The highest expression of the brand
The 2017 Genesis G90 is the first car of Hyundai’s new luxury brand. The full-size luxury sedan is aimed at elite competition with premium brands. The G90 range includes the 3.3T Premium and 5.0 Ultimate sedans with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
Genealogy of the elegant athlete
They say that the Hyundai Equus, a full-size luxury car, flagship model, Hyundai’s largest and most expensive sedan, was very good, but it was not exported outside its homeland, so the happy inhabitants of the rapidly developing South Korea had to take the word of the manufacturers, who declared that the Equus was a competitor to Mercedes and BMW.
For connoisseurs, the Korean ‘horse’ (the name ‘Equus’ comes from the Latin word for horse) was an analogue of the Mitsubishi Dignity, which is easy to explain, because it was Mitsubishi masters who developed the design of the coolest Hyundai car, since back then Hyundai and Mitsubishi were allies. The Hyundai Equus was first introduced back in 1999 as a classic Asian limousine. Overall, it was a successful model with two generations. The second generation confidently lasted until 2016.
And why are we talking about the Hyundai Equus? Well, that’s because this very model has become the basis for the Genesis G90, which now has to really compete with Mercedes and BMW in their market. The G90, the successor to the Equus, has been the flagship model of Hyundai’s new premium division since 2017. Luc Donckerwolke, Executive Vice President and Chief Designer of the Hyundai Motor Group, has confirmed that the G90 has a special role to play and a special task. ‘The G90 is the ultimate expression of the Genesis brand’.
Design
All Genesis sedans are designed according to the ‘Athletic Elegance’ concept. However, in all honesty, one has to admit that the G90 fully corresponds to this concept. It is both athletic and elegant. The younger models, the G70 and G80, are almost flawless in terms of design, but they are more like advanced athletes in very expensive suits from very expensive stores, whereas the G90 is a true professional athlete, wearing an exclusive haute couture tuxedo.
‘The G90 is the ultimate expression of the Genesis brand’
The silhouette of the G90 is traditional and modern, powerful and sophisticated, featuring a bulging, muscular hood that looks like American luxury models, a slim, discreet body reminiscent of classic European models, technological refinement and impeccability. Overall, this is a purely Asian creation. The car has a large wheelbase, beautifully trimmed overhangs and a poetry-worthy harmonious radiator grille. The G90 can boast a truly impeccable exterior design, which is the Genesis brand’s undisputed success. This is the strongest point of Genesis cars, which is not subject to question.
The first generation
The first generation G90 was produced before restyling from 2016 to 2019. It is a large luxury 5-seater rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive sedan. The first generation can be equipped with a 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 engine with 365 hp or a 5-liter V8 engine with 420 hp. Both engines use an 8-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but any model can be fitted with all-wheel drive. The standard options include:
- 19-inch wheels;
- adaptive automatic xenon headlights;
- LED running lights;
- heated and electrically operated mirrors;
- soft-close doors;
- adaptive suspension;
- adaptive cruise control;
- keyless entry and more.
The interior is a classic luxury, excellently finished and advanced space, featuring a head-up display, three-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, a 22-way driver’s seat (16-way front passenger seat), electric tilt, telescoping and heated steering wheel, adjustable interior lighting, electric sun blinds for rear windows, navigation system with real-time traffic and voice control, and more. The trunk has a volume of 0.4 cubic meters, which is slightly less than that of competitors. The rear seats do not fold.
In terms of safety, the 2017/2018 Genesis G90 comes with Surround Vision, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision warning and mitigation system with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring system with rear cross traffic alert, tactile steering wheel and much more.
The first generation G90 has conquered motorists not only with its impeccable exterior, but also with a carefully assembled interior with the perfect soundproofing.
The first generation G90 has conquered motorists not only with its impeccable exterior, but also with a carefully assembled interior with the perfect soundproofing. The drivers particularly loved the engines, which turned out to be powerful, reliable and, most notably, quiet.
Restyling
The new 2018/2019 Genesis G90 after restyling is the same luxury barge, but now it is even better. All body panels have been replaced except for the roof and doors, and the interior has a new infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
The interior of the restyled G90 features even better trim materials, heated and cooled front seats, a head-up display and power rear sun visor, a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen control screen as standard and many advanced options. Such a variety of modern options is already a tradition for the G90. The 2020/2021 Genesis G90 is exhaustively equipped with modern safety options, so it has:
- forward collision warning;
- automatic emergency braking;
- lane departure warning system;
- lane keeping assist;
- adaptive cruise control and more.
The engines and transmissions have remained the same. However, the suspension has been reconfigured in such a way that connoisseurs compare the traveling comfort with the classic Buick models of the 70s, offering a complete absorption of bumps. However, the Korean luxury car is devoid of certain flaws of the Buick models, for example, an excessive body roll during cornering. Plus, the steering control of the G90 is easy and precise.
