Mark Megahan
Car enthusiasts are confused. There’s a new model out with “luxury interior components that battle with the best of them,” and 409 horsepower under the hood to go with it. As one of the pundits over at motorbiscuit declares, “I had a hard time pulling Genesis and Hyundai apart in my head. From an enthusiast’s standpoint, the Genesis coupe was a fun and spirited driver’s car. So, accepting that Genesis is doing its own thing and producing luxury cars was a bit of an odd situation.” He quickly got over it.
Genesis G90 luxury car
Once he actually got behind the wheel of one, “the almighty Genesis G90 made quick work of changing my understanding of the brand.” Hyundai really can build a luxury car.
Inside, he observes, “you’ll find a plethora of Nappa leather, microfiber suede, and beautiful woodgrain and brushed metal components.”
Closing the door manually is so plebeian. “A quick push of the button to close the door so you don’t have to strain yourself reaching for it reminds you that this is a high-class affair.” Don’t think of it as a car, it’s more of a statement.
Rightfully so, as the price tag of this particular G90 came in at an eye-watering $100,300. It turns out that little touches including “multi-zone massages at your fingertips with the choice of either heating or ventilation” in all four seats are more expensive these days. Those riding in the back will appreciate the electric footrest which swings out at the press of a button.
For options, you may wish to consider “the Bang & Olufsen speaker system to replicate the Boston Symphony Hall to truly enjoy your music in a unique manner? Phenomenal; the Genesis G90 can do that.” People who prefer a luxury car also tend to be on the germophobic side.
“Perhaps you’re a little concerned about the bacteria on your phone? No worries. Throw it in the rear center console and let the UV light cleaning system take care of it.”
Out on the road
Once you get settled in and comfortably adjusted, it’s time to fire up the “3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 and accompanying 48-volt electric supercharger system.” For this car, merging on the freeway a breeze.
You’ll “find it gets out of its own way with little hesitation. That’s not so surprising, considering it has 409 horsepower on tap. However, with a curb weight north of 5,000 pounds, its zero to 60 sprint in 5.1 seconds is quite impressive.”
Another nifty feature is four-wheel steering. After you learn how to parallel park one, you’ll never go back to the old way. The G90 measures in at 17.5 feet long and can turn a complete circle in just 18.8 feet. That’s what sold the magazine’s test driver.
The feature “makes its turning circle more reminiscent of its long-lost Coupe cousin that bore the same name just a decade ago.” Another thing getting the car good reviews is the way its “air suspension and sound deadening make it an absolute pleasure to drive.” When you need to actually do any driving that is.
While not a fully autonomous car, “the most luxurious part about it is how little you actually have to drive it.” The designers stuck with tried and true “adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and automatic braking.” That means “all you have to do is keep your eyes on the road and enjoy your massage.” Once he got done taking a G90 for a good long spin, he didn’t want to bring it back.
“Ultimately, if you look at the 2023 Genesis G90 and still only see a big giant Hyundai, that’s on you. Genesis has gone out of its way to prove a point. That point is that they’re a serious player in the luxury market. Bravo. The Genesis G90 is truly a world-class luxury sedan that can throw punches at the best BMW or Mercedes.“
