The 2020 Genesis G90 takes on some of the world’s best cars—the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series, and Audi A8 among them—but does it at a lower price and without as much technological wizardry.
It earns a 7.0 on our overall scale for its serene interior and ride. Other full-sizers do better, but also cost magnitudes more. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
A 2020 update for the G90 gives it new body panels aside for the roof and doors, and a new polished silver shield of a grille that stands out like a knight charging a foe. That mesh grille, along with matrix-style optional 19-inch wheels, stand out as “look at me” elements of an otherwise understated large luxury car.
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The look is updated inside as well, where the ambience embraces premium materials and a new dash design emphasizes horizontal lines. Chrome plating is applied to the switches, leather swathes the center console as well as the seats, double stitching and piping decorate that leather, and open-pore wood accents the high-end look. Interior technology is also updated.
What doesn’t change are the two powertrains that define its trim levels. The 3.3T features a turbocharged 3.3-liter V-6 that makes 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. The 5.0 is motivated by a 5.0-liter V-8 that produces 420 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. Like the 2019 model, there isn’t much of a power difference between the engines, but the V-8 simply sounds better.
Buyers will pay extra for that sound, both at the dealer and at the pump. The V-8 is EPA-rated at 19 mpg combined with rear-drive and 18 mpg with all-wheel drive, while the V-6 gets identical 20 mpg combined ratings with rear- or all-wheel drive.
Active noise cancellation and Genesis’ adaptive electronic dampers conspire to create a pleasant ride, and the big Genesis sedan still delivers big-car comfort for four, including a 22-way driver seat, heated and cooled outboard rear seats, and wireless smartphone charging.
The 2020 Genesis G90 comes standard with a wide range of active-safety features, including forward-collision warnings with automatic emergency braking that can detect bicycles, rear cross-traffic alerts with automatic braking, active lane control that can keep the car centered in its lane when following another car or driving on the highway, and a system to warn occupants not to exit the vehicle when an object is approaching too closely. The 2020 G90 was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick+.
The G90’s central 12.3-inch infotainment screen now incorporates touch controls and offers split screens with copper-colored highlights. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility carry over. Genesis gives owners a lovely perk in its 5-year/60,000-mile warranty, and comes standard three years or 36,000 miles of concierge service; they’ll pick up and drop off the car after routine service.
