A Week With: 2023 Genesis G90 3.5T E-Supercharger
Genesis has been making a lot of noise the past few years, first with the addition of its SUVs and, more recently, with its battery-electric models.
It’s award-winning EVs, I should correctly note. The brand’s all-electric sedans and crossovers have either captured or placed highly in a slew of competitions or studies ranging from North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year, MotorTrend, J.D. Power & Associates rankings and more.
All this from a brand that once was a Hyundai model that grew into a luxury vehicle unit that defied the conventional wisdom of the time.
Overview
In fact, it’s easy to forget the brand started off with just a few sedans while working to round out its line-up in the years following. However, just one look at the impressively styling of the 2023 Genesis G90 will very quickly remind you just how the brand got popular — and quickly.
The newest iteration of the G90 sticks to the formula that got Genesis off the ground quickly: sporty, contemporary styling with a comfortable, tech-laden interior and a performance-oriented powerplant. Good news: nothing’s changed with the new G90.
Exterior
Upon approach, it’s impossible to ignore the athletically elegant full-size luxury sedan. With the massive crest grille, two-line headlights and the clamshell hood that melds the hoot and fenders in a single panel, it screams “Look at me!” — especially in the Saville Silver specialized paint our tester came in.
Gazing down the side and all you see is long, low and fast, especially with a belt line that sits a bit lower than other sedans in the category. It’s already sitting in attack position, as if it could leap forward at any moment.
If only you could stop there. However, the back end is what I would generously describe as uninspired — the weak spot in an otherwise stellar design. To its credit it does carry through the two-line lighting for the combination taillights. The word “Genesis” spread out across the back end. It contributes to the overall look, by being consistent, but it just seem plain jane when compared to the rest of the vehicle.
Interior
The interior of the G90 is spacious and ours was covered in Bordeaux brown nappa leather and microfiber suede. The leather seats, which are heated and cooled, are a great place to be for short errands or longer drives.
The high-quality materials ensure you understand this is an expensive luxury sedan. If they don’t, the crystal gear selector dial, and doors that close at the push of a button certainly will. However, the inside doesn’t strike the same chord as the outside, despite an attempt to carry over the look of the two-line headlights with the vents.
That said, it’s simple, uncluttered with an appropriate ratio of knobs and buttons to haptic response touchscreens. The G90 is decked out with just about every bit of technology one can imagine. The safety and concierge technologies come together marvelously on a road trip as I discovered during a four-hour round trip to visit a friend.
Powertrain
Another bright spot is the 3.5-liter supercharged V-6 engine with the 48-volt mild hybrid assist, tied to an 8-speed transmission. The combination puts out 409 horsepower and those ponies come on smoothly, but quickly.
Meanwhile the multi-chamber air suspension and rear-wheel steering work with the different drive modes and conditions to give you a premium driving experience you want. When traveling at high speed, it lowers the vehicle, reducing air resistance and improving the vehicle’s fuel economy.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the G90 gets 17 mpg city, 24 highway and 20 combined. My overall number was 21.6, but the lengthy drive I took, involved plenty of highway miles and bulked up the combined number a bit.
Safety & Technology
The G90 is equipped with a load of safety technology, most of which is expected in a luxury vehicle, such as forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist and more. I can’t think of a vehicle I’ve driven with more advanced driver safety systems — some have had just as many, but none with more.
Additionally the dashboard features a 12.3-inche digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, active noise control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Audio system, wireless phone charger — front and rear and a digital key.
However, there are the little tech touches that take it over the top, including the power shades for the rear seat windows as well as the rear window, heated and ventilated seats in the front and back, massaging sets, as well as “easy close” power doors that can shut at the press of a button.
Driving Impressions
The highway driving assist and smart cruise control — as well as the massaging seats — made for a comfortable ride, eliminating the stiffness and mental fatigue I often feel sitting for long drives.
On the freeway, it’s comfortable, not floaty, soaking up bumps, but also going where you aim it. You can feel — and occasionally see — the suspension raising or lowering the ride height of the car, depending upon the conditions.
The 3.5-liter supercharged V-6 engine with the 48-volt mild hybrid assist is powerful and will even push you back in your seat a bit, considering just how big and heavy the car is. It’s a fantastic intersection of power, comfort and responsiveness, especially with rear-wheel steering helping with quick maneuvers.
2023 Genesis G90 3.5T E-Supercharger AWD Specifications
| Dimension | L: 207.7 inches/W: 76 inches/H: 58.7 inches/Wheelbase: 125.2 inches |
| Weight | 5,192 pounds |
| Powertrain | 3.5-liter Twin Turbo V-6 with e-Supercharger; 8-speed automatic transmission, AWD |
| Fuel Economy | 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway/20 mpg combined |
| Performance Specs | 409 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque |
| Price | Base price: $88,400; As tested: $100,370 including $1,095 destination charge |
| On-Sale Date | Available now |
Wrap Up
The problem for the G90 is that it plays in a tough league with more established competitors like the BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS, Mercedes-Benz S Class and more. And with a price tag right at $100 grand, many won’t see that as a big enough value proposition to choose it over the other.
Still … it’s a lot of luxury car for the money.
2023 Genesis G90 3.5T E-Supercharger — Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Genesis G90 a reliable car?
Consumer Reports expects the 2023 G90 to have average reliability compared to other new cars.
How much will the 2023 Genesis G90 cost?
The G90 starts at $88,400 before a $1,095 destination charge, options or taxes.
Does G90 require premium gas?
Yes
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