2020 Genesis G90: 7 Pros and 3 Cons
The Genesis G90 competes against the best luxury sedans in the business, including heavy hitters like the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. These are vehicles at the cutting edge of power, safety and virtually every convenience feature imaginable. In this comfortable corner of the car world, things like massage seats and heated steering wheels are a given, not some fancy add-on feature.
Related: 2020 Genesis G90 Review: New Face, Same Space
Certain models, such as the Mercedes-AMG S63, have luxury sedan trimmings combined with the heart of a sports car making more than 600 horsepower. The G90 isn’t trying to be a racetrack hero, however; this opulent four-door emphasizes comfort, quiet and a whole lot of value. No surprise if you know the Hyundai luxury brand’s M.O.: The G90’s base price is less than half what you’d pay for that tire-melting Mercedes.
You can find our full review from Cars.com’s Brian Wong by following the related link above. Or, if you’d like a quicker overview of this elegant sedan, be sure to keep reading.
Here are seven things we like (and three less so) about the 2020 Genesis G90:
Things We Like
1. Two Strong Engines
The Genesis G90 has a choice of two engines, and both deliver plenty of power. The standard motor is a twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V-6 that delivers 365 horsepower. One step higher is a 5.0-liter V-8 that piles on 420 hp. Each engine comes paired with a refined eight-speed automatic transmission.
2. Available AWD
No matter which engine you pick, there’s a choice of having the G90 in rear- or all-wheel-drive format. Many luxury sedan buyers will enjoy the added peace of mind (plus the all-season grip) all-wheel drive enables.
3. Superb Ride Quality
The Genesis G90 is the kind of luxury sedan sought by shoppers who care less about 0-60-mph times or top speed and more about arriving at their destination feeling cool and relaxed. If you want a large sedan that’s ready for the racetrack, you’ll want to keep looking. The G90 is stable and planted on the road, though we noted in our review that it still feels like a big car.
4. Quiet Cabin
Not only did Wong remark on the “outstanding” ride quality in his review, he complimented the G90 for having a “whisper-quiet” cabin. Both engines provide swift and effortless acceleration without blasting you or your fellow motorists with a roaring exhaust. Hey, we like getting wild with the best of them, but it’s equally nice to waft along and let a luxurious ride take the stress out of everyday driving.
5. Infotainment System Adds Tech Touches
There was nothing much wrong with the multimedia system or dashboard controls in the outgoing G90, so the changes here are small — but appreciated. The system now includes a touchscreen to go along with a knob on the center console that was previously the lone means of control. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now compatible with the system (though we did notice that the latter functions didn’t fill the available 12.3-inch touchscreen).
6. Safety Features and Highway Drive Assist
The G90 comes with a long list of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, a 360-degree camera system and more. The G90 also comes with Highway Driving Assist, a semi-autonomous system that relies on the adaptive cruise control and lane keep features working in tandem to relieve you of the fatigue and monotony of moment-to-moment highway cruising.
7. Excellent Value Proposition
While the starting price of approximately $70,000 for an entry-level G90 is hardly pocket money for most car shoppers, it’s a relative bargain compared with many of this sedan’s direct rivals. To get the same level of power, comfort touches and safety features in the G90’s competition requires spending many thousands of dollars more. As large luxury sedans go, this Genesis is a big bargain.
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- 2020 Genesis G90: Everything You Need to Know
- 2020 Genesis G90: Prices Up But Luxury Value Remains
Things We Don’t
1. Polarizing New Design
Bigger is better, or at least that’s what the Genesis design team was thinking when it created the massive, ostentatious new front grille for the brand’s flagship sedan. Let’s call it a debatable design flourish, and step away from it for a sec. Sooo … it certainly makes the G90 bolder, though that’s not necessarily for the better.
2. Fuel Economy
The power that comes with either the turbo V-6 or optional V-8 engine is great. Less enthralling is the gas mileage offered by these two engines: The turbo V-6 returns an EPA-estimated 17 mpg in city driving and 25 mpg on the highway, only marginally improved from the 2019 model. Thirstiest of them all is the G90 fitted with the 5.0-liter V-8 and all-wheel drive: This model delivers 15 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.
3. Mostly a Carryover Car
No matter if you love the new exterior design or not, the 2020 Genesis G90 is pretty much the same car as before. Yes, it looks different thanks to the nose job we’ve already mentioned, yet the engines, transmission, suspension and much of the cabin are the same as the 2019 model year. If you’re OK knowing this is a refresh and not a major overhaul, then you and the newest G90 should get along just fine.
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