It’s easy to say that words have meanings, but that ignores the reality that words are in an ever-changing state of flux. Those of you old enough to remember the sitcoms of the 1980s are familiar with the trope of the out-of-touch old-timer pondering if a kid’s use of the word “bad” actually meant “good,” or if said kid meant things are bad-bad. And let’s not get into a debate as to whether or not no cap, fr fr or skibidi toilet even qualify as language.
What I’m trying to get at, I guess, is that luxury–both as a word and concept—carry different meanings to different people. And not even the car world can settle on what defines luxury. Is it defined by a low Nurburgring lap time? A four-figure horsepower output? An integrated mechanical watch movement? Or is it simply defined by a collection of choices that lead to an end-goal of ultimate comfort? If you ask the Genesis G90, it’s definitely the latter.
The Genesis G90 is the Korean brand’s definitive statement on flagship luxury. And while it wouldn’t be accurate to say that parent company Hyundai spared no expense in its creation (it’s a deep-pile carpet away from perfection), it certainly does deliver a lot of bang for your luxury buck.
Desire at first sight
That this luxury sedan borrows from some of the best certainly doesn’t hurt. At first glance you might see the curves of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, or the powerful shoulders of a Bentley Mulsanne. But it’s the details that give this Genesis an identity all its own. Those twin headlamps sit at just 32 millimeters tall and are the thinnest in the industry. They sweep back into a clamshell hood designed to help hide shutlines and reduce visual clutter. Those multi-dimensional 21-inch wheels look as if they were 3D printed, showing a complexity and elegance in their design that is reminiscent of the inner workings of a fine time piece. Dual-element lighting punctuates the rear to further make the design feel cohesive. And that flat-white hue? Perfection.
An interior that sweats every detail
Move inside and things get even better. Yes, the leather that trims the seats and all major surfaces is as buttery-soft as it appears. And the Forged Carbon accent trim, with fine matrix-like details finished in metal, look like nothing else in the industry. But it’s the hidden features, or rather, the features one typically doesn’t think about, that make the Genesis G90 experience a truly luxurious one. It starts when you enter the vehicle, where a simple press of the brake pedal automatically closes the power door. It’s a party trick, sure, but it’s one that delights me every time I use it. And even the UX design feels more considered than most, with warm colors and icons that make the screen feel more art gallery than smartphone.
Luxury, in my opinion, is a tactile experience, where refinement is revealed through touch. And to this end, the G90 thankfully gives us a bunch of physical controls, all of which elevate the in-car experience and allow the driver (that’s me) to keep their eyes on the road. The gear-select dial is both sculptural and ergonomic, allowing for easy operation. The master control dial and feature-adjustment knobs are nicely weighted, with knurled metal touchpoints for a finely machined feel. All seats are heated and ventilated, with a multitude of massage options.
But the real seats of power here are the ones you’ll find in the rear. Of course these seats feature fancy pillows, recline, can give you a massage and have a cool ottoman. And by default that center control panel serves as the master control for all in-car entertainment functions. I was disappointed to not find any sort of champagne chiller in the rear, but I guess we can’t have it all in a car that starts at “just” $99,500.
Built for comfort, not speed
Dropping that kind of coin will get you some solid mechanicals, though. Power for this particular model comes from a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 equipped with a 48-volt electric supercharger that together output 409 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of twist. This powertrain is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission tuned to provide imperceptible shifts, so power comes on with a smoothness and forcefulness not too dissimilar from what you’d find in an EV. And it’s all about as quiet as a pure electric car, too, which leads me to the following:
Are you looking for a car with an incredible driving signature? You won’t find it here. Everything about the Genesis G90 feels to have been designed with the express purpose of isolating all cabin occupants from the outside world. Powerful engine note? Not here. Confident handling? Nuh-uh. Steering feel? Nope. Anything that gets in the way of a cloud-soft ride just doesn’t have a home here. In traffic, and over long stretches of highway, this car’s multi-chamber air suspension simply rides like a dream. Throw a curve its way, though, and you’ll be wishing for more feedback. And while I’m complaining, its rear-steer system is a bit too aggressive at low speeds—even a slight turn of the wheel gets the rear end feeling like it hit an ice patch. It’s disconcerting in 75-degree beach weather, and I can imagine it’d cause confusion in actual icy conditions.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, though, I’m not sure that any of this matters. To me, the Genesis G90 feels like it was designed specifically for those who get to ride in the back. The type of customer who knows that true wealth comes with a chauffer, and that the act of driving itself is best reserved for the proletariat. They get all the comfort, all the control, and get to experience the classic definition—the true definition—of luxury.
Justin Kaehler has been covering all things automotive for 20 years, and has been an active part of the car scene for much longer than that. Though he’s grown to love all cars, he’s still particularly fond of the ’80s and ’90s Japanese metal he grew up on. And for those of you who grew up playing The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift game for the PS2 and PSP, yes, he’s also that JDM Justin.