Road test | Genesis G90: high aspirations

Genesis is arguably one of the most intriguing luxury builders around. With a very competent range that is gradually electrifying, the brand of Hyundai, barely seven years old, is seeing more and more spotlights shining on it. The second-generation G90 large sedan is careful to internationalize its idea of ​​Korean-style glitz that the brand wants to employ as its flagship. We are not chasing sales here, but looks.

Design

In an arena dominated by the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, this G90 leaves with a flagrant lack of notoriety. This second opus nevertheless gives a serious stylistic boost. Spanning the same length as a Ford Expedition (5.3m), the large sedan cultivates undeniable panache. The visual identity is reinforced by headlights with superimposed lines which seem to be interrupted only by the wheel arch to extend on the side. Genesis also employs a front hood incorporating the fenders to reduce the amount of gaps. The large inverted ridge pentagonal grille is otherwise properly proportioned and the liftback roofline matches the boot lid well. The rear diodes pierce the darkness with long horizontal filiform lines blending with oblique lights. It’s very elegant.

On board

From its very first outings, Genesis made it a point of honor to stand out with its warm and skilfully crafted interiors. Its expertise in the field reaches remarkable levels with this G90. Finely cut to renew the theme of exterior horizontality, the materials present beautiful variations of textures and the presentation rests the eye with its visual balance. The keys have a solid feel and are very ergonomic. The forged carbon fiber adds a touch of modernity without a flashy varnish. However, we would have liked more customization in the assembly. The space itself is obviously large and the massage seats are designed to accommodate many types of physique, failing to offer really soft padding. Like any self-respecting large sedan, rear passengers are pampered by the presence of infinitely adjustable seats and a touch screen controlling various functions.

Under the hood

Genesis offers only one engine in Canada to power its G90, a 3.5L V6 supercharged by two turbochargers and a 48V electric supercharger that fills the gaps at low revs. Its 409 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque may seem modest to displace 2.4 tons, but the flexibility of this mechanism is impressive for the displacement. However, it is somewhat restrained by an automatic transmission (8 gears) that seems to lag behind at times in its decisions. This V6 will never be able to compare to the supercharged V8s used elsewhere in terms of pure performance, but that is not its aim. Its smoothness goes well with the spirit of the work, but its consumption is too high, which could have been limited by the use of an electric motor as support. Never mind, there is a serenity that emanates from it.

Behind the wheel

The great lady starts up in a silence that is broken only by the short bursts of the V6. We quickly notice the presence of the directional rear wheels, giving an impression of sideways sliding that is sometimes too marked. The car fits quite well in curves for its dimensions thanks to a steering correctly dosed in its assistance as well as its all-wheel drive. But this G90 shines above all with its damping, ensured by a pneumatic system which can adjust the ground clearance automatically to overcome obstacles or negotiate with asperities. It works surprisingly well when crossing the many potholes in Quebec. The winter tires with very thin sidewalls mounted on the test vehicle, however, did not allow us to assess the ride at its best, as it seemed a little too rough for the cause.

Embedded technologies

This Genesis G90 is equipped with the latest version of the manufacturer’s infotainment system. Navigation can be done from the steering wheel as well as by a wheel fixed on the central console or on the screen itself. This last option is the least pleasant because of the distance that separates the driver from it. The system as such is among the best offered by luxury manufacturers. Well defined and fast as desired, it allows us to quickly take our ease in well-constructed menus that we select by large vertical tabs. The configuration of the various functionalities is also very intuitive, based on a 3D representation of the car on which pads are placed to select the elements. No wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, however, which is unavoidable for a vehicle of this price.

The verdict

Despite its great qualities compared to its price, this Genesis G90 will always come up against a fundamental question: is it an aspirational vehicle? Faced with competitors who have become masters of aspirational marketing in a segment fueled by the idea of ​​reaching a higher social hierarchy, the Korean still has difficulty joining the front runners. It nevertheless constitutes a creation much more complete than before. Who is going to want to shell out $115,000 for a large sedan despite everything in the current context? Probably purists of the genre, because the G90 takes us back to a probably simpler and more authentic expression of luxury not too built on technology. It’s a question of balance here and of harmony when many manufacturers, Mercedes-Benz in the lead, seem to want to turn their vehicles into giant tablets.