2021 Genesis G90 Best Buy Review

IT’S A BEST BUY BECAUSE:

The Genesis G90 closely emulates the look, feel, and driving experience of premium large sedans from the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but retails for considerably less money.

BUT…

The Genesis brand doesn’t yet have the recognition or cachet of established luxury makes, and no stand-alone options are available.

WORTH NOTING:

The G90 is one of just four offerings from Hyundai’s recently launched luxury brand—the others are the compact G70 sport sedan, the G80 large sedan, and the new-for-2021 GV80 midsize SUV.

WHAT IS IT?

The G90 is a 4-door premium large sedan that debuted for 2017 as the flagship of Hyundai’s Genesis luxury brand. (Genesis products are available at select Hyundai dealerships.) The base G90 engine is a 3.3-liter turbocharged V6; a 5.0-liter V8 is also available. Both engines mate to an 8-speed automatic transmission and can be had with rear- or all-wheel drive. Heated and power-folding mirrors, a hands-free power trunklid, adaptive suspension, Genesis Connected remote vehicle access, power soft-close doors, and adaptive xenon headlights with automatic high beams are among the standard features. Inside, every G90 comes equipped with heated and ventilated front seats with memory, heated rear seats, a 17-speaker surround-sound Lexicon-brand stereo, synthetic suede headliner, head-up display, and wireless device charger. V8 models add rear-vanity mirrors, power-adjustable ventilated rear seats with memory functions, and rear-seat entertainment system with dual 10.3-inch HD monitors. Standard safety features include forward collision warning and mitigation, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning and mitigation, adaptive cruise control, drowsy-driver monitoring system, a safe exit monitor for passengers, and a 360-degree surround-view camera.

WHAT’S NEW?

After an extensive exterior-styling makeover for 2020, the G90 gets minor updates for 2021, such as a reverse parking collision avoidance system, a Rear Comfort driving mode that improves the ride for rear-seat passengers, real-leather dashboard and door-panel upholstery, a new design for the 19-inch wheels, and an updated infotainment system with over-the-air update capability and improved voice recognition.

FUEL ECONOMY

The EPA rates the V6-powered G90 at 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The V8-powered G90 is rated at 16/24 with RWD and 16/23 with AWD. In Consumer Guide® testing, an all-wheel-drive V6 model averaged 20.5 mpg in an even split of city and highway driving.

VALUE IN CLASS

The Genesis G90 might not offer the same pioneering technology features or über-performance available powertrains of its long-running German rivals, but it does achieve an overall level of luxury and refinement that comes surprisingly close to the premium large car standard bearers—at sticker prices that are around $5000 to $20,000 less. G90 shoppers are unlikely to enjoy the same luxury dealership experience as a BMW, Lexus, or Mercedes-Benz customer, but the dollar savings should help compensate.

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