Overview
If you’re shopping for a large, comfy luxury sedan you could drop big money on an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes-Benz. Or, you could pay a smaller sum for the 2022 Genesis G90 and put the savings back into your favorite hedge fund. With a spacious, richly-lined cabin, the G90 cossets with the best of them and its silky-smooth V-6 and V-8 powertrains both deliver plenty of punch. Perhaps the only trade off with the G90 is its somewhat dated infotainment tech, which lags behind the more modern offerings in the German saloons. Driver-assistance features are plentiful and standard, though, and the G90’s stately appearance makes it look every bit the part it’s meant to play.
What’s New for 2022?
The G90 sedan carries over to 2022 with no significant changes, but a major redesign is on the way for 2023.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Normally we love a big V-8 in a luxury car, but in this case we’d stick with the twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V-6 and save the money. The 3.3T, as it’s known, is gutsy and nearly as quick as the 5.0-liter V-8. All-wheel drive is optional should you need it, but it adds $2500 to the bottom line.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The base turbocharged 3.3-liter V-6 setup with 365 horsepower is an overachiever, matching the acceleration of the 420-hp 5.0-liter V-8 from zero to 60 mph in our testing. Both powertrains pair with a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission and offer either rear- or all-wheel drive. We don’t see any reason to pay extra for the less efficient V-8, unless you prefer its more relaxed, old-school character and distinctive sound. Although the G90 doesn’t accelerate as rapidly as its competitors, neither the V-6 nor the V-8 engine will leave you wanting more power. Quietness and cushiness reign supreme, and the Genesis can feel a bit sloppy as you push the pace through a road’s curvy bits. Its soft and pillowy ride evokes thoughts of Buicks from the 1970s, but not necessarily in a bad way. It smooths out rough roads and imparts a serene, planted feel on the highway. The trade-off is a fair amount of body roll in corners, but precise and light steering keeps the heavy G90 from feeling like a total boat. Its brake pedal is not as firm as we’d prefer, but it’s not overly mushy, either.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Some of today’s modern luxury barges achieve impressive efficiency, but the G90’s fuel-economy numbers are average. The optional V-8 is especially thirsty, but in our testing the V-6 overachieved its EPA numbers. We saw 27 mpg on our 200-mile test route; that’s 10 percent better than its EPA highway number, but it falls well short of the real-world highway fuel efficiency demonstrated by the Cadillac CT6 and the BMW 7-series. For more information about the G90’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Trimmed in nappa leather, suede, wood, and brushed metal, the G90’s interior has a rich feel, even if its design is understated. Genesis embarrasses higher-priced competitors by making features such as heated and cooled front seats, a head-up display, and a power-operated rear sunshade standard equipment rather than costly options. As befits a full-size luxury sedan, the G90’s plush rear seat is a lovely place. There’s plenty of room to stretch out, despite what its dimensions may suggest. Neither the Genesis nor any of its competitors offer folding rear seats, so the capacious trunk is all the cargo space you’re going to get. There is a pass-through behind the rear center armrest for carrying long, narrow items such as skis. Its center console is among the largest in its class, but its door pockets are small. A handy compartment in front of the shifter is nicely sized for holding a smartphone.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The standard 12.3-inch touchscreen is crisp and clear, and its central control knob combines with hard buttons and knobs on the dashboard to make navigating the various menus a cinch. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are both standard, as is a wireless smartphone charging pad and a 17-speaker Lexicon stereo system.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Every version comes standard with lots of driver-assistance technology. Competitors from Mercedes-Benz and BMW require you to pay thousands of dollars extra to get these features. For more information about the G90’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Not only does Genesis provide the longest warranty coverage in its class, it also includes complimentary scheduled maintenance and other perks such as a complimentary service where dealership staff will pick up the G90 and take it in for service on your behalf.
- Limited warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles