GENESIS G90 3.3T PREMIUM

The flagship of the luxury Genesis brand, the 2020 Genesis G90 3.3T has recently undergone a mid-cycle refresh that yields what could be considered a new car. Napleton.news recently had a chance to spend some time cruising around the craggy roads in Cape Cod and near the immaculately coiffed streets in Palm Beach, Florida, to find what all the excitement is about.

After spending some time with the G90, we can say we’re excited, too!

WHAT IS THE GENESIS G90 3.3T?

Large and in-charge, the new 2020 Genesis G90 3.3T is a large-category sedan that feels quite luxurious inside. Recently restyled during its mid-cycle refresh, Genesis took a different path from what other automakers do. Instead of a slight change to the grille or the addition of several wheel options, Genesis performed an outright redesign that changed every body panel with the exception of the roof and the doors.

What they have now is a luxury five-passenger sedan with thrones for front seats and copious amounts of rear legroom that makes it feel like your driver is sitting ahead of you, in the next county. Available with a choice of V6 or V8 engines, our premium model included a 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that also finds its way into the engine bay of its corporate cousin, the Kia Stinger GT.

Producing 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque, it’s a beast in its own right. But for those who size matters, there’s always the G90 Ultimate model with its 420 horsepower naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine that puts out 383 lb-ft of torque. As an aside, both engines are mated to a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic automated manual shifting.

The Genesis G90, which competes with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and the BMW 7 Series, is available in Premium (V6) and Ultimate (V8) trim levels. A buyer’s only option is in choosing rear- or all-wheel-drive. Each G90 includes all the opulence, build quality and premium accoutrements you would find in its competitors, just at a more agreeable price tag. And we mustn’t forget the 5-year / 60,000-mile comprehensive or 10-year / 100,000-mile powertrain warranties that come with every Genesis.

HOW DOES IT LOOK?

Massively impressive, the new Genesis G90 has been redesigned with a new bolder G-Matrix grille that serves as a starting point is a cross between a steam locomotive’s cow-catcher and a large chromed shield like you would find in a superhero movie. New LED lighting is displayed in multi-faceted housings.

The body runs long and low, with extended front flanks that are not for the timid. Side vents add interest to the long slab-like doors, which feature just enough chrome to hold a viewer’s gaze. Too much would cause some viewers to avert their eyes.

WHAT ABOUT INSIDE?

The interior of the Genesis G90 3.3T is an exercise in taste and solitude. Using top-grade leather, knurled metal knobs and open-pore wood throughout, it reeks of the current state of the art in Luxo-barge interior design. It is one of the quietest rides on the road, thanks to the use of double-paned glass, which helps to keep exterior road noise at bay.

The seating in the Genesis is another thing altogether! The driver sits in a 22-way adjustable seat, while the front passenger and two outboard seats are complete with heating and ventilation throughout. Power window shades keep prying eyes out, and the front passenger’s seat can motor forward, leaving enough legroom for a Durant or a King James to stretch out fully.

DRIVING THE GENESIS G90 3.3T

Getting behind the wheel of the new Genesis G90 is an experience that, unfortunately, only a few will ever really experience. The seat is pulled back to make your entry easier. The soft-touch doors do their part to cinch themselves shut with the lightest of effort. The seats engulf you with just the right amount of bolstering to keep you in place, should you decide to really exercise this beast, and we mean that in only the most endearing way.

IT’S BIG, but…

It’s big, but the truth is the 3.3T engine is absolutely up to the task. Acceleration comes on in torrents, thanks to the twin-turbochargers huffing up under the grand hood. The eight-speed automatic transmission was busy controlling the cogs and reacting quickly to the inputs from our squeezing of the paddle-shift levers. They ticked away the miles as we held on.

Before we knew it, we were approaching triple-digits, but we were not initially aware of this because of the quiet of the G90’s cabin. Quickly realizing that we were approaching take-off speed, we hit the brakes to avoid leaving any more cash on Cape Cod than was necessary.

We paused for a moment after writing the last paragraph. Upon further reflection, we think the aviation-themed comments fit. The Genesis G90 3.3T feels like a corporate jet for the highway.

For more information, please see Genesis.com

GENESIS G90 3.3T	SPECIFICATIONS
Type	Large four-door luxury sedan
Engine	3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 or 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8
Horsepower	V6: 365    V8:  420
Torque	V6: 376    V8:  383
Transmission	8-speed automatic with Shiftronic
Drive	Rear-Wheel-Drive or HTRAC All-Wheel-Drive
Suspension	Genesis Adaptive Control Suspension
Passengers	Five
Length	204.9 inches
Wheelbase	124.4 inches
Height	58.9 inches
Width	75.4 inches
Cargo Space	15.7 cubic feet