2023 Genesis G90 3.5T e-Supercharger - Bottom Line Review

Originally published 2023-04 , Updated 2024-10

FLAGSHIP CREATION EVOLVED THRICE: "In the beginning [ca. 1999], from the dust of Japanese car deities [notably Mitsubishi] before it, Korean industrial Hyundai's automaking offered up a front engine, front drive gas V-8 powered luxury sedan (LZ) called Equus (Latin: "horse").

Connoisseurs of flagship sedans saw it was not very good.

Ten years later, Hyundai commanded a new front engine, rear drive globally sold flagship, the second generation Equus (VI). Korean and Chinese chauffeurs saw the Hyundai Equus were good, but badge snobbery stifled acceptance among owning drivers elsewhere.

Spinning off a distinct luxury brand bearing the eponymous name of its former executive class sedan, Seoul's value "Luxury Brand of Birth," put the old horse out to pasture and bore an alphanumeric festooned flagship saloon armed with power to take on the stalwart battlewagons from Europe and Japan. A refreshed 2023 Genesis G90 arrives with more muscle, new user interface technology.

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WHAT: 2023 Genesis G90 3.5T E-Supercharger series RS4 luxury flagship executive sedan, a comprehensive update of the HI series G90, launched in 2021.

_{Manufacturer Provided Specifications @2023 Roadblazing.com}

(Standard Power: longitudinal intercooled turbocharged 3.5T DOHC 24V DI gas V-6 = 365 hp/ 376 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm + 8-spd. torque converter planetary transmission w/ shift paddles + rear wheel drive (opt. HTRAC Magna all-wheel drive)).

Optional Driving feature(s): rear-wheel steering

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE: Generation 3.5 Genesis G90 debuted in model year 2021. Opening this Matryoska doll luxury sedan should bear an uncanny resembling executive G80 and, from that, a compact G70. The new fastback shape is a far bolder expression of the original Schreyer design, adding sporty flair to this behemoth.

Schreyer and Co. have transplanted widened diamond grille visage from the one-size-down G80, more subtle longer clamshell hood creases. The fender tandem lateral pedestrian directionals align with the lateral front segmented wrap-around directionals.

The belt-line rises mildly, while a short but raked C-pillar and backlight converge upon a tall-ish trunk lid, replete with with a curved integral spoiler lip and chrome lid bar, topped by the winged emblem. Oversized inverted hockey stick taillamps follow the aperture line rather than cross onto the lid itself; A bulbous bumper is replete with dark plastic lower valance with corner chrome exhaust tips. The overall rear effect is fittingly derivative of another saloon with wings in its emblem: the Mk. I Bentley Continental Flying Spur.

WHY: Until a luxury SUV launches two years from now, a chauffeur-able sedan fills flagship role.

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) since late Autumn 2022

WHERE: Genesis new vehicle dealers

WHERE MADE: Ulsan, South Korea

HOW ROADWORTHY: Mild hybrid assistance and a zero drag electric supercharger add some appreciated punch to the 2023 G90's weight taxed 3.5L Lambda engine. While no slouch in smooth hand-offs, the in-house 8-speed automatic torque converter isn't as wicked quick to lock as competitor's ZF gearboxes, even when the steering wheel shift paddles are flogged. In actual snow cataclysms, the variable mode Magna viscous multi-clutch all-wheel drive pays for itself in spite of massive Michelin all season rubber.

Air springs are effective and predictive damping keep the two and half-ton G90 3.5T e-SC supple on the road, though with slower reaction to undulations. Crisp turn-in and urgent stopping power are reassuring at triple digit cruising. Still, short of pedigreed sport touring, the body tips in hard corners, and, it goes without saying, road feel is too neutral.

Counter directional rear steering is genuinely useful in cutting the turning radius of this battlewagon, making previous unthinkable parking maneuvers possible. Each journey in the G90 is contemplative as a courtesy of Bang & Olufsen active cabin noise cancellation.

HOW FAR: 20 combined miles per gallon; 463 miles highway range

HOW BIG/ LITTLE: Matching a Mercedes Benz S-Class long wheelbase firmly cements the 2023 Genesis G90 with fleet flagship status. Since the second row center position suffers from a driveshaft and cushion hump, occupancy is truly 2+2. However, a remote forward sliding & seatback folding first row passenger seat, converts the right side airline-style second row position into a VIP recliner.

_{Manufacturer Provided Specifications @2023 Roadblazing.com}

HOW USEFUL: √ Trunk center pass-through; √ Trunk space par for segment; √ Cargo tie-down net;  √ Proximity power trunk open & close; √ Fold-down trunk shopping bag anchor; √ Over-sized front ceiling soft-hinged sunglass caddy; √ Large mouse-fur lined glove box; √ Center-stack covered smart phone bin; √ Deep clamshell front center armrest bin;  -1 Long hood impairs outward, thick seat headrests, wide side pillars & rear headrests impair outward visibility; -1 Average 16 cubic foot trunk has narrow aperture

HOW SAFE:√ IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus rating; √ 10 airbags; √ 360^o Bird's Eye surround view cameras; √ sonar front & rear Park Distance Control, √ Audible rear park assist; √ Roll mitigation; √ Genesis Connect restrictive access & geo-fencing; √ Auto high beam LED headlamps; √ Rear occupant alert + sensor + mobile device app notification; √ Traffic street side driver's door alert + 2nd Row door lock-in; √ Rain sensing interval windshield wipers √ Driver Attention alert; √ Auto parking brake hold; √ Auto high beam headlamps; √ Heads-Up display w/ Augmented Reality depth

• Partial Autonomous Driving: √ Blind Spot & Rear cross traffic warning + avoidance braking; √ Post collision S.O.S. alert; √ Lane Departure Warning & Steer Prevention; √ Forward collision, pedestrian detection warning w/ avoidance braking; Intersection left turn oncoming traffic avoidance braking; √ full Adaptive Cruise control, curve speed control, w/ lead vehicle lane follow notice; √ Lane change assistance; √ Sonar fore & aft park collision warning w/ avoidance auto-braking.
• √ Remote parking assist unmanned fore / aft, insertion / extraction from parking space;

HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY: The rear airline seating, with power ottomans, betrays the flagship status of the 2023 Genesis G90 3.5T e-SC. Nearly no decadence has been spared in a cabin which compares to a fine relaxation spa. High artisanship is manifested in wood inlay marquetry and brushed aluminum accents. No seam is un-tucked, while metal tipped switches, knurled barrels and rotary knob move precisely. With but a single horizontal spoke the steering wheel conveys high design. The evolution to the unified concave panoramic landscape instrument cluster and infotainment displays is elegantly integrated. Their latest Genesis Connected user interface is superb. Yet the center console rotary transmission selector knob, located immediately left of the more recessed media display controller is an antonym for clarifying.

• √ Heated & cooled 18-way driver, 16-way front pax power seats, w/ 3-setting memory; √ Heated power adjust steering wheel; √ Comfort entry steering wheel + Row 1 seating retraction; √ 4 power windows x variable speed express; √ Row 2 door front & cross controlled power sunshades; √ Power door close + push-button cabin door latch release + dual front door center console operation; √ Rear backlight power sunshade w/ reverse auto retract; √ Puddle lamps at each door; √ Row 2 remote front pax seat pitch adjust; √ Standard dual moonroof

Cool Gizmo(s): 12.3" inch augmented reality TFT instrument cluster; √ Power reclining split 2nd Row airline seats + Row 1 pax seat remote foward slide, Row 2 right ottoman extend; √ Massage x 4 seats; √ Row 1 seats Posture Care seat adjust; √ Mood Curator cabin ambience modes x 4; √ Row 2 center armest = embedded climate, seat heating, front pax seat pitch adjust & redundant rotary infotainment audio controller; √ Driver's door Genesis winged logo puddle lamp; √ Variable color ambient cabin illumination; √ Ejecting + retracting flush exterior door handles; √ Acoustic Lens telescoping dashtop tweeters

Details Done Right:  +1 elaborate Cabin wood inlay marquetry; √ Micro suede lined ceiling & pillars; √ Knurled brushed aluminum switches;  √ Contrast stitched, Satin Nappa leather seating; √ Variable color full cabin ambient lighting; √ Power Tilt / telescoping heated leather steering wheel; √ Exposed stitched leather dash cover & hinged ceiling pull handles; √ Brushed aluminum door + headliner audio speaker covers

Nearly Non-Descript: -1 Short seat cushions; Cluttered center stack climate display.

HOW CONNECTED: √ 14.5" 80:20 split pane touch LCD infotainment screen, driving landscape home screen; √ Rotary dial remote display control + script touch pad; √ Voice recognition command hands-free communications; √ PS HDD OTA Navigation w/ 3-D map, voice guidance w/ connected weather at destination app; √ Bluetooth communications + SMS messaging; √ wired Android Auto & Apple CarPlay projection; √ USB x 4, 12V x 3.

HOW AUDIBLY: √ 23 speaker, w/ Kevlar cones, 1700 Watt, 19 channel DSP 7.1 DTS Bang & Olufsen 3-D streaming audiophile audio

• Overall tone is emits a brighter than in the previous Lexicon system. Imaging is improved owing to the Acoustic Lens telescoping front tweeters and low frequency drivers integrated into each of the outboard seating positions.
• Active noise cancellation

HOW "APP" -LICABLE: Genesis Connected Services (3 years included): √ Digital Key 2 phone app; √ Remote parking extraction, insertion; √ Calendar Sync; √ Google Assitant capable; √ OTA updates; √ "Last Mile" pedestrian walking destinations from between 0.1 and 1.2 miles distance

• By Subscription: √ Sirius XM (90 days included); √ Wi-Fi hot spot (by Verizon Wireless)

HOW MUCH: $100,370 M.S.R.P. = as tested 2023 Genesis G90 3.5T e-SC AWD

WHAT'S MISSING: Better front seat torso support; Hands free closed access highway driving; wireless Android Auto/ Apple Car Play

ANY COMPETITION:  BMW 740L: +1 road handling & available PHEV; Lexus LS 500h: +1 Level 2.0 ADAS, available hybrid ; Mercedes-Benz S430; +1 Level 2.5 ADAS, personalized UI; available PHEV