2017 Genesis G90
If you thought Hyundai was crazy for trying to cook up a luxury 4-door with the 2009 Genesis sedan…well… for 2017…they’re trying a recipe that seems a whole lot crazier. Hyundai has gone all in and spun off Genesis as a whole new company: Genesis Motors. And their flagship, the G90, is our first taste of the new brand. So, let’s see if it’s well done, or just half-baked…
The Genesis G90 is the successor to the full-size Hyundai Equus, and is built on the lengthened chassis of the mid-size Genesis sedan, now called G80. So, the “90” is, in automotive parlance, an “all-new flagship sedan”. And, a self-proclaimed competitor to large-car stall warts Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, and Audi A8. But, we think a more level playing field is with the Lexus LS and Cadillac CT6.
The G90 drives with a super-steady, rock solid feel. A 5 link front and rear suspension combines with electronic adaptive damping to keep things smooth on almost all roads. There was very little harshness, even on some rough pavement in the British Columbian countryside outside Vancouver. The level of isolation achieved is all you could ask for.
PATRICK LUCAS: "This is a cruiser for sure. On the highway, even on backroads like this, it is just whisper quiet, silky smooth..."
And that lends itself to truly appreciating the interior of the G90. Material quality is top notch. Seat comfort is excellent. And the overall design is clearly one of a top-drawer vehicle.
But the biggest hurdle that Genesis must overcome is separating itself from Hyundai. And seeing some carryover switchgear and buttons will remind more astute observers of the kinship. Get past that, and the G90 is every bit a luxury contender on its own.
Outside, it’s less its own thing, and more a combination of what it aspires to be. The front favors recent Audi A8s, especially the grille. While in the rear, it’s S-Class all the way. Take a step back, though, and it’s a handsome car that demands a second look.
Under the hood: a brand new standard 3.3-liter twin turbo V6 with 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. Power delivery is strong, but perhaps lacks a little maturity in feel. Same goes for the eight speed automatic.
PATRICK LUCAS: "The one area it doesn't quite match up to its German competitors, I’d say, is in the powertrain. It's not quite as refined as an Audi, a BMW, a Mercedes-Benz..."
Fuel economy rates 17 city, 24 highway, and 20 combined. That’s about on par with rival V8s. Ditto the energy impact score of 16.5 barrels of oil used, and 7.5 tons of CO2 emitted annually.
A 420 horsepower 5.0-liter V8, and all-wheel drive, are the only options for the G90.
Everything else; automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise, lane keep assist, head up display, and multi-angle backup camera are standard. That makes for an easy pricing strategy, starting at $69,050. H-TRAC all-wheel drive adds $2,500, while the V8 adds $1,600 more.
Gaining a foothold is never easy, and in a segment with ultra-high expectations and long heritages, there will be many who look at the G90 as just a dressed up Hyundai. But then, we once said that about Lexus and Toyota too.
And, the 2017 G90 is the just beginning for Genesis. And, it is indeed a strong first step towards a time when Genesis Motors and “world class luxury” may be one and the same.
Specifications
- Engine: 3.3 liter V6 / 5.0 liter V8
- Horsepower: 365 / 420
- Torque: 376 lb-ft.
- EPA: 17 mpg city / 24 mpg highway
- Energy Impact: 16.5 barrels of oil/yr
- CO2 Emissions: 7.5 tons/yr
2024 BMW iX M60
Still Quirky, But A Whole Lot Faster!
While many BMW EVs are virtually identical to their ICE counterparts, when it comes to their iX utility vehicle, well, that’s its own unique animal, especially when it comes to this 610-horsepower M60. And now we get a chance to see if we can tame it.
High-performance SUVs are nothing new to BMW, so when their all-electric iX utility debuted for 2022, it didn’t take long for them to inject a little M performance into it. And while we did get some early seat time in the iX M60, this 2024 version is the first time we’ve been able to give it a complete test.
A refresher on the details, the M60 uses a dual motor arrangement; the front motor putting out 255 horsepower, the rear motor almost twice as much. Combined, they whip up 610 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque, which we couldn’t wait to exploit at our test track.
xBMW’s electric motors are built in-house, and are unique from most as they use electric pulses to trigger the rotors instead of magnets. This comes into play most obviously in the rear motor where its immediate power delivery somehow seems even more immediate than most. Absolutely zero drop-off in power throughout the quarter-mile, with our best time an 11.7 at 119 mph.
While handling is BMW’s forte regardless of powertrain or vehicle segment, we could feel a little more weight transfer here in the M60, compared to the xDrive50. That’s despite the four-corner air suspension with automatic level control getting some M-spec tuning.
We really had to keep inputs smooth to avoid a full shutdown from the stability system; there was also noticeable lag time between when we initiated turn-ins and when those commands were actually carried out. All of this made more difficult by the iX’s goofy-shaped steering wheel and front seats that feel more like a recliners than sport seats. Brakes felt mostly the same as in the xDrive50: Very little nose dive, good feedback, and consistent drama-free stops from 60 in just 102 feet.
On the street, it feels incredibly fast, bordering on outrageously quick.
So, while it’s still a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to driving on the track, on the street, it feels incredibly fast, bordering on outrageously quick. Meaning you better be prepared for the fury that’s about to be unleashed if you go full in on the accelerator.
And even with all of the performance, and using the same 111.5-kWh battery, the M60 still delivers great range of 296 miles, just 11 fewer than xDrive50. Max charging rate of 250 kW will get you to 80% in 35 minutes.
Whether it’s that steering wheel, the minimal dash with the sweeping digital cockpit display, the center console’s wood and glass controls, heating elements in the armrests, gesture control, or the Panoramic Sky Lounge LED sunroof that frosts over at the touch of a button, it’s all kind of a “far out” experience in the cabin. But also, a very roomy one with almost an open floor plan up front, and lots of space and features for rear seat passengers. Capacity in the cargo area is 35.5 cubic-feet; folding seatbacks can expand the space to 77.9 cubic-feet.
Similar in size to the X5, the iX is built on a unique spaceframe architecture made up of a combination of carbon-fiber, high-strength steel and aluminum, an evolution of what they started back in 2014 with the i3, their first EV. Unique elements for the M60 include blue brake calipers, adaptive LED laserlight headlights, and 21-inch wheels which can be upgraded to these 22-inch M two-tone alloys. It’s not the most beautiful BMW we’ve seen lately, but it sure is unique, and everyone will know it’s not your typical BMW.
Using 42 kWh of energy per 100 miles, the M60 earns a fair efficiency rating. Considering base pricing for the xDrive50 starts at $88,095, the step up to the M60 is a significant one at $112,495.
Admittedly, we weren’t completely enamored with the original iX; great EV, it was just a little too much off-brand for us. It still has its quirks; but after injecting a whole lot more BMW into this 2024 BMW iX M60, now that seems much more like it!
Specifications
As Tested
- Motor Setup: Dual Motor
- Battery Size: 111.5-kWh
- Horsepower: 610
- Torque: 811 lb-ft.
- EV Range: up to 296 miles
- 0-60 mph: 3.5 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 11.7 seconds at 119 mph
- Braking, 60-0 (avg): 102 feet
- Max Charging Rate: 250-kW
- Efficiency: 42-kWh / 100 miles