The 2020 Genesis G90 debuts in Canada for the first time and is sure to make a splash in the full-sized luxury sedan segment. Many consider the release to be surrounded in doubt since the flagship sedan category has been waning since the introduction of the SUV. Despite the naysayers, the 2020 G90 packs a full set of features, performance and luxury from its powerful V8 engine (which is rare these days) to the plush rear seating area.
REFINED EXTERIOR
The chiseled exterior of the 2020 Genesis G90 showcases clean lines and a planted stance, which come together to give the G90 a compelling presence. Up front the unique quad headlights sit on either side of the massive diamond mesh grille, along with the lower bumper air vents to provide an imposing front end design. Around the rear is a design fit for a luxury sedan, with integrated dual exhausts and sleek and narrow quad tail lights to match the front lights, but with a design that showcases the Genesis wings logo.
All around the 2020 Genesis G90, unique embellishments add to the luxury look like the illuminated side repeater and the huge 19” wheels with a G-matrix pattern. The wheel design is supposed to resemble the light from an illuminated diamond but is more reminiscent of a traditional spoke design for the old school luxury sedans.
INSPIRING INTERIOR
Stepping inside the cabin of the 2020 G90, you are immediately greeted with the finest quality materials, a minimalistic design and all the comfort and convenience features and technology you would expect from a luxury sedan. Premium Nappa leather with a quilted stitching design adorns the fully adjustable seats, while a huge 12.3 inch 720p high def widescreen display sits front and center on the dash. The 2020 Genesis G90 is also equipped with a powerful and crystal clear 900 Watt, 17 speaker 7.1 surround sound audio system.
The G90 also pays attention to the finer details like microfiber suede headliner, a rear trunk that opens and closes automatically with the push of a button and a “welcome mat” projector logo upon entry. While I am a big fan of a two tone colour design for the dash, the G90 falls a bit short with their brown interior as some of the brown plastics take away from the top notch quality of the wood grain and leather. Perhaps if the brown plastics were a different colour, the contrasting colours would help to elevate the already elegant interior.
Being chauffeured around in the back of the 2020 G90 is a pleasant and comfortable experience and the rear section design is built just for that. The rear seating is full featured and includes multiple power adjustments including recline, heating and cooling, along with memory storage for the seat adjustments and easy entry and exit automatic adjustments. The sleek center armrest when pulled down, allows control of almost everything including rear seats, audio and ventilation, plus is outfitted with two full sized cupholders, a phone storage tray and dual 12V outlets.
PERFORMANCE AND DRIVE
The powerful, quiet and responsive 2020 Genesis G90 is equipped with a 5.0L V8 engine, outputting 420hp of smoothly harnessed power. This pairs nicely with the AWD and 8 speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted manual shift paddles. While it’s rare these days to see a V8 engine on a sedan, it’s definitely a pleasure to drive and experience the raw power and the feeling that the engine is holding back.
The 2020 G90 delivers a dynamic driving experience, adapting the overall feel as it detects your driving style. While it’s clear the adaptive damping leans more towards a driving style built to chauffeur passengers around in comfort, it’s still a pleasure to pilot this powerful sedan. Pressing the gas gives the impression the G90 is delivering a huge amount of quiet and controlled power, but is barely trying. The overall feel from the inside is one of stability, control and comfort.
Although large in size, the G90 is surprisingly easy to maneuver thanks to the top of the line camera system that provides multiple views, including my favorite 360 view. Automatic braking is applied during reversing when getting too close to a wall or while there’s an oncoming object from the side. The display between the gauges shows the full side lane view when you put the turn signal on. Between these features and the comprehensive heads up display, drivers will rarely take their eyes off the road.
FINAL THOUGHTS
“You don’t travel, you arrive” is what Genesis says about the G90, and pretty much sums my overall experience driving this flagship luxury sedan. Fully loaded is the only option when it comes to buying, and the 2020 G90 is priced at $89,750. The only optional upgrade is seatback displays for the rear passengers.
Complimenting the luxury driving experience, Genesis as a company also delivers a customer service experience to match, by going above and beyond to deliver test drive vehicles directly to you and picking up your car for a service, while leaving you with a loaner vehicle.
