In simple terms, a facelift means refreshing the car with mild updates. However, Hyundai seems to have gotten it wrong. What was supposed to be a mild facelift to its luxury subsidiary’s flagship car actually looks like a new generation altogether. The refreshed Genesis G90 was unveiled in South Korea to replace the model that, despite being young, started to look too old in the tooth.

Appearances Are Deceptive

Yes, this is the same Genesis G90 that started off as the Hyundai Genesis around three years back. All it needed was a new name to trick us into believing that this is a new car. The front gets a new grille with air vents at the bottom of the bumper. Many automakers have recently started enlarging the front grilles, especially the luxury marques. It draws polarising opinions, and personally, I’m not a fan of this design. The headlights have a four-point design and a strip that runs through the middle of the headlight console to the front fender. The hood looks muscular with two creases that are well-aligned to end at the Genesis’ emblem.

Same On The Inside, Different On The Outside

The turn signals on the side are moved to the fender from the wing mirrors. The luxury sedan now rides on new 19-inch alloy wheels. If there are no badges at the rear, you won’t be able to identify this car. The rear is completely different when compared to the previous model. Following another EV-inspired trait is the full-width taillights that are seen on numerous cars these days. The huge ‘Genesis’ lettering replaces the automaker’s logo on the trunk.

Form the pictures we can see the analog clock and air vents have become slimmer. Apart from this, we can expect new upholstery and updated infotainment technologies.

Familiar Powertrains

Although the official specs are not out, a local website reports that the same engines will be carried over to the refreshed model. There is no word on the pricing and launch date yet.

Our Take

Genesis has worked a lot on the new G90, and it certainly looks refreshed. Now, can it take on the likes of the Volvo S90, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and the Lexus LS500? In my opinion, the G90 has lost its sophisticated, classy looks to peer pressure and modern design trends. As stated earlier, the huge front grilles are not to my liking, and you can read my rants about the same look when it was revealed on the BMW iNext. What do you think about the 2019 Genesis G90? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Further Reading

Read our full review of the outgoing 2018 Genesis G90.