Is the 2023 Genesis G90 a Good Car? 4 Pros and 2 Cons
When Hyundai sent Genesis into the world as its own luxury brand, part of the formula involved delivering the necessary features, comfort, performance and tech to battle established competitors — for significantly less money. With the launch of the brand’s redesigned flagship G90, the strategy carries over, but without the cost advantage.
Related: 2023 Genesis G90 Review: Just as Nice, Just as Expensive
The higher price of entry may disappoint some would-be buyers, but that’s just one indication of Genesis’ success and increased confidence in the luxury market. To be fair, the 2023 G90 delivers the goods and represents a competitive alternative to its German competitors, even if it doesn’t carry the same cachet. The luxury sedan is comfortable, capable and well equipped, as Cars.com’s Mike Hanley confirmed while testing a new G90 in the more opulent of its two trims.
But as good as the refreshed G90 is, Hanley found a couple of negatives. Click the link above for his complete expert review. For a look at the highs and lows, here are four things we like about the 2023 Genesis G90 and two we don’t.
Things We Like
1. Appropriately Coddling Ride
The G90 coddles occupants with a very compliant and absorbing ride, as would be expected in a large luxury sedan. Its air suspension soaks up everything from minor imperfections to larger impacts, with little disturbance making it to the cabin. Impacts with rougher surfaces and utility covers do make themselves known, but not enough to throw the G90 off its game.
2. Performance to Match
With its standard all-wheel drive and 409-horsepower, supercharged and mild-hybrid powertrain that features a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine, our uplevel-trim test car delivered smooth if not overly quick acceleration in Comfort mode, with enough reserve power for easy highway merging and passing. Sport mode livens things up somewhat, giving slightly quicker acceleration and quick downshifts. Eco mode dulls responses somewhat, but not to the degree we’ve experienced in some other vehicles. Base trims get the same twin-turbo V-6, but without the mild-hybrid system and with 34 fewer horsepower.
3. Inviting Interior
Finished with obligatory upscale materials including Nappa leather seating surfaces, wood trim and a pseudo-suede headliner, the G90’s cabin looks the part of a $100,000 luxury car. There’s plenty of room for passengers front and rear, with those in back getting the full luxury treatment including a reclining backrest, power sunshades, available power outboard seats, media controls and a massage feature.
4. Straightforward Controls
The standard multimedia system uses a big 12.3-inch touchscreen that can also be operated with a console knob. Menus are easy to navigate with the console controller but are easier via the touchscreen. The system also responded well to voice commands for inputting destinations.
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Things We Don’t Like
1. Design Hiccups
The Genesis’ largely straightforward controls are so logical and easy to use that some shortcomings really stand out. Silver-colored buttons and controls may add to the upscale look, but their labels lack sufficient contrast for easy viewing in daylight. We also had trouble seeing the touchscreen climate controls in certain sunny conditions, and the head-up display is nearly invisible if you’re wearing polarized sunglasses.
2. No Longer a Bargain
Genesis has done a fine job taking on its German competitors with its redesigned flagship that is ready to do battle with the best. Unfortunately for bargain shoppers, the latest G90 is now comparably priced to those more established brands. While that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, the Genesis brand still doesn’t carry the same prestige as BMW or Mercedes-Benz.
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