What We’re Driving: 2020 Genesis G90 Ultimate

The $78,000 G90 Ultimate is a genuine alternative to an Audi A8 and BMW 7-Series.

August 19, 2020

Lindsay Brooke

As the Genesis flagship, the G90 mixes abject creature comfort with a comprehensive electronics and technical-features portfolio. (Genesis)

“That car’s got stature!” exclaimed a neighbor of mine, as I was parking the G90. “Nice to see somebody still making big sedans. So, Genesis – that’s Hyundai, right?” Yes. The luxo flagship formerly known as Equus now gallops under the premium Genesis brand.

Genesis G90 cabin has carefully fitted trim and premium-appearing bill of materials. (Genesis)

Befitting its status as a line-topping sedan, the 2020 G90’s rear-seat area is specifically fitted for maximum comfort. (Genesis)

The G90 as originally launched lacked distinctiveness, so the designers in Namyang revamped the big steed’s exterior. Its grill is now more enormous than the Lexus LS’s, with a quartet of LED headlamps bisected by secondary LED strips. The car’s overall stance (on 19-inch wheels) is, to my eye, more elegant without looking like it was derived from a previous-gen German sedan.

My tester, in “Ultimate” trim, packed Hyundai’s naturally-aspirated 5.0-L V8, home-grown A8R50 8-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive, though AWD is optional. The powertrain is virtually inaudible and so smooth it’s invisible, other than at start-up. Road-noise isolation is excellent. The G90’s driver’s seat is sophisticated indeed, offering 22 settings based on the driver’s inseam, height and weight as uploaded through the car’s flatscreen display.

But as befitting a limo, the G90’s rear cabin area – with 14-way adjustable right seat and 12-way on the left – are where the G90’s ultimate comfort resides. With a center console to please fussy CEOs and more legroom than even my 37-inch inseam requires, I felt more comfortable and cosseted being driven in the G90 5.0 as I did in driving it. The $78,000 G90 Ultimate is a genuine alternative to an A8 and 7-Series. Just don’t expect everyone to know what it is.