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The second-generation G90 loses its big engine but gets lots of new features.
The Genesis G90 helped launch the luxury offshoot from Hyundai in 2017, and anchored the upstart luxury outfit during its first few years, offering premium-sedan buyers an equipment-laden alternative to the ubiquitous German offerings. The folks at Genesis have since branched out from full-size sedans, expanding the Genesis portfolio to include two handsome SUVs, but despite the ever-shrinking importance of the sedan segment, Genesis is giving the G90 a second generation.
Powering the new G90 is also a new powertrain. The 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 and the 5.0-liter V8 are both gone, a new 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 taking the place of both as the sole available engine. Genesis fans should be familiar with the engine as the 3.5-liter V6 also powers the updated G80 sedan and the GV80 crossover. Under the G90’s hood, this 3.5-liter mill sends 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque to a standard eight-speed automatic. Genesis will add on a 48-Volt electric supercharger to its long-wheelbase, all-wheel-drive models; Genesis has yet to release those power figures.
The upcoming G90’s styling follows the direction Genesis has established with its other recent updates. At the front, you’ll see the massive Genesis grille and the slim twin headlamps. That twin light design is mirrored at the rear with the taillights. On the side, you’ll see flush door handles and wild wheels that accent the otherwise reserved exterior styling.
While the exterior is fairly conservative, the 2023 Genesis G90’s interior has some wild features. From the driver’s perspective, this interior, again, follows the path laid by other recent Genesis products: a minimalist dashboard that’s driver-focused and a center console that houses the rotary dial gear selector and a dial controller for the infotainment system. The infotainment screen and instrument panel sit atop the dashboard like a massive docked tablet, but Genesis hasn’t yet mentioned screen measurements. Massaging seats add to the creature comforts of the driver—chauffeur or otherwise.
In the back of the G90, passengers will see what the company calls VIP seating, which means it added footrests and leg supports. There’s also a 10.2-inch touch screen attached to the back of each of the front seats, and an 8.0-inch touch screen in the rear center console. This center console controller can let rear passengers set their own climate controls, seat positions, and massage settings.
The standard underpinnings on the upcoming G90 is a camera- and GPS-assisted system called Preview-Electronic Control Suspension. If that’s not good enough, Genesis will offer a multi-chamber air suspension. This air suspension should give passengers an even softer ride and will lower the Genesis at high speeds to help eke out more miles per gallon. The long-wheelbase G90 will also see a rear-wheel-steering system to help make it easier to maneuver in tight parking spaces.
Ultimately, it’s hard to roll out a new luxury machine without high-tech consumer features, and this new G90 has some interesting ones. Remember those flush door handles? They pop open when the G90’s smart key triggers the proximity sensor. If you’re a fan of your smartphone’s fingerprint sensor, the Genesis G90 opts for a fingerprint sensor that enables keyless starting and driving. The most luxurious feature: automatically closing doors. The front doors can be set to close automatically when the brake pedal is pressed, and the rear doors can close with the push of a button.
With these sweeping changes and the ever-changing marketplace, the starting price is sure to be higher, but just how much is still to be determined. We should see this new G90 before the end of 2022.
Can the Genesis G90 grow in this shrinking sedan landscape? Or will its highly competitive rivals make this next-gen model moot? Tell us your thoughts below.