2021 Genesis G90

The G90 is available in 2 trim levels, and both are available in RWD and AWD configuration. The base trim is the Premium, which starts at a price tag of $72,950. It comes with a 3.3 L V6 engine under the hood while mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Ultimate is the top-tier trim for the 2021 Genesis G90 and is priced at $76,700. Most importantly, it gets a 5.0L V8 engine as standard. The complete distribution of features across the two trims is given in the table below.

Which Trim should you buy?

Both the trims are available at a very affordable price compared to the G90’s rivals. Out of the two, the Ultimate trim is the most desirable. Not only does it have the more powerful V8 engine, but it also adds a few more features at an insignificant price bump. A fully loaded Ultimate trim with the AWD drivetrain would still cost lesser than a base 2021 BMW 7 Series, thus coming out to be the best possible option when competing with the rivals in the segment.

As impressive as the 2021 Genesis G90 is overall, its fuel economy is subpar. It manages to return 17 MPG in the cities and 24 MPG on the highways, which gives it a combined mileage of 19 MPG. These figures are for the 3.3L Twin Turbo V6 engine featured in the Premium trim. The Ultimate trim with the 5.0L V8 provides slightly worse fuel economy in the cities, which is 16 MPG. Otherwise, the numbers remain the same. All other cars in this segment perform better than the G90 in terms of fuel economy. 

The G90 also has the least overall range in the competition, while the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has a class-leading range with a fuel tank capacity of 22.1 gallons. This helps it attain an impressive range of 532.8 miles combined. Only the 7 Series manages to beat its range in the cities because of its frugal efficiency. The 7 Series and the S-Class are the best performers in the fuel economy department, while the Genesis disappoints. 

The handcrafted interior of the 2021 Genesis G90 is one of the best in the business. The attention given to minute details makes the cabin experience unforgettable. It’s classy, luxurious, and of extremely high quality. It features Nappa leather upholstery with G-matrix design quilting, suede, walnut trim, and aluminum/metal/chrome accents. The dashboard has a fluidic and elegant design featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen display. Just like a luxury sedan, the G90 provides ample space in both the front and rear row of seats. 

The front seats are heated and ventilated, while the rear seats are just heated. The driver’s seat is 22-way power-adjustable while the passenger’s seat is 16-way power-adjustable. Opting for the Ultimate trim will add more comfort features to the rear seats. With it, the rear seats are ventilated with memory functions and reclining. The rear left seat is 12-way power-adjustable whereas the rear right seat is 14-way power-adjustable. As far as the interior goes, we think that the G90 outperforms each and every one of its rivals.

An aspect in which the G90 lacks is luggage space in its trunk. With a volume of 15.7 cubic feet, it is easily outperformed by the likes of the Lexus LS 500 and the BMW 7 Series. Out of the 4 cars mentioned above, the 7 Series provides the best space to store your luggage at over 18 cubic feet. The Mercedes is the only one that stays behind Genesis in practicality by offering only 12.9 cubic feet of space. Some of the standout features of the interior are:

• Nappa leather upholstery with G-matrix pattern quilting
• 22-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and 16-way power-adjustable passenger’s seat
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Ventilated, reclining seats with memory settings (Ultimate)
• 12-way power-adjustable rear left seat and 14-way power-adjustable rear right seat (Ultimate)
• Memory settings for side view mirrors, steering wheel, and head restraints
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Heads-up display
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Full simulated Suede headliner

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The infotainment system that comes standard in the 2021 G90 is a 12.3-inch touchscreen display. The screen is humongous and sits deep in the dashboard, and has excellent clarity even from the rear seats. The dashboard is also fitted with a central knob with other hard buttons and knobs to manipulate the functions. The system itself is fairly easy to use. The functions and browsing through the menus are simple, thanks to the user-friendly interface.

This system is paired with a 17-speaker Lexicon audio system. It is crisp and of high sound quality, but we feel that the German counterparts of the segment provide a better experience. Opting for the Ultimate trim will include rear-seat entertainment, which is done with the help of dual 10.3-inch HD screens. Other key infotainment features include:

• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• Navigation system with HD traffic
• AM/FM/HD radio 
• 5 12V DC power outlets
• Voice-activated Bluetooth
• Head-up display 

The 2021 Genesis G90 is a carry-forward design from its previous year. The G90 features some out-of-the-box yet extravagant and attractive exterior styling. It’s a head-turner for sure. Starting with the front fascia, the designers at Genesis couldn’t have made the grille more awkward, and yet it seems attractive with diamond-shaped design elements. There’s hardly any competitor in this segment that can match its size, ”massive” is an understatement. It also features Projector-beam adaptive automatic headlights with daytime running LED strip dashing through the middle. The Genesis logo sits on top of the grille, which has an animated effect on the hood. 

The side profile is sleek and has a personality of its own, starting with the uniquely designed 19-inch alloy wheels with metal braids which enhance the theme initiated by the grille. It has a decent ground clearance of 5.1 inches, and it also features body-colored heated auto-dimming power adjusting and folding side-view mirrors, chrome door handles, and express open/close sliding and tilting glass sunroof. The rear end of the G90 is emphasized by the ”Genesis” lettering, which makes sure that the head-turners do not mistake the winged badge for a Bentley or an out-of-the-world Chrysler. The rear end also features two-tier LED brake lights with the bottom tier connecting below the lettering, a power trunk access, and chrome-tipped dual exhaust outlets, which are shaped to complement the grille.

There is no such car that stands out in terms of exterior dimensions in this segment. All the dimensions between the four cars mentioned above are fairly close. One worthy mention would be the Lexus LS 500’s ground clearance, which is 6.6 inches, more than any of its competitors. The Lexus is also one of the best-looking ones in this segment. The BMW 7 Series is by far the lightest vehicle weighing 4,244 pounds, while all others are similarly heavy. Some of the highlights of the exterior are:

• 19-inch chrome alloy wheels
• LED daytime running lights
• LED brake lights
• Automatic adaptive projector-beam headlamps
• Body-colored auto-dimming power adjusting, tilting, and folding heated side-view mirrors
• Power open/close rear trunk access
• Approach lights
• Express open/close sliding and tilting glass power sunroof

Besides being luxurious and posh, the 2021 Genesis G90 is also an extremely safe car. The NHTSA hasn’t tested the G90 yet but IIHS has. They have graced the G90 with their “Top Safety Pick+” award. It has been rated with the highest possible score of “Good” for its standard headlights, “Superior” for front crash prevention, and “Good” for most of the crash tests held. Both the trims are loaded with standard safety and driver-assist features. Some of the standout one include:

• Electronic stability control
• ABS with Driveline traction control
• Blind-spot monitoring system
• Forward collision alert system
• 360-degree camera system
• Front and rear sensors
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure warning with lane keep assist
• Head-up display
• Genesis Connected Services Emergency SOS

2021 Genesis G90 vs 2021 BMW 7 Series

BMW is one of the German giants, and its flagship sedan the 7 Series, is one of the most sought-after luxury sedans in the market. The 7 Series is the most fuel-efficient car in the segment. It is as loaded as the G90, but it simply can’t match the posh interior of the G90. One important aspect in which the G90 takes the lead is the price tag. The 7 Series costs almost $14,000 more than the G90 which might be the dealbreaker for many buyers. However, the G90 falls short in just one sector which is brand recognition. 

2021 Genesis G90 vs 2021 Lexus LS 500

The 2021 Lexus LS 500 is quite a looker itself. The Japanese manufacturer’s flagship sedan is priced very close to that of the G90. It is similar to the G90 in many terms. It is powered by a 3.5L Twin Turbo V6 just like the 3.3L of the G90, but the Lexus is the most powerful car in the segment. Not just that, it is also the quickest. Opting for the Lexus would give you bigger cargo space, better fuel economy, and more comfort features than the G90. It’s a tough choice between the two, but we would rather go for the Lexus. 

2021 Genesis G90 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is by far the most expensive luxury sedan. It is a whopping $36,000 more expensive than the G90. This is simply because of the stature that the brand “Mercedes-Benz” holds. At the price point, the G90 seems much more practical than the S-class. To go for the more affordable and practical buy over the brand valued S-Class would be a wise decision.

In simple words, yes, you should definitely buy the 2021 Genesis G90. Not only is it the most affordable car in the segment but also the most luxurious from the inside. It has some extravagant and edgy exterior styling which helps it stand out from the crowd. It goes up against some of the most renowned luxury sedans in the segment and manages to surpass their excellence in style. A car that is loaded with amenities and safety features, the Genesis G90 is an impressive set of wheels.