2023 Genesis G90 Review

Ready for a shocker? The top-level 2023 Genesis G90 costs $100,000 and feels worth the price tag. You tell us which is more surprising.

This G90 is fully redesigned, with a spacious cabin and loads of eye-popping features to steal attention from the likes of the Lexus LS, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The first-generation G90 model — which replaced the similarly intentioned Hyundai Equus — ran from 2017 to 2022, and with this totally redesigned model, Genesis has clear intentions to shock and awe.

The 2023 G90 sports a new look on the outside, led by a sleek hood and slimmed-down double headlight strips that accentuate the vehicle's length. The interior features a soft, swooping design language inspired by the brand's Korean heritage. The result is a striking and refreshingly unique luxury sedan that's ready to compete with our top-ranked picks from Europe and Japan.

All G90 models come with a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine. The base model produces 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque, representing a modest bump in each compared to the previous turbo 3.3-liter. Drivers looking for a bit more thrust can choose the upper trim level. Referred to as the 3.5T e-SC engine, it adds a 48-volt mild hybrid system, which powers an electric supercharger for extra power. Output for the e-SC engine stands at 409 hp and 405 lb-ft.

We drove the electrically supercharged variant and found it a delight on long roads. The G90 is built for cruising and feels at home settling into highway speeds to deliver a plush ride. Set the car to Comfort mode, sink into the well-appointed driver's seat, and let the car do the work. The powertrain is the definition of buttery — the V6 puts out plenty of torque through all four wheels, and the eight-speed automatic transmission is scarcely noticeable as it shifts through the gears.

The G90 is serene enough to rival Lexus, BMW and Mercedes-Benz — there's little doubt about that after our short test on straight Florida roads. But it's more easily upset in corners. The steering is lazy, and there is prevalent body roll. You can feel the air suspension working overtime just to keep its natural leaning and tossing in line.

But there's more to like than dislike about the G90. Models with the electrified powertrain come with rear-wheel steering, which turns opposite the front wheels at low speed to enable a sharper turning radius and turns in tandem with the front wheels at highway speed for greater stability. The battery in these versions is charged through regenerative braking, and while this can create sudden stops in similar sedans when you hit the brakes, that isn't the case in the G90. Everything feels silky smooth. That doesn't make for a thrilling drive through high-speed corners, but it hits Genesis' target in the fight against more established luxury marques.

The G90's top-notch cabin is among the most dazzling in the class. Very little plastic can be found at all — we even think there's less plastic in the G90 than in recent Mercedes and BMW sedans we've driven. The seats are coated in rich leather, the door panel inserts are wood or forged carbon fiber, and the headliner and ceiling are microsuede. There is plenty of adjustability in the driver's seat and steering wheel to find a comfortable position, and the rear passenger seat reclines almost fully with an extending leg rest cushion too. Riders under 6 feet tall may stretch their legs out completely, provided the front passenger seat is folded forward. (Occupants over 6 feet will run out of room.)

Genesis has eschewed interior door handles inside the G90, opting instead for buttons that automatically close all four doors, with a "soft-close" feature to ensure an airtight fit without slamming them shut. High-level stuff. All seats are available with heating, ventilation and massage. Compared to Mercedes' swirling and rotating massagers, the Genesis version only presses, but it's still a pleasure with your choice of three levels of firmness. Sound-deadening materials and active noise cancellation technology ensure a nearly silent ride, as wind and road noise is impressively kept outside. The cabin's overall look isn't too dissimilar from that of the GV80, but the G90's materials and build quality are a notch above.

Digital instrumentation and a widescreen infotainment display dominate the upper half of the dashboard, but Genesis wisely retains a handful of physical controls for commonly accessed functions. The new Mood Curator suite tailors multiple features — including air fragrances, ambient cabin lighting, and the high-end 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system — to create different moods for the cabin. Remote parking, the ability to use your smartphone as a key and over-the-air updates are all impressive features — however, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, puzzlingly, require a USB connection and are not wireless.

Genesis' rotating dials for both the drive selector and the touchscreen controller have returned, to mixed results. In our review of the GV80 SUV we called the screen dial "somewhat clunky," and that holds true in the G90 as well. Choosing when to swipe, rotate, shift or press the dial can be confusing, though at least it helps keep your eyes on the road instead of poking at a touchscreen. And if we're being picky — this is nearly a $100,000 car, after all — the rear seat controls don't make much sense: The screen is difficult to unlock, the up and down selectors change radio stations in the opposite direction, and the buttons control the front touchscreen. What happens when, for example, the driver needs the front screen for navigation and the rear passengers start messing with the radio? That front screen switches from a map to a radio display — not the best solution when you're navigating a tricky cloverleaf. It's a smart idea that, in practice, needs work. One feature that better hits its mark is a sterilizing UV light in the rear center console that kills 99.9% of germs on your phone, or any other small objects placed inside the console, in 10 minutes.

The 2023 Genesis G90 comes in two versions: the standard G90 and the mild hybrid model. Standard features are included as follows:

• 20-inch wheels
• All-wheel drive
• Turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine (375 horsepower, 391 lb-ft of torque)
• Eight-speed automatic transmission
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch center touchscreen
• Front seats with heating, ventilation and massage functions
• Heated rear seats
• 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system

• 21-inch wheels
• Turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine with supercharger powered by 48-volt mild hybrid system (409 horsepower, 405 lb-ft)
• Power-adjustable rear seats with ventilation and massage
• 26-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system
• Four-corner air suspension
• Rear-wheel steering
• Power-closing doors