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
2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe
Genesis GV80 SUV Upstaged By Stylish New Sidekick
These days if you don’t have a coupe version of your luxury SUV, you’re not trying hard enough. And that’s something that Hyundai and their luxury division Genesis could never be accused of. So, let’s go for a spin in the latest oh so stylish GV utility from Genesis.
The 2025 model year brings an updated midsize Genesis GV80 utility, which we recently put to the test. It also brings this sloped roof Coupe cousin along with it, which adds much more than just some athletic proportions to the luxury crossover party.
But, let’s start with the GV80’s already gorgeous styling, which received a new 2-line crest grille and updated lighting for ’25. Naturally this Coupe has a more severely sloped roofline that leads to a hatchback-like tail with an integrated kick-up spoiler.
Adding the final bit of garnish are 20 and 22-inch wheel options that are not available on the standard SUV. It looks fantastic overall; sportier, but still very luxurious, fitting right in with the Bentley’s and Benz’s at the valet line of whatever latest “it” restaurant or hotel you drive up to.
Even more appealing to us is what’s under the GV80 Coupe’s long hood, a new optional twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 with an e-Supercharger.
This 48-volt power booster is in place to fill in any gaps in power delivery from the turbos as well as feed in a little additional boost, increasing the standard V6 output from 375-horsepower and 391 lb-ft. of torque to 409-horsepower and 405 lb-ft. E-supercharged models come with black painted brake calipers and quad exhaust tips. Power is distributed through an 8-speed automatic transmission to standard all-wheel-drive.
While it mostly shares the GV80’s updated interior, there are a few exclusive details that come with the Coupe. The Nappa leather seats get a unique stitching pattern, and just to emphasis the sporty mission, there’s available carbon-fiber trim to replace the usual wood appliques, a 2-tone flat-bottom steering wheel, and added metal accents on the pedals. Cargo capacity does take a hit, falling nearly 20% from 36.5 to 30.3 cubic-ft., expanding to 62.1 with the rear seatbacks down.
Understeer was minor and well-controllable, allowing us to keep up a good pace through the cones.
To go along with the sportier details and boost in power, GV80 Coupes with the e-supercharger also get an added Sport+ drive mode that dials back stability control intrusion, provides a more aggressive transmission tune, and tightens up steering. Through the handling course at our Mason Dixon Dragway proving grounds, the GV80 Coupe did still exhibit a lot of body roll, but understeer was minor and well-controllable, allowing us to keep up a good pace through the cones.
Checking out that new powertrain was next on the list, and we could indeed feel a little something extra off the line, but then just as quickly, it settled down and we reached 60 in the exact same 5.6-seconds we achieved in the 3.5 twin-turbo GV80 SUV without the e-supercharger.
There was no drop off in power throughout the ¼-mile run however, and shifts were quick but still very smooth. All in all, it was a swift and luxurious 14.2-second trip to the end of the track, at which point we were travelling 100 miles-per-hour and the GV80 Coupe felt like it was just getting started.
In braking runs, that soft suspension did lend itself to some significant nosedive, but there was a surprising amount of feedback through the vehicle, and stops from 60 were stable and steady, averaging a very short 98-feet.
Government Fuel Economy Ratings are slightly improved compared to the GV80 SUV’s V6 at 18-City, 22-Highway, and 20-Combined. But that’s still a slightly below average Energy Impact Score; consuming 14.9-barrels of oil yearly while emitting 7.5-tons of CO2.
Pricing starts at $81,300, which is only $150 more than the top GV80 SUV, opting for the e-supercharged turbo-6, which for now is exclusive to the Coupe, takes it to $87,100.
Genesis continues to stake their claim in the luxury vehicle landscape. Coupe-style SUVs may have limited practicality compared to the SUVs they’re based on, but for better or worse, they’ve not only become an important part of almost all luxury carmaker’s portfolios but are quickly becoming the status symbols of their brands. The Genesis GV80 Coupe is well equipped to be just that for Genesis.
Specifications
As Tested
- Engine: 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 409
- Torque: 405 lb-ft.
- EPA: 18 City | 22 Highway | 20 Combined
- 0-60 mph: 5.6 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 14.2 seconds at 100 mph
- Braking, 60-0 (avg.): 98 feet
- MW Fuel Economy: 22.9 MPG (Premium)