2023 Genesis G90 AWD: The Brand’s Restyled Flagship Executive Sedan

Highlight: The G90 offers an all-new mood curator, which adjusts the lighting, the sound system, activates the massaging seats and the fragrance system. Its like having one’s own personal in-vehicle spa.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $100,370 (Base Model): $89,495

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a radar activated cruise control system; rearview camera with parking guidance; a 360-degree camera; a heads up display system; a high beam assist system; a vehicle stability system; an electronic stability control system; a hill start system; a parking distance warning system; a blind spot collision assist system; a lane keep assist system; a lane forwarding assist system; a forward collision assist system; a driver’s attention warning system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment (3.5-T AWD): 20-inch wheels; rear wheel drive; 375-horsepower engine; rear wheel drive configuration; dual power exterior mirrors; Nappa leather seating; massaging front seats with power bolsters; heated/ventiatled front seats; heated rear seats; rear wood trim; a three-zone climate control system; a leather wrapped steering system; paddle shifters; a power tilt and telescopic steering wheel; a heated and haptic steering wheel; front (and rear) charging pads; a push button ignition system; a variety of driving modes; a remote parking assist system; a power door closure system; a mood curator (a personal spa);  three-zone climate control system; a power rear and rear sunshades; a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment screen; and a wireless device charging system

Standard Equipment Test Model:21-inch wheels; 409-horsepower; a supercharged engine; power rear seats with massage function; ventilated rear seats; power rear seats with massage function; a 26-speaker bang and Olufsen audio system; rear wheel steering; easy close power doors; rear passenger massaging seats; a multi chamber air suspension; a tire mobility kit; second row vanity mirrors; and a rear wireless charging device

Options: blue exterior paint

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 15-speaker Bang and Olufsen audio system with and AM/FM/HD/SiriusXM radio

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: No wireless connectivity

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles

Electric Battery Warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles

Standard Horsepower: 429-hp (test model)

Standard Mileage: 18-city/26-hwy

What’s New: The G90 is the brand’s second-generation luxurious flagship sedan.

Why:

A sophisticated, elegant design

Massaging front and rear seats

Reclining rear seats

A heads up display (HUD)

AWD

An automatic brake hold feature

Easy closing doors when the vehicle is placed in drive or with the touch of button

A variety of driving modes

A co-pilot assist driving system

A remote parking assist system

Front and rear charging device

Comfortable seats

Roomy interior

A number of high-tech safety driving aids

Heated steering wheel available

Heated/ventilated front seats

Power front seat w/memory driver’s feature

Dual sunroofs; first is power operated and the second one is fixed

A premium 26-speaker audio system

Second row outlets available for charging laptops, smartphones and other devices

Rear wheel steering, improves turning radius

A mood change setting system (an in car personal spa)

But:

A Fingerprint Authorization system allows the drivers to start and drive the car without a key (biometrics)

No electrified model (plug in hybrid vehicle)

Verdict: The second generation G90 takes styling cues from its stylish midsize sibling the G80, but on a longer wheelbase. This year’s limo like G90 oozes out luxury and is light years from the Hyundai Equus, the brand’s first flagship sedan before evolving into the Genesis. Fast forward, the stately G90 was birthed from the Equus. In fact, the first generation G90 exterior was designed by Hyundai’s first Black car designer, Andre Hudson.

Although many critics questioned if the large Genesis was capable of rivaling many of the legacy makers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, this year’s model quiets all of the naysayers. The 2023 G90 places the elegantly design G90 in the same league as both BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S Class. In our opinion, it out classes the awkward looking Lexus LS, which takes some exterior styling cues from the Porsche Panamera.

For the 2023 model year, the G90 is available in two trims. While the pricing of the Korean built flagship sedan undercuts the competition, its not the basement bargain price one will expect. Depending upon the trim, the vehicle can be outfitted with everything from a 26-speaker sound system to a reclining rear right seat with a footrest to massaging seats to soft close doors. Unlike the Mercedes-Benz and BMW, the G90 doesn’t require several trips to the dealership to master the infotainment system.

Furthermore, the G90 offers a balanced ride too, while being power by two engine options and rear wheel steering, making the vehicle easier to navigate. Despite all of these great features, the current generation has yet to go electrified like some of its competitors. We can only assume one is in the pipeline. Genesis reminds us there is still a need for sedans, as consumers gravitate toward trucks, SUVs and crossovers.

Competition: Audi A8; BMW 7 Series; Lexus LS; Mercedes-Benz S-Class; and Porsche Panamera