Genesis has put the G90 luxury sedan through a rather extensive mid-cycle facelift that borders on the equivalence of what we’d expect from a new generation and has put facelifts from competitors like Infiniti, Audi, Lexus, and BMW to shame. Part of this mid-cycle update includes a complete exterior rework (save for the roof and doors) and a bunch of updated technology and materials that push the G90 even deeper into the luxury segment. There are no powertrain updates to report, but that’s okay, and you’ll see why in our full review below.
2020 Genesis G90
- Make: Array
- Model: 2020 Genesis G90
- Engine/Motor: V6
- Horsepower: 365
- Torque: 376
- [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
The 2020 Genesis G90’s Exterior Is Almost All New
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We wouldn’t blame you if you thought you were looking at a completely new model, but that really isn’t the case – at least not for the most part, anyway. There are a lot of exterior changes, though, so the confusion is understandable. In short,
If you look at the front end, You’ll notice the Audi-like grill has been left for dead, being replaced by a more triangular unit the reminds us a lot of Mazda’s latest grille design. The hood has been updated with a more muscular appearance – basically lines in the center – while the lower area of the fascia is now sleeker with a smaller opening and more pronounced front spoiler if that’s what you would call it. The significantly smaller and sleeker headlights really round out the front end appearance and bring the G90 in line with its competitors and maybe even a little more attractive in some cases.
The Side profile hasn’t really changed a lot, but that shouldn’t be surprising since Genesis didn’t mettle with the roof or the doors. You can actually take the doors off of a 2017 G90 and bolt them right up to the 2020 model without any issue. However, you’ll notice that the front fenders now come off as a little more luxurious with that weird body line behind the wheel being toned down. A new chrome vent or emblem or sorts now sits in the middle of the fender and actually gives the car a more premium look. There is a similar chrome strip below the doors, but the important thing to really take from looking at the side is that the new headlights are actually recessed into the nose instead of protruding from the front end like a weird pair of bug eyes. The rear quarter panels have been cut in the rear to make room for the rear fascia to meet up with the taillights where the wrap around and come to a much sharper point.
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2020 Genesis G90 exterior dimensions
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Length |
204.9 in. |
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Width |
75.4 in. (without mirrors) |
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Height |
58.9 in. |
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Wheelbase |
124.4 in. |
Revisions Are Hard to Spot Inside, But They are There
The 12.3-inch display in the center stack is now a touch-screen system and an updated GUI. We haven’t had a chance to get our hands on it yet, but from what we’ve been told, it’s a breeze to use and could even put Mercedes’ MBUX system to shame in some regard. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mirror Link come as standard equipment while the digital instrument cluster ahead of the steering wheel has updated graphics. More importantly, the 2020 G90 is Genesis’ first model to offer OTA updates for not only maps but software. There’s no word on how often maps and software will be updated, but it should be a seamless affair.
To help make the cabin more passenger-friendly, Genesis has added Active Noice Cancellation to reduce not only road noise but vibration and harshness. At the same time, the car’s adaptive suspension has been retuned to deliver an even smoother ride and eliminate vibration in real-time while at the same time dynamically managing body roll. New active and passive safety systems have been added for 2020, including:
-* Lane Following Assist (expands the reach of lane-keep and lane-departure assists, to help stay centered in a lane and provide steering assistance.)
-* Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (uses rear side radar to help detect and prevent impact with obstacles.)
-* Forward-Collision Avoidance Assist (can now help identify bicycles and vehicles in front of the vehicle.)
-* Safe Exit Assist (may alert a driver and passengers with alerts when an object is approaching an opening door.)
-* Highway Driving Assist (assists the driver to maintain the center of a lane on marked interstate highways, while keeping a safe distance from a vehicle in front. It can act in conjunction with Highway Auto Speed Slowdown, which adjusts vehicle speed to match posted signs.)
The 2020 Genesis G90 Sees No Powertrain or Performance Updates
Audi and BMW may get away with turning luxury cars into performance cars, but Genesis isn’t about to take that approach. The Genesis G90, as a flagship model, is meant to offer class-leading luxury. In other words, going fast and bending corners isn’t even a secondary goal. And, that’s probably why
On the entry-level 3.3T model, the turbocharged 3.3-liter V-6 is good for a respectable 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. With an eight-speed automatic handling shifting duties, the 2017 G90 with this engine was clocked making the 60-mph sprint in 5.4 seconds by Motor Trend and was able to run the quarter-mile in 13.9 seconds at 100.7 mph – not bad for a model this size.
The 5.0-liter V-8 is good for 420 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, all of which is channeled through the same eight-speed automatic transmission. This thing about the V-8 is that, despite having more power, it apparently offers up the same performance as the smaller V-6 while sucking down more gas. When Car & Driver tested the 2020 G90 with the V-6, it apparently posted the same exact 60-mph sprint as the V-8. So, unless you’re dead set on having the old-school feel and (kind of) rumble of a V-8, you might as well go with the V-6 and get the extra mpg in the city and on the highway (17/25 vs. 16/24.)
Both engines are capable of being equipped with all-wheel drive, but rear-wheel drive is the standard offering. The 3.3-liter V-6 will offer the same 15 mph in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with AWD, but the larger V-8 drops to 15 mpg in the city and 23 mpg when equipped with AWD. Considering the fact that the G90 is all about cruising around in comfort, the AWD system is probably worth paying extra for.
2020 Genesis G90 specifications
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Engine |
3.3-liter turbocharged V-6 |
5.0-liter V-8 |
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Power |
365 horsepower, 376 lb-ft. of torque |
420 horsepower, 383 lb-ft. of torque |
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Transmission |
8-speed automatic |
8-speed automatic |
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Drive wheels |
Rear-wheel drive (standard) All-wheel drive (optional) |
Rear-wheel drive (standard) All-wheel drive (optional) |
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EPA estimated fuel economy |
17/25 mpg (RWD) 17/25 mpg (AWD) |
16/24 mpg (RWD) 15/23 mpg (AWD) |
2020 Genesis G90 Pricing
The Genesis G90 goes on sale in December 2019, but the company has yet to release official pricing. Pricing for the 2019 model is pretty straightforward with the 3.3T trim (the one with the V-6) coming in at $69,350 and the G90 5.0 (the V-8) coming in at $73,850, both of which are equipped with RWD. If you want the AWD model, you’ll have to pay $71,850 for the 3.3T or $76,350 – an increase of $2,500 for either model. When the 2020 model goes on sale, you can expect a price hike to take place, but I wouldn’t expect starting prices to go beyond $71,000 for the 3.3t or $75,000 for the G90 5.0. We’ll update this section as soon as Genesis releases official pricing information.
2020 Genesis G90 Competition
2020 Lexus LS
If you’re looking for a sportier full-size luxury sedan, then you’ll probably want to stop by your local Lexus dealer and take a look at the new Lexus LS. Sure, it has that funky and massive grille, and the overly designed headlights, but it really is a looker, and it will garner you at least some attention. Currently only available in two trims – the LS 500 and LS 500 F-Sport – you’ll find a 3.5-liter V-6 under the hood that’s good for 416 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. It’s pretty fast for a full-size sedan as well and will get you up to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Like the G90, the LS500 is geared toward luxury, so expect plenty of premium materials inside, modern technology, and an exceptional ride. If you’re hunting for a new ride in this price range, you really can’t go wrong with the Lexus, but you’ll have to pony up at least $74,350 with RWD or $78,670 for AWD. The F-Sport model doesn’t offer any significant performance upgrades, but it is a little more stylish. It’s a good option too, if you’re willing to pay $81,450 (or almost $85,000 for AWD).
It should also be mentioned that the Lexus LS does offer one thing that the Genesis G90 doesn’t, and that’s a hybrid powertrain. If you opt for the LS 500h, you’ll get a significant drop in power (down to around 350 ponies or so), but you’ll get a remarkable bump in fuel economy, and you’ll be doing your part for the environment too. Pricing for the LS 500h starts out at $79,960 with RWD or $43,180 in AWD form.
Read our full review on the 2020 Lexus LS
BMW 7 Series
Up until the BMW 8 Series came back to life, the BMW 7 Series was the cream of the crop in BMW’s sedan lineup. It features the long hood, rear-sitting greenhouse, and the interior as about as luxurious as you can find without stepping foot into Bentley or Rolls-Royce Territory. Make no mistake – the BMW 7 Series is a full-on luxury car, but it also has a sporty side to it as well if you select the right time. Of course, it all comes at a cost, and the 7 Series could easily creep out of your price range if you’re not careful. The current lineup consists of the 740, 750, and M760i, each one offering up their own engine configuration.
The BMW M740 can be had in RWD or AWD format and is powered by BMW’s ubiquitous 3.0-liter. In the 740, it’s good for 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. It starts out considerably higher than the G90 or Lexus LS, though, at $86,450. Move up to the 750, and you’ll be stuck with AWD, but you get a 4.4-liter V-8 that pumps out an impressive 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, but it’ll cost you even more with a sticker price of $102,650. If you want something that’s genuinely sporty and fast, you can go with the M760i, which will net you 600 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque – enough to get you to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. However, the sticker price is a divorce-inducing $157,700, so you’re really creeping into territory that probably disqualifies the G90, Lexus LS, and lesser 7 Series models anyway.
Read our full review on the 2020 BMW 7 Series
Mercedes S-Class
The Mercedes S-Class is identified as some as the epitome of luxury outside of super-luxury automakers, and it comes with a price tag to match. It does have the luxury look and feel that you probably want, but the entry-level price of $94,250 will get you a 3.0-liter V-6 with 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. If you want AWD, you’ll have to pony up an extra $3,000. You’ll find that the comfort and technology are up there with the best, but you’ve already priced yourself away from the G90 by a considerable margin if you’re even considering this baby. Move up to the S560, and the story gets even more expensive. It comes with a 4.0-liter V-8 that’s good for 463 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. It’ll get you to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, and you’ll look good doing it, but your wallet will feel $101,350 lighter.
Like BMW, Mercedes also offers something sportier and faster. For $149,550, you can the AMG S63 with a hand-built 4.0-liter V-8, 603 horsepower, and 664 pound-feet of torque. You’ll run to 60 mph in as little as 3.4 seconds. If money is no object, though, and you were considering buying 3 Genesis G90s, then you can go with the V-12 powered AMG S65 sedan and brag to your friends about the 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque you have at your disposal. Since the V-12 is much heavier than the V-8 in the non-S model, the sprint to 60 mph is slower at 4.1 seconds, and you’ll have to decide between buying a decent house and buying the S65 since it starts out at $232,550.
Read our full review on the 2020 Mercedes S-Class
Final Thoughts
The Genesis G90 really is a superb offering, and with an entry-level price that starts below $75,000, it does offer a decent bang for your buck. Sure, most of the full-size luxury models it competes with have the clout that comes with a well-established name, but they really do reside in a segment of their own, at least when it comes to pricing if nothing else. Perhaps that’s what makes a car like the G90 with its high levels of comfort, decent performance, and – arguably – affordable price such a good deal. It might still be an underdog in the luxury segment, but it does have the chops to compete with the big boys if you give it a chance. With the 2020 update, it now has the looks and technology on top of it all, and that’s good enough to give the G90 a second look.