2020 Genesis G90 Road Test and Review

Al doesn’t do SUVs. He likes big luxury sedans. “I was planning to lease another Jaguar XJ when the lease is up this summer,” he says. “It would have been my sixth one in a row. Before that I had a BMW 7 Series and a Mercedes S-Class. But I think I’m going to buy a new 2020 Genesis G90 instead.” After the initial shock of it all, we’re supportive of our neighbor’s decision. The newly redesigned G90 will look great parked next to his wife’s Porsche 911, and it offers all of the performance, luxury, and features of his beloved Jag at a steep discount.

Genesis is Hyundai’s luxury brand. It’s been around for about five years now, and it’s taking on the old world order of European luxury automakers. In fact, with its rear-wheel-drive platform, powerful engines, handsome design, and luxurious interior, it’s easy to mistake the 2020 Genesis G90 sedan for a BMW, Mercedes, or Audi. Some even say it looks a bit like a Bentley. But the Genesis isn’t from Europe. It was designed, engineered in South Korea, where it's built. It competes with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, Lexus LS, and Kia K900.

Although it's been around for five years, Genesis is still working on setting up its own dealer network. Its products are instead sold and serviced by many Hyundai dealers in urban areas of the country. This isn’t an issue, but be warned: some of the stores aren’t as lavish as you may expect from a “luxury” brand.

Last year, Genesis introduced its smallest and now its most popular sedan, the G70, which competes against the popular BMW 3-Series, Mercedes C-Class, and Audi A4. It also offers the larger G80 and it has just introduced its first SUV, the seven-passenger GV80. With prices starting at $73,195 including a $995 destination fee, the 2020 Genesis G90 is the brand’s most expensive offering. It’s also the largest Genesis, with an overall length of 204.9 inches. Genesis and Hyundai are part of the same automaker as Kia, and the G90 shares much of its rear-wheel-drive platform, available all-wheel-drive system, standard twin-turbo V6 engine, and other hardware with the Kia K900.

For 2020 Genesis has given the G90 a sharp new set of clothes, its first substantial exterior updating since it debuted back in 2017. Its front end has been radically reshaped for the better by SangYup Lee, senior vice president and global head of Genesis design. It shares its new face with the GV80, and it’s going to spread across the whole brand in the coming years. 

The new look is handsome with its new wider and more angular chrome grille. If its open cross mesh reminds you of Bentley’s, it should. That’s Lee’s previous employer. Before joining Genesis, he designed the Bentley Bentayga, the brand’s hot-selling SUV. The G90’s front bumper, Volvo-esque headlights, and long hood are also new. So are its front fenders, which are now dressed with chrome details and lighted strips that function as turn signals. There’s also a new trunk lid with slim horizontal taillamps, and the license plate has been moved down into the reshaped bumper between its two big exhaust tips. Its new wheels look better too, with a similar hex design as the grille and flush center caps.

Two engines are available, and they’re linked to the G90’s two trim levels. The 3.3T Premium is powered by the brand’s refined 365-horsepower 3.3-liter turbocharged V6, which is also used in the G70 and G80. The 5.0 Ultimate gets a naturally aspirated 420-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 and costs $3,500 more. Both engines still work with an eight-speed automatic, which offers paddle shifters for manual gear selection. Rear-wheel-drive is standard on both models and all-wheel-drive is offered across the range for $2,500. Our test car was an all-wheel-drive G90 3.3T Premium with a sticker price of $75,725.

With that much horsepower, we expected great acceleration from the 2020 Genesis G90 — and it didn’t disappoint. The big turbocharged V6 offers plenty of punch off the line and it’s well-matched to the eight-speed automatic, which shifts smoothly. Put your foot down hard on the gas and the G90 responds, building speed quickly. Sprints to 60 mph take just 5.0 seconds. That’s quicker than a V6-powered Audi A8.

The 2020 Genesis G90 isn’t exactly a sports sedan, but it strikes a satisfying balance between luxury and sport. It’s fast and engaging to drive, but it’s also pampering with a luxuriant ride and very quiet interior. The steering is light and communicative, and its brakes make smooth stops easy.

Genesis’ Drive Mode Select system allows you to tune the sedan to your mood and conditions. There are four driving modes, including Eco, Sport, and Comfort. Each tweaks the suspension tuning, throttle response, transmission performance, and steering effort. There’s even a Custom mode so you can choose your favorites for each. In Comfort, the ride has a silken, cloud-like quality, while it tightens perfectly in Sport for added response and control. It isn’t the type of sedan you would buy to carve up a twisty mountain road, but the G90 is well-balanced and changes direction willingly. In Sport mode, its suspension doesn’t lean over too much even when you’re pushing it harder than you should, and mid-corner bumps are soaked up well. Its large 20-inch tires provide plenty of grip.

Further advanced technology is found in the G90’s many important active and passive safety systems. Our test car was equipped with lane-following assistance, blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross-traffic alert, a forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection and emergency automatic braking, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go. Other features include a surround-view monitor, which gives you a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the sedan, and a head-up display that projects your speed and other information on the windshield ahead of the driver.

The Genesis G90 has also received the highest possible safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: Top Safety Pick+.

Genesis is attracting many luxury buyers with its impressive interiors. The G90’s cabin features beautiful materials, dynamic design, and near-perfect build quality. The overall design is a visual delight and the tactile detailing is excellent. The shifter is perfectly placed, everything feels expensive, and it’s quieter inside than before thanks to a new Active Noise Cancellation feature.

This is a traditional luxury car, but there’s nothing stale or stuffy about it. Our test car featured diamond-stitched leather seats, an abundance of wood trim, and a suede headliner. The seats are firm and well-shaped. They hold you in place but don’t squeeze. Our test car also featured a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, and a sunroof. The focal point is the infotainment system’s massive 12.3-inch touchscreen. It’s well-positioned for easy use and it’s quick to respond. It’s all very intuitive to use. No functions are buried in a sea of confusing menus. Onboard Wi-Fi, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay are standard.

The new 2020 Genesis G90 also offers a massive amount of rear-seat space. Many New York City apartments aren’t as big. Three LA Lakers don’t just fit back there — they can practice their free throws. Younger parents still wresting with child safety seats will appreciate the G90’s easy-to-reach LATCH connectors in the outboard seats.

Interior storage is also generous. The center console bin is large, as are the door pockets, and the two front seat cupholders are sizable, deep, and well-located. A bin next to the shifter hides a wireless phone charging pad.

The 2020 Genesis G90 has a power-operated trunk and 15.7 cubic feet of trunk space, which is about average size for its class. The trunk of the Audi A8 is smaller, while the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series offer more cargo room.

Its German competitors are also more fuel-efficient. With the 3.3-liter V6 engine, the G90 is rated at 17 mpg city and 25 mpg on the highway, and those numbers dip a point or two with the more powerful V8. We averaged 18.2 mpg driving the Genesis with vigor around Los Angeles, and its big V6 runs on less expensive regular-grade gasoline to cut operating costs.

Overall, the 2020 Genesis G90 packs more than enough performance, style, and luxury for most buyers. And it’s a steal when you look at its price. A BMW 740i costs about $14,000 more and a Mercedes-Benz S-Class starts at about $95,000. Are they really worth that much more? Sure, the Genesis badge doesn’t have their prestige, but strip them all of their branding and the G90 holds its own in every category.

With its new updates, the G90 now checks all the boxes. It’s not only packed with extremely high levels of features and technology, but it’s also really fast, it’s fun to drive, and it looks rich and regal without a old-man boomer vibe. If you’re in the market for a full-size luxury sedan, we highly recommend it.