2026 Genesis G90 review: It's definitely not a Hyundai

Mitchell Weitzman
1 hour ago
5 min read

Way beyond a fancy Hyundai, the Genesis G90 is a brilliant luxury sedan

2026 Genesis G90 Prestige Black review | The Road Beat

2026 Genesis G90 review by The Road Beat

Words and pictures: Mitchell Weitzman

Anyone who tries to disrespect both you and this car by calling it a Hyundai deserves to be slapped.

The current G90 made a remarkable impression when first tested back in 2022, and four years later, that reputation has easily endured. Objectively, this G90 is frankly incredible in a myriad of means. However, even if this particular specification is not one I'd personally recommend, the 2026 G90 remains a supremely comfortable and relaxing driving experience. Luxury cruising really doesn't get much better than this.

Picks

Just open the door—it's as simple as that.

If you're not impressed with the quality and detailing involved inside the G90, you probably have larger problems in need of professional help and diagnosis. I'm not going to call it nicer than a BMW 7 Series or Mercedes S-Class, but considering what it costs and how impressive it remains in contrast to luxury stalwarts that date back to prior centuries rather than decades, that speaks volumes.

Banging stereo? Check, courtesy of one Bang & Olufsen. Effective massaging seats? Check. Gorgeous ash wood trim? Done. Solid metal switchgear coupled with sumptuous, quilted leather surfacing throughout? Check. Quiet? You bet. Did I mention the rear passengers get all the same amenities plus pillows from the heavens? The legroom is enormous, suitable for basketball stars, with enough seat sculpting to make any journey worthy of first-class on Emirates.

2026 Genesis G90 Prestige Black exterior rear three quarter at sunset | photo by The Road Beat

The latest 7 Series from Bavaria might be among the single ugliest and most vulgar cars on sale today, so it's a nice and refreshing reprieve that the G90's general shape and detailing is pretty low-key in comparison to the other luxury juggernauts. Part of luxury is the ability to not draw attention to yourself, and the G90 does that well thanks to its simpler yet handsome, understated shape. It smartly draws more on British inspiration than the continued excess of the Germans. Yes, the grille is big, but it could have been way bigger.

Ride quality is superb, and the Genesis just shrugs off potholes and other imperfections like they don't exist. Behind the wheel, it's a controlled and easy car to drive, with immediate power from the e-supercharged and twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 whenever you ask for it. The growl emitted from under the hood is subdued, perfectly pleasant, and soothing in a way that's simply tasteful. 409 horsepower won't win bragging rights, but the need for anything extra is also completely unnecessary.

2026 Genesis G90 Prestige Black interior | review by The Road Beat

By combining electric supercharging and twin turbocharging, Genesis essentially gets the best of both worlds: the immediate low-rpm response of an electric supercharger paired with the sustained power and efficiency of exhaust-driven turbochargers. There's remarkably little turbo lag to be found here and zero perceived hesitation, and the transmission does its job of keeping the engine happily humming along. This all accounts for smoother driving, which is exactly what is desired in a lavish saloon car.

A conventional supercharger is mechanically driven by the engine itself, meaning it consumes some of the engine's own power to make more. The G90's supercharger is instead driven by a 48V electric motor (the motor and battery partly replenished through regenerative braking), allowing the system to provide additional boost without the same direct mechanical drag of a traditional supercharger. The result is an unusually seamless power delivery that doesn't make it faster so much as smoother and more efficient. And 22 MPG overall for a big luxury barge ain't bad at all.

2026 Genesis G90 Prestige Black interior rear seats quilted leather

And if you're ever tired of closing your own doors, the G90 can do that for you with the push of a button. The driver's door will even close on its own when you press the brake pedal when starting the car. I don't need this feature, but it's a cool addition that will at least impress friends as a party trick, or your Hinge date.

Nicks

Possibly the worst part of this particular Genesis G90 is the specification: black on black on black.

Black paint is certainly befitting and a classic choice for a luxury limousine for its elegance, but the black wheels here—and, more importantly, the design of the wheels—are slightly, well, horrible.

Look, I get that an opinion based on wheels is entirely subjective. The car itself is good-looking; it's just that the wheels are absolutely awful (to me and to anyone with working eyes). These specific wheels are part of the Prestige Black package and edition, but they really need to be avoided at all costs. Some simple polished monobloc wheels with more of a Mercedes-style aesthetic would be a better choice, but really, the wheels alone are the one big problem with this G90.

2026 Genesis G90 Prestige Black exterior front three quarter 21 inch wheels

Luckily, the wheels are entirely fixable and a total first-world problem.

Other gripes include some laziness through the corners, which I don't mind because a car like this doesn't need to be driven hard nor hurried. Still, I would have liked to find some sense of dual-natured ability here, given how well other Genesis sedans handle the bends.

And even if the G90 represents good value for a luxurious flagship sedan, $108,895 as-tested is still a heck of a lot of coin, particularly for a brand that lacks the inherent prestige of some of the more established luxury marques. Even at the top of the G90 lineup, it does start to overlap with the entry points for Audi, Mercedes, and BMW competitors. To get those equipped to a similar level means spending more than on the Genesis, but nearly 110K just isn't the same great value that the G90 used to be.

2026 Genesis G90 Prestige Black interior driver's seat and cockpit

As you might notice in some of the photos, the interior shows fingerprints and other wear marks surprisingly easily. In other words, this car may have only a few thousand miles on the odometer, but it looks like it's already gone through a couple of years of use. Indubitably and admittedly, life as a press car can also be pretty tough, since people who drive these cars aren't necessarily going to treat them as nicely given that they're not actually theirs.

A near perfect flagship

Genesis is just over 10 years old as a brand, and it's remarkable how far they've reached in such a short time. Segments are not skimped on either, as its entire catalog of products is now all immediately comparable to stern competition that's been around for generations.

2026 Genesis G90 Prestige Black wood trim and bang and olufsen stereo

If you change those wheels, then this is a brilliant sedan that serves as a fitting flagship for Genesis meant to compete against titans. The G90 is insanely luxurious and a genuine pleasure to eat miles in, and to simply exist in. The fact that Genesis got so many details right and made a car that works so well in everyday living is a true testament to what the company is capable of.

Don't acquire a Genesis G90 because it's a good deal for what you get. Get the G90 because it's phenomenal.

Just with the right wheels.

2026 Genesis G90 3.5T Prestige Black AWD