What do
you get when you take one-part Mercedes-Benz S Class,
one-part Lexus LS, sprinkle a dash of BMW 7 Series and a
hint of Audi A8? The result is the all-new Genesis G90 Super
Sedan!
Car
brands, like good wine, need time to mature, and that is
exactly what is happening with the luxury brand from Hyundai
known as Genesis. There have been some previous generations,
even a short-lived, higher-end version of the Genesis called
the Equus, all great stepping stones to the Genesis brand we
know today.
As a
lucky journalist, I get to drive a lot of different cars,
including all the high-end cars that Genesis used to
benchmark and create, pun intended, this latest version of a
super sedan. It has that elegant, je ne sais quoi
subtle look and feel of luxury that is incredibly difficult
to get right and Genesis has nailed it in the G90. The
interior is inviting, luxurious and fully appointed with
everything that a buyer for this caliber of car is looking
for. The driving dynamics are world-class, offering a
refined, quiet and elegant experience. So, what’s it like?
Let’s get started with our impressions.
Approaching the Genesis G90 from any angle, you instantly
recognize it to be an elegant shape even if you don’t know
what a Genesis is or who makes it. The grill is stately, yet
not over the top, the wheels are finished in a distinct
silver polish that make them both elegant and sporty at the
same time, while the back of the car offers an understated,
integrated exhaust tips, that once again, convey an air of
luxury and quality.
First
impressions upon entering the cabin are of sereneness and
comfortable elegance. Fit and finish are first rate and the
design architecture is once again, inspired by the best of
Japan and Germany. Seats are finished in butter-like leather
featuring ventilation and fully electric. The sumptuously
appointed and heated steering wheel offers all the major
functions for audio, cruise, menus and set ups. The center
dash offers a surprisingly large and well-integrated
infotainment system, featuring all the pertinent information
that is easy to read and understand. In the center console,
there is an articulating multi-function rotary knob that is
easy and intuitive to use. The headliner and side pillars
are covered with an elegant suede material that complements
the luxury appointments nicely. Now for the best part of the
G90; the rear seats. Think Business Class seats on a
wide-body aircraft and you start to get the idea of what
these rear seats are like. There are individually controlled
and reclining left and right seats, with a large center arm
rest featuring audio, ventilation and rear shade controls.
Front back rests offer two individual monitors that are
perfect for any long trip. I could not resist and I decided
to sit and watch some music videos in the back seat one
evening, Wow! Leg room is S-Class level and the surroundings
and all touch points are supremely comfortable.
During
our all too short of a week with the Genesis G90, it was
used for all kinds of daily tasks, performing flawlessly in
each of them. From a 40+ mile commute to and from work, to a
supermarket run, to dinner with friends, the G90 was perfect
in each. From the driver’s seat, there is total quiet in the
cabin, even at 70 miles per hour. The high-end audio system
pumped the sound of Frank Sinatra or Katy Perry perfectly.
Our G90 tester came with the optional 5.0 liter, V8 engine
which handled the size and weight of the G90 without any
strain. In fact, I was next to my sister in a stop light and
she was in her BMW 7 Series. I gave her an evil grin and
blasted off the light, leaving her in the dust. Later, she
remarked how surprisingly fast the G90 was. I simply looked
at her with a smug look.
Yes, the
word surprise came up a lot during my tenure with the G90.
Having driven the previous generations of the Genesis, I did
notice one nice evolutionary improvement, the suspension. It
feels much more dynamic as compared to a hollow-like feeling
from the earlier cars when going over a speed bump or a road
imperfection. Bravo Genesis! Brakes are easy to modulate and
direct, thus able to do limo stops with ease. Throttle pedal
easily conveys small inputs with precision, making
stop-and-go traffic feel smoother, a key factor in feeling
comfortable and less stressful during traffic. Overall
handling feels like a mix of the cars I mentioned above.
Soft, luxurious, compliant ride with a hint of European
sportiness thrown in. An AWD version as well as a 3.3-liter
turbo, six cylinder, AWD and RWD models are also offered.
Competitors include: Lexus LS, Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7
Series and Audi A8
The
Genesis G90, it’s like a perfectly aged bottle of wine whose
time has come to enjoy and savor.
The
Essentials:
MSRP:
$71,850.00 MSRP
(As tested): $72,825.00
Fuel Economy (Observed): 22.8 MPG
Engine: 5.0 liter, V8, 420 HP
Popular Option Packages: None. All-inclusive
Please visit:
www.genesis.com