marginally more efficient than the G90. The K900 was redesigned in 2019, and 2020 cars add highway-assist, and the surround-view camera system has been improved. The interior is a comfortable and premium place to sit in, but the G90 feels more opulent. The most attractive aspect of the K900 is its price, which, starting at only $59,900, undercuts its rivals by a pretty penny.

2020 Genesis G90 vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan

When you think of large luxury sedans, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is at the top of the list and has been a trendsetter in terms of automotive technology for decades. The 2020 S-Class range sees the addition of a new plug-in hybrid model, and the rest of the range sees the addition of new standard features such as active parking assist. The S450's twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine is comparable to the 3.3T in the G90; it produces 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque and offers smooth yet strong acceleration. The S450 will return 19/28/22 mpg city/highway/combined. The S-Class is peerless when it comes to ride comfort, and offers impressive acceleration from standstill. We think that the S-Class's interior is unrivaled in this price range and category, and we're also big fans of the multiple configurations and customization choices on offer. With a much cheaper base price, the G90 might start looking more appealing. Get the S-Class if you're in it for the status, and don't mind paying a hefty premium.