2024 Genesis G90 Review: Real Competition For The S-Class

Just a year after its redesign, the 2024 Genesis G90 continues to prove that the upstart luxury brand has everything it needs to redefine what it means to be a premium automaker. It isn't just about history, tradition, and brand recognition; it's also about delivering the best product possible without forcing you to pay more for a name. The G90 does this with a 3.5-liter V6 - which can even be had with a 48-volt e-supercharger for up to 409 horsepower - a pristine interior chock full of modern features, and a velvety smooth ride. There may be a few things that the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series do better, but they also fall short of the Korean full-size executive sedan in certain areas. If you're willing to wipe the stars from your eyes and give the newcomer a chance, you'll no doubt be pleasantly surprised.

New for 2024

The changes to the new Genesis G90 are mostly sensory, with animated exterior welcome lighting and re-tuned engine sounds, but there are some conveniences, too. These include power-operated second-row doors and an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot. Lastly, the exterior color palette has been shuffled a little.

2024 Genesis G90 Price: Which One to Buy

With only two trims to choose from, the price of the Genesis G90 ranges from $89,200 to an MSRP of $99,500. This doesn't include the destination charge, which will cost you $1,250. But as much as a key selling point of the G90 is its lower asking price than chief competitors, we'd still opt for the top-tier trim. The 3.5T e-Supercharged not only has more power but also all the goodies available to the model. This includes the multi-chamber air suspension, power-reclining rear seats with massage, and the 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Best Deals on 2024 Genesis G90

Interior and Features

Gorgeously appointed, no matter the trim, the Genesis G90 is proof that immaculate interiors are not solely the domain of premium German cars.

Genesis produces some of the most gorgeous interiors on the market, and the flagship G90 is the most luxurious of the the brand's vehicles. It has the same design philosophy as the rest of the sedans, with plenty of horizontal lines, but it makes use of the most sumptuous materials available. The air vents are perfectly integrated into the dashboard and run the full breadth, with the landscape touchscreen mounted above a smaller display located below between the seat and climate controls. The crystal-encrusted controls in the central console are a little chunkier and look out of place in such a clean environment, but nothing could make such a spacious cabin feel cluttered.

Space

Unlike some of its executive sedan rivals, the G90 allocates more of its interior space to the front seats rather than the second row. This leaves those in the back with less than 40 inches of legroom, which is a little disappointing, but there is still enough room for most adults to stay comfortable. This is especially true with the reclining and massaging rear seats. They are heated as standard, though, while the front seats are heated, ventilated, and highly adjustable. This ensures the driver can easily find a super comfortable position with good sightlines so that a trip of any length will be comfortable. As for getting inside and out, the slightly low roof can be tricky for really tall folks, but it is mostly an easy affair.

Cargo

Cargo space is not usually a strong selling point for sedans, and even less so for premium models, which prioritize passenger space. Nevertheless, the G90 somehow manages to fall behind its European rivals, even if it's just by a little. The trunk holds just 12 cubic feet worth of stuff, and the e-SC is even less practical with just 10.6 cubes.

Luckily, the in-cabin storage is a little more par for the segment, with an enormous armrest cubby, a pair of cupholders in each row, and a large glove compartment. The only complaint we have is with the small and shallow door pockets.

Materials and Colors

When it comes to build quality and materials, the G90 is nearly impeccable. Nappa leather is standard, no matter the trim, and you get a choice of four interior colors. Some are restricted to certain combinations with exterior paint, but these options include Obsidian Black, Bordeaux Brown, Glacier White, and Dune Beige. This is paired with aluminum trim with most colors, except for Obsidian Black, which gets matte-finish wood. Similarly, the 3.5T e-SC pairs its upholstery with forged carbon-fiber trim, with Dune Beige being the exception; this gets the aforementioned wood trim. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather, the dashboard has a leatherette coating, and the headliner is imitation suede.

Features and Infotainment

When you're spending this amount of money, you are well within your rights to expect loads of standard features, and where many other premium brands will still ask you to tick pricey packages, the G90 gives you almost everything for free. In the base 3.5T, you get tri-zone climate control, power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage functions, heated rear seats, a heated power tilt-and-slide steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, a Genesis Digital Key with remote start, and two 12.3-inch displays. The first is for driver information, while the other is a touchscreen for the infotainment.

Infotainment features include Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, HD Radio, in-car Wi-Fi, and a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. Also standard are a wireless charging pad and a head-up display. This doesn't leave much for the 3.5T e-SC to improve upon, but it does still add power heated and ventilated rear seats with massaging, front seat power bolsters, a wireless charger for the second row, and a 23-speaker B&O sound system.

Performance

Though not a sporty sedan, the G90 has plenty of power and handles with the kind of grace we expect from the most premium of cars.

The starter engine for the Genesis G90 is a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that makes 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Alternatively, a 48-volt setup with an e-Supercharger can be added to boost these outputs to 409 hp and 405 lb-ft, which is what makes the 3.5T e-Supercharged so appealing. Both trims come outfitted with an all-wheel drivetrain, while an eight-speed automatic transmission smoothly switches between the gears as you drive. Each engine is potent in its own right, but the e-SC is slowed down slightly by the extra weight of its electrical components, so the Genesis G90 accelerates from 0-60 mph in around five seconds regardless.

As for the driving experience, it is as sublimely effortless as one could hope. Sure, it's quick and handles well, but it's not as rapid as a BMW 760i, but it straddles the middle ground extremely well between athletic and refined. It's extremely well-poised around the corners, especially with standard AWD, and the available air suspension smooths over even the harshest of bumps. That being said, it's not a fun car to drive, but rather an effortless cruiser that will get you where you're going while never hinting it's even on the move.

Fuel Efficiency

Since both models use the same base engine, gas mileage is almost identical, but even with a bit of hybrid assistance, the Genesis G90 3.5T e-SC ekes out less mpg than the base model. The regular 3.5T manages a middling 18/26/21 mpg across the city/highway/combined, which is behind the leaders in the segment. Meanwhile, the more powerful engine walks away with 17/24/20 mpg, which is only slightly worse.

Luckily, the sedan has an impressive fuel capacity of 19.3, so it can travel a respectable 405 miles between refills or 386 miles with the e-SC.

Safety

The IIHS has been singing the G90's praises, giving it a Top Safety Pick+ award in 2023, and a Top Safety Pick award in 2024 due to more exacting testing standards.

There is no NHTSA review of the Genesis G90, but the IIHS has performed several of the most important crash tests. The sedan earned a rating of Good in every test but it scored just Acceptable for the headlights. It earned a Top Safety Pick title in 2024, slightly down from the Top Safety Pick+ of 2023.

Both trims come with the full safety suite, which comprises forward collision avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, lane following, parking distance warning, parking collision avoidance assist, a blind-spot view monitor with collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert with collision avoidance, and a driver attention warning. Besides this, you get the obligatory rearview camera, ABS, EBD, stability and traction control, and ten airbags.

Reliability

Though the current Genesis G90 lacks a reliability rating based on consumer data from JD Power, it is made by the same automaker that gave us the Hyundai Accent - one of the most reliable cars to date. There's also just one recall listed for faulty seatbelt pretensioners for 2023 at the time of writing.

The 2024 Genesis G90's warranty comprises five years/60,000 miles of standard coverage, and ten years/100,000 miles for the powertrain, along with three years/36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance. No recalls have been issued for this year's model, but 2023 saw a single issue with seat belt pretensioners that may explode.

Warranty

Design

Genesis recently gave its entire stable of automobiles a modern refresh in the looks department, and we have absolutely no complaints about the results. The large crest grille taking up the majority of the front fascia really makes a bold statement, with dual-strip LED headlights banding around the edges of the hood. The lower bumper also bears the same mesh as the grille. Everything is surrounded in chrome for that premium look, and it continues to run along the sides and ends just above the crest-shaped dual exhausts. Similarly to the front, the rear has split taillights, with the brake lights running the full width of the car above and below the Genesis logo. The 20-inch alloy wheels fit perfectly within the arches, but there is enough room to upgrade to the 21 inchers.

Verdict: Is The 2024 Genesis G90 A Good car?

Too many people will be unable to look past the Merc S-Class or BMW 7 Series, which have dominated the podium of the premium segment, but if they would just deign to lower their gaze, they'll find something just as good - if not better in some ways. The 2024 G90 could go toe to toe with the German giants in almost every category, matching them in power, ride comfort, and interior luxuries. However, it lags slightly in terms of driving pleasure and has less cargo and rear passenger space. It makes up for this, though, with a lower price tag, an excellent warranty, and a lot of features that rivals would make you shell out some cash for. To top it all off, it boasts a top-notch safety report and excellent reliability. Few cars can do it all, but the Genesis G90 confidently stands beside the best of road royalty without feeling like an imposter.