2023 Genesis G90: Elegant and Opulent

Genesis’ flagship sedan is all-new for 2023 and we recently had the opportunity to spend some time behind the wheel, so here are our first impressions of the 2023 Genesis G90.

For starters, the company chose to offer a single trim level called Prestige that has all the features and amenities you want. There are eight body colours to choose from along with three interior themes (black, beige/burgundy and brown/black).

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Interestingly, the first 50 customers will get the Ultimate Package which is exclusive to Canada. It comes with winter tires on 20-inch wheels, special body and trim warranties, plus free tire storage for five years. As of today, 44 people across the country have already ordered a new G90.  

By the way, the car starts at $115,000 including freight and PDI. Matte paint options require a premium of $1,700, but the aforementioned package comes at no extra cost. Remarkably, Genesis says it can build and deliver units with no delays.

Smooth And Comfortable

We drove the 2023 Genesis G90 hundreds of kilometres and particularly appreciated the smoothness of the twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6. The engine is part of a mild hybrid setup, with a 48V battery charged through regenerative braking. That’s great, but the components are mounted in the trunk leaving no room for a spare tire.

The 409 horsepower can be accessed at 5,800 rpm, while the 405 pound-feet of torque come in between 1,300-4,500 rpm. The V6 supercharges compressed air to reach maximum torque performance faster than other 3.5 turbo engines.

Acceleration and passing manoeuvres are brisk, aided by a quick-shifting eight-speed transmission. On the other hand, throttle response is really slow. Drivers can alternate between Eco, Normal and Sport modes.

The brakes use four-piston callipers and 360mm discs up front as well as single-piston callipers in the rear for powerful and linear stops. Our tester rode on 21-inch wheels with Michelin Primacy Tour A/S tires. Despite their large size, the G90 proved very comfortable at all times.

As you can imagine, the long 3,175mm wheelbase and air suspension combine for a magnificently smooth ride. Damping can be adjusted via a control next to the steering wheel. The driver’s seat and front passenger’s seat offer 18- and 16-way power adjustment, respectively, the latter missing adjustable thigh support which is strange. Both are heated and ventilated with a massage function on top of that.

What’s more, the car features four-wheel steering which allows the rear wheels to turn up to four degrees in the opposite direction of the front wheels to cut the turning circle to 11.3 metres. Depending on the route, we achieved combined fuel consumption of 8.8-10.8 L/100 km.

Tech-Laden Interior

Facing the driver is a 12.3-inch configurable digital instrument cluster that includes a practical blind spot monitor, as well as a head-up display. Over to the centre stack, the 12.3-inch infotainment screen proves fairly easy to use despite having many different menus.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are obviously part of the mix, and so is an excellent 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system totalling 1,400 watts of power. In addition to the touchscreen and buttons on the steering wheel, designers have incorporated redundant controls on the centre console for drivers who prefer a more traditional experience.

Our one-day drive allowed us to test the new G90’s Mood Curator. This function enables integrated control of features like mood lamps, the sound system, the fragrance system, massage seats and rear electric curtains, lifting passengers’ moods. The car offers four different mood modes—Vitality, Delight, Care and Comfort—each of which can be customized for a high level of personalization.

It’s really amazing what it can do to help you relax and change your mind while driving. Too bad the pre-recorded sound clips stop after nine minutes. Oh, and the two cartridges supposed to disperse pleasing scents throughout the car’s interior were empty during the event. When that happens to G90 drivers, Genesis will provide replacement cartridges at no cost.

Other creature comforts inside the cabin include power-closing front doors and a panoramic sunroof. Naturally, you’ll find a plethora of advanced safety and driver assistance features, too. Over-the-air updates are available to keep the systems fresh.

One complaint we have to make is the voice-control feature that rarely seemed to understand what we were asking. As for semi-autonomous driving, Genesis’ Highway Driving Assist operates generally well, although acceleration and braking can be rather abrupt at times.

What About the Rear Passengers?

The 2023 Genesis G90 cares deeply about its rear passengers, too, you know. An eight-inch touchscreen in the centre armrest in the second row allows them to set climate control modes, seat position, massage settings, curtain position and adjust the lighting. The left and right seats can be reclined separately, and there’s even a button for sliding the front passenger’s seat forward to enjoy more legroom. How about that?

There’s a wireless charging pad for smartphones, a UV light-sterilized armrest box and of course some of the finest materials you can find, tastefully finished and arranged with great build quality.

One last thing: the G90 has a new “Chauffeur” mode that essentially softens the rear suspension to increase passenger comfort in the back. At least that’s the theory. In reality, we barely noticed a difference in ride quality.  

Our Verdict

The 2023 Genesis G90 makes a pretty convincing case as the automaker’s flagship car. It’s more accomplished than its predecessor thanks to many sophisticated technologies, pleasant driving dynamics and state-of-the-art design. While it lacks the prestige of an Audi A8, BMW 7 Series or Mercedes-Benz S-Class, it positively stands out from those rivals and manages to forge its own unique identity.

Watch: 2022 Genesis G70 3.3T Sport Review