Oh what I would give to rewind two weeks. You see, that's when I was relaxing in the new 2023 Genesis G90 - the luxury automaker's flagship sedan - enjoying the calm oasis from the outside world with its Mood Curator, backseat "lounge" with its cushiony leather massage seats and exceptional sound system. All of those things I could surely use at the end of very busy day like today.
Yes, the 2023 Genesis G90 I recently spent a week with is a luxury flagship sedan in every sense of the word. It also ushers in a number of firsts for the brand and is one of the most technologically advanced vehicles I've ever reviewed.
Exterior
Wow does the G90 exude polish and elegance in my test vehicle's gorgeous Hallasan Green hue (a color that's named after a shield volcano on Korea’s Jeju Island). It's really stunning. The intricate 21-inch alloy wheels are on the bolder, edgier-side, lending a modern look.
The redesigned G90 is lower and wider than its predecessor. Up front, a new Crest Grille is flanked by two-line headlamps - the thinnest on any Genesis model yet. Two key design elements to the G90s sleek exterior style are its single panel clamshell hood and the Easy Close Power Doors with auto flush door handles. On the tail end, Genesis gives it a cleaner look by lowering various elements like the license plate, sensors and reverse lights.
At night puddle lamps with the Genesis logo light up when you open the doors.
Powertrain
This G90 sports a new engine under the hood - a 3.5-liter V6 t-GDI w. 48 V e-Supercharger. Acceleration is effortless thanks to 409-horsepower and 405 lb.-ft of torque. The powertrain is mated to a very smooth-shifting 8-speed transmission. The G90's stop-start system is on the noticeable side, but can be disabled.
Interior
The G90 cabin is indeed an oasis of comfort, amid exceptional craftsmanship and impeccable detail. Soft touch materials abound from the carpeted floor mats and soft-touch door panels to the leatherette-wrapped upper instrument panel and microfiber suede headliner above. The cabin also features matte-finish wood trim and forged carbon surfaces. Sustainability is also a focus. Genesis says matte-finish wood trim was made using a new method that involves reprocessing wastepaper including newspapers.
The 18-way power Nappa quilted leather front seats with power bolster are truly divine. The driver's seat recline so far back, I can just picture a chauffeur taking a nap while parked. The front seats feature every comfort, from "ergo-relaxing" massage modes and a cushion extender to heated and ventilated options as well as speakers in the headrests. They're designed to send out guide/warning sounds that only the driver can hear. I have to say it was pretty cool to hear nav instructions through the headrest.
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The switchgear is absolutely stunning in here. Two gorgeous aluminum and glass dial-type controllers take up a lot of the center console. One operates the shift-by-wire transmission that vibrates when you shift into reverse, as a safety precaution. The second dial-type Central Control Panel operates the multi-media system with the top surface acting as a handwriting pad.
Concerned about germs? You'll be less so in here. Genesis coated the cabin interior with antibacterial Silver Zinc Zeolite material to control bacteria and microorganism growth on areas with artificial leather and car mats. There's also an anti-viral cubby in the rear center bin with UVC anti-bacterial disinfection for small personal items.
A key theme too is an "automated "experience - be it via button or touchscreen. One of the main displays of this are the Auto Flush Door Handles with multiple ways to close the doors once inside: the front center console, the second row’s armrests, and the door trims in both rows. (Upon exiting the vehicle, you close the door by touching the switch on the outside door or pressing the lock button on the remote control. )
The G90 also introduces a Genesis-first Mood Curator with four mood settings: Vitality, Delight, Care and Comfort. The settings control sunshades, and massage seats, and fragrance.
You're going to feel like a red carpet VIP especially in the back seat. Talk about a place to relax. The reclining heated and ventilated rear seats are supremely comfortable. I'll admit it. I spent a few minutes back there just enjoying the music and massage seats afforded by the "Care" setting in the Mood Curator. The pillow headrests are exquisite.
An 8-inch Armrest Touch Screen (ATS) in the center armrest is where back seat passengers can control climate, massage seat controls along with the power passenger window dual-sunshades.
Other features include a heated steering wheel, 3-zone climate, wireless charging both in the front and rear seats, power hands-free trunk, and a panoramic moonroof. At night, the G90 cabin turns into a modern light show, if you want it to, thanks to colorful ambient lighting.
Ride and Drive
The Genesis ride and drive are both outstanding. The power and ensuing acceleration are fantastic. Handling is confident with steering more engaging than not with a nice steering response especially in Sport Mode. Multi-Chamber Air Suspension works ably to sense and adapt to the road conditions, providing a smooth ride and one that helps protect the vehicle from damage. The ride is quiet thanks to multiple factors including the brand's most advanced noise cancelling system and laminated glass.
Technology
Aside from the luxury, the G90 is also one of the most tech advanced vehicles I've reviewed. Two large 12.3-inch screens provide a highly modern, tech look. The Integrated Cockpit integrates both digital driver info and navigation into a panoramic display with great graphics.
A 12.3-inch HD multi-media touch screen with three screens you can wipe between is superb. Navigation, voice command, graphics, sharp panoramic camera views, all excellent. The system is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are 5 USB-C ports in the cabin.
An incredible 26-speaker Bang Olufsen premium audio system with a new 3D Virtue Venue surround sound function drowns out stresses of the day.
A Fingerprint Authentication System in the center console enables keyless starting and driving. The Car Pro Jerry Reynolds demo's the system in his GV60 review here.
Highway Driving Assist II is the best semi-autonomous driving system I believe I've ever experienced. But keep your hands on the wheel. The G90 is also the first Genesis model to feature Hands On Detection (HOD), so the vehicle will know if you don't and give you a warning
Add to all this, the G90 also has the most advanced Head-Up display I've seen. The level of the display and graphics are incredible. Moving squares indicate vehicles around you. It also provides captioning when your using voice command.
Finally, Remote Start and Smart Park Assist allow you to remotely park or un-park the vehicle in certain conditions, a feature that's not new for Genesis but one that never ceases to impress nonetheless.
Safety
Along with Highway Driving Assist II, other advanced driver features include forward collision warning assist. lane keeping assist and lane follow assist, blind spot collision assist and blind spot view monitor, rear cross traffic collision-avoidance assist, driver attention warning, surround view monitor, parking distance warning, and parking collision avoidance assist. Add to that Safe Exit and Advanced Rear Occupant Alert.
What You'll Pay
For all this luxury, you'll pay just north of $100,000.
Verdict
The G90 is a crowning achievement for Genesis. It's a modern interpretation of old-school luxury, one that elevates Genesis even further as a premium brand.
- What I Liked Most: Everything.
- What I Would Change: That's a head-scratcher.
- MSRP: Base price $98,700; As equipped $100,370.
- What I would change: Massage controls on the side of the seats.
- Fuel Economy: 17city/ 24 highway/ 20 combined.
- Odometer reading when tested: 2,886 miles.
- Weight: 4,861-5,192 pounds.
- Spare Tire: Tire Mobility Kit.
- Length-Width-Height: 207.7” long/76” wide/ 58.7” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 19.3 gallons with filler on the driver's side.
- Towing Capacity: N/A.
- Official Color: Hallasan Green.
- 2023 Genesis G90 in a few words: The pinnacle of Genesis luxury that will take you from errand running to the red carpet.
- Warranty: 5 year/60,000-mile New Vehicle Warranty; 10 year/100,000-mile powertrain Warranty.; 3 year/36,000 mile complimentary warranty service valet.
- Final Assembly Location: Ulsan, Korea.
- Manufacturer's website: Genesis.
