Genesis G90 (RS4)

When the Genesis luxury brand from Hyundai Motor Group was launched in 2015, the EQ900 was the maiden vehicle of their newly established luxury brand until it was replaced by the G90 in 2018. Nearly a decade has passed and the Genesis brand is becoming the rising star that competes against the German top dogs. Now, the Genesis luxury car that started it all is redefined for this decade as the G90 enters its second generation.

2023 Genesis G90

2023 Genesis G90

Priced at 91,000,000 Korean Won plus additional costs, the all-new Genesis G90 is a bold new take on the first car of the Genesis brand that promises to pick up where its predecessor left off and looks like it's on a bold jumpstart. With its new platform, new design, new technology, and new performance, the all-new G90 rewrites the rules of what Korean luxury cars are made for and looks like it has the whole world on notice.

Beginning with the design, the all-new G90 looks slimmer and sharper compared to its predecessor, which is a great thing until the rearview slightly spoils the athletic looks of this new model. Like today's Genesis models, the all-new G90 incorporates signature Genesis elements such as the front face heavily inspired by the Genesis logo. Although it's controversially massive for a luxury car a la BMW 7-Series, it still boasts some swagger while driving at Gangnam like a true professional.

2023 Genesis G90 interior

Inside, the all-new G90 delivers what to expect on a high-end luxury premium sedan made in Korea. On the driver's side, you will be greeted by its next-generation infotainment system provided by its massive panel with two screens; one for the instrumental cluster and the other for its infotainment system that can be controlled via a knob rather than a touchscreen. Below, there are climate control switches for when you want to adjust its room temperature, be it hot or cool. Lastly, the rear seat armrest storage box features a UV sterilization function which kills 99.9% of germs within 10 minutes. Believe it or not, the new model comes with a fingerprint authentication system similar to the new Toyota Land Cruiser, not to mention the Digital Key 2 service which allows users to get inside without the help of a car key as long as the smartphone is equipped with it is nearby.

2023 Genesis G90

Being a chauffeur-driven machine made to cater to the elite, the rear space is where the G90 shines and because it never runs short on concessions of comfort, not to mention the added legroom for the Long Wheelbase variant, you'll find that the new model is so much more comfortable than its predecessor, giving you the "out on a limo" feeling you might brag about to almost everyone.

Unlike the previous model, the all-new G90 is offered only with the turbocharged 3.5L engine that produces 380PS of power and 54kgf-m of torque while mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox operated via an Electronic Shift Dial. The LWB variant features a 48V electric supercharger bolted to the said engine but more with that later on.

Because it now runs on a new platform, the all-new G90 feels more dramatic and classier to drive compared to its predecessor, even when you set it to Sport Mode for its agile style approach. Combined with its Active RWS, multi-chamber air suspension, and optional AWD system, you have yourself a luxury premium sedan capable of handling all kinds of road situations. As for the Brake Mode, there's one mode that will have you noticed and that's Chauffeur Mode. Set it and it delivers a more comfortable braking feel without spilling someone else's soda while on a relaxing trip to Tagaytay.

In tune with the times, the all-new G90 boasts a wide array of safety tech such as the Direct Grip Detection System, Highway Driving Assist 2, navigation-based smart cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, rear-side collision avoidance assist, rearview monitor, Lane Departure Prevention Assist, Lane Mantinenance Assistance, intelligent headlamp, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, reverse guide lamp, Remote Smart Parking Assist, surround-view monitor, safe exit assist, parking collision prevention assist, and 10 airbags.

The all-new G90 is now prepared to continue the Genesis legacy that started nearly a decade ago with its new and interesting ways to impress connoisseurs and sommeliers of the motoring world with its design, performance, and technology. This is the tour de force the Koreans have unleashed on the world stage and looks like this new model is on a roll.

Available colors: Uyuni White, Seville Silver, Makalu Gray, Vik Black, Maui Black, Hallasan Green, Capri Blue, Tasman Blue, Valencia Gold, Bariloche Brown, Verbier White (Matte), and Makalu Gray (Matte).

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Genesis G90

When the Genesis luxury brand from Hyundai Motor Group was launched in 2015, Korea's answer to Toyota's Lexus showed that it has separated the men from the boys when it comes to luxury cars. The EQ900 flagship saloon was their first following followed by the G80 executive sedan and their small offering, the G70. As Genesis moves on to its next chapter, the EQ900's story has finished and a new flagship has risen.

2019 Genesis G90

2019 Genesis G90

The first Genesis car was redefined. Welcome to Genesis's brand-new flagship sedan, the G90. As the replacement to the EQ900, the G90 continues where the outgoing model left with its unbiased scale of luxury while incorporating the new Genesis look that will soon be adorned to future models. It really is their next verse in the book of Genesis.

Up front, the G90 is the first to incorporate the new Essentia-styled nose, which will serve as the new design language for Genesis. Like it or leave it, the new face is distinctively Genesis unless you wanted to look further because the Essentia-inspired grille reminds us of the Eunos saloons of the 90s while the headlamps look like it came from the Volvo S90, one of the G90 chief foes. The side remains the same as the EQ900 it replaces but the wheels spoiled the flagship's design and on the rear, would you look at that? It looks like it came from the Lincoln Continental. Questionable design aside, the G90 is too impossible to ignore because a lot of people are going to talk about this car post-launch, and with such conversations, Genesis's new flagship is onto something here.

2019 Genesis G90 interior

2019 Genesis G90 interior

The inside of the G90 remains the same as the outgoing EQ900, meaning that it still has that out-on-a-limo feeling every time you step out of it, although you will notice some changes to the central air vents flanking the analog clock and some new upholstery and trim choices. Because the interior of the G90 is almost the same as the EQ900 it replaces, the rear side really shows how much of a Genesis this flagship is while being on the hot seat and letting your driver understand how it moves.

2019 Genesis G90

Under the driver's seat, the G90 behaves the same as the EQ900 it replaces and the engine choices remained the same as last time, ranging from V6 3.3-liter T-GDI (370PS); V6 3.8-liter GDI (315PS); or V8 5.0-liter GDI (425PS), all mated with an 8-speed automatic with lock-up torque converter. The G90 can be offered in rear-wheel drive or HTRAC all-wheel drive system, which electronically controls torque split between the axles depending on which driving conditions the driver is on, providing a well-stabled ride on slippery conditions and allows the driver to select different driving modes.

While the G90 offers a wide array of safety features fit for the journey home from a posh lunch at Isdaan to the trip back to the mansion in Muntinlupa City, the most notable features include Surround View Monitor, Reverse Guide Lamp, and Rear Cross Collision Warning/Rear Cross Collision Prevention Assistance.

The G90 starts at 77 million Won up to 120 million Won, which is still the most expensive Korean-made car in history and it's still less expensive than the BMW 7-Series. So, the G90 may be more like the EQ900 it replaces but it's a fresh start for Genesis as the Korean luxury brand from the Hyundai Motor Group continues to reinvent its recipe for success that earned them awards and accolades during its three-year existence. With the G90, fans of the Genesis brand will be prepared for what's next ahead.

Available colors: Marble White, Platinum Silver, Grace Blue Ray, Carbon Metal, Amber Brown, Royal Blue, Titanium Black, Porto Red, and Gold Coast Silver.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company