This is the Genesis G90: the Korean luxury brand’s executive flagship limo that’s making waves around the world.
It’s more than five metres long, has been designed by Hyundai Motor Group’s future wizard (head of design SangYup Lee) and comes to the party armed to the teeth with gadgets. You know Genesis is serious when it’s more than happy to take on the well-established Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7-series and Audi A8.
And you also know the brand is brimming with confidence when it’s reportedly even planning on selling the G90 in Europe, just to unsettle that entrenched executive saloon world order.
We’ve driven the G90 in and around Seoul – here’s your guide.
Come on then, give me the G90 briefing
This generation of G90 was revealed towards the end of 2021 and is currently on sale in North America and Genesis’ home market of South Korea. The G90 is its biggest car, designed to take on those pesky Germans as well as models like the Lincoln Continental in the US. Even with such feisty competition, Genesis says it sold more than 25,000 of them in 2022.
You can spec in two wheelbases; the smaller is still 5.2 metres long, while the long-wheelbase version ups that to more than 5.4 metres. Both have a 3.5-litre V6 under the bonnet, with the LWB benefitting from the addition of an electric supercharger the engine for extra grunt and response.
Regardless of what G90 you get, every one has adaptive air suspension that scans the road ahead, rear-wheel steering, matrix LED headlights, automatic doors that close with just a button press, biometric security, a 23-speaker Bose stereo system capable of playing music as if you’re in the Boston Symphony Hall and a footrest for the rear passenger that even includes a foot massager. Did you get all that?
Well there’s more, if you live in Korea. If you buy the long-wheelbase version, you’ll get exclusive access to the Genesis Lounge at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul – a private bar for you and your fellow captains of the chaebol to discuss which mega conglomerate lieutenant keeps stealing your sandwiches from the break room fridge. In fact, that’s one part of the wider experience Genesis hopes to provide all of its ‘son-min’, or ‘honoured guests’ including more involved and bespoke handovers and dealers that are more like design studios in their own right.
Comprehensive, then – what’s it like as a passenger?
Quite the interesting experience. As with most limos, it’s best to sit in the rear seat on the opposite side to the driver to take full advantage of the car’s entire suite of features. But regardless of where you sit, the technology on board is enough to make Mercedes-Benz blush. Those automatic closing doors are satisfying to use, latching shut with a gentle whump as you get comfortable in the electrically-adjustable seat. The centre console features a touchscreen that controls the lights, blinds, your media and massaging functions. You can pair up Bluetooth headphones to the screens in front of you, too.
When you’re on the move, it’s quiet and refined. We heard barely any wind bluster or tyre noise while being chauffeured around Seoul in one – even on some immensely rough roads – while the actually-quite-tuneful V6 hums away in the distance.
The ride, however, does feel a little unsettled – especially if you’re comparing it to an S-Class or the latest 7-series – with some jolts and jitters from the suspension and the G90’s massive wheels shaking you about in your seat.
And for those days your chauffeur isn’t available?
In short: potent but a little anodyne. Naturally, the kind of person buying this car wants enough power to get out of their own way but aren’t hunting for corners to carve up, and that shows with the balance of the G90’s dynamics when behind the wheel.
The 3.5-litre V6 feels punchy, with a large swell of torque in the middle of the rev band accompanied by that tuneful growl as the revs build. Between the standard V6 and the electric supercharger-equipped long-wheelbase version, however, there’s only a negligible difference in thrust, with the latter feeling mildly more responsive. And, even so, the lazy automatic gearbox – so focused on shifting gears as imperceptibly as possible – takes its time to shift down when you require the beans.
As for dynamics, the ride feels no less unsettled at the front – and the steering is clearly designed for ease of driving, feeling resolutely numb. Approach a corner with some vigour and the standard rear-steer gets to work, pivoting the G90 around surprisingly sharp bends, but the weight and soft suspension setup instigates plenty of roll.
Genesis G90: verdict
The G90 excels in offering the corporate technocrat every possible piece of technology one could ever wish for, wrapped up in a dramatic-looking body and well-appointed interior.
It’s not the last word in dynamic brilliance – but few cars this size and with this remit are. Even so, BMW’s 7-series (and electric i7 sibling) is markedly better to drive, and the Mercedes S-Class still trumps its ride quality.
Very much a car to be driven in, then, rather than you taking the wheel yourself. Then again, if you can afford one, you likely wouldn’t be driving it anyway.
