The Korean Luxury Sedan That Outsmarts Its German Rivals

Full-size luxury sedans are supposed to be the best that the automotive world has to offer in terms of comfort and technology. While the segment has long been dominated by offerings from German brands, a Korean automaker has joined the fight and may actually be the best choice that money can buy.

BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz have consistently delivered the best executive cars in the world, with the 7-Series, A8, and especially the S-Class being the plushest things on four wheels. A fairly young brand from Korea launched their full-size sedan back in 2017, and it has gotten so good that it doesn’t feel out of place among these legends.

We take a look at the Korean full-size luxury sedan to see what sets it apart from its competitors. Despite a price tag that is close to being the lowest in its segment, it features an interior that is loaded with innovative features and a powertrain that is more impressive than you’d expect.

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The Genesis G90 Is a Top Competitor but Costs Thousands Less Than Its Rivals

Genesis has only been around as its own brand since 2015, launching their first car in 2017. It was the full-sized G90 that started the Korean luxury brand’s journey. Genesis’ flagship sedan has come a long way since it first launched and is already an equally opulent choice to sedans offered by legacy brands, all while costing thousands of dollars less.

2025 Trims and Pricing

The Genesis G90 is one of the most affordable full-sized sedans that you can pick up today, although affordable is definitely a relative term when you’re talking about this segment of cars. The Lexus LS is the only model that has a lower starting MSRP, and it definitely makes compromises to get there. What is special about the G90 is that it feels just as good as the segment’s top players, if not better, even stacking up well against the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

There are only two trims to choose from, with the Korean brand keeping things simple, and they have to do with the car’s powertrain. The base model comes with the standard twin-turbocharged V-6 engine. While this will offer enough power for most buyers, the more expensive model comes with a 48-volt hybrid system that powers an electronic supercharger, boosting output by a decent amount.

Starting Price Of Rivals

Warranty and Maintenance

• Limited Warranty – Five Years or 60,000 Miles
• Powertrain Warranty – Ten Years of 100,000 Miles
• Complimentary Maintenance – Three Years or 36,000 Miles

In the United States, Genesis is the luxury brand that offers the most extensive powertrain warranties, beating all of its competitors by miles. The limited warranty on offer is also pretty impressive. Most impressive, though, is the three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, where Genesis will pick up your car by appointment and drop off a courtesy car while your G90 is being worked on.

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Genesis Innovates and the G90’s Cabin Is Proof

Genesis is a brand that is constantly thinking of ways to improve their cars, adding impressive features all the time. It is this that has helped it rank as the most innovative auto brand for five years in a row. The G90 is the perfect demonstration of this prowess, with a fantastic tech-packed interior.

Interior Dimensions and Comfort

For the 2023 model, Genesis realized that the G90 fell a little bit behind its core rivals when it came to interior design. Thus, they redesigned the full-size sedan. The current iteration of the G90 perfectly blends old school class with new school technology to create one of the most visually appealing cabins on the market.

Those situated in the front row of the G90 will have plenty of space to stretch their legs. While those in the back seats may not have as much space as they would in some rivals, we don’t really see there being any major complaints. Especially true if you go with the e-Supercharged model which comes with reclining and massaging heated and ventilated rear seats.

Key Infotainment and Tech Features

• Large dual-screen panoramic display
• 23-Speaker Bang and Olufsen 3D sound system
• Dual 10.2-inch screens for rear seat passengers
• Fragrance system
• Fingerprint authentication

Genesis’ infotainment software is displayed on a crisp and clear 12.3-inch screen which shares its bezel with another 12.3-inch screen acting as the digital gauge display. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a heads-up display, and in-car Wi-Fi are standard.

There is a ton of tech in the cabin of the G90 which aims to enhance your experience. Firstly, the sound system is capable of emulating venues, such as the Boston Symphony Hall, to enhance your listening experience. A fragrance system can be loaded with different cartridges to dispense different scents. You can personalize the way you want cabin lighting, sound, and the fragrance system to operate through the mood curator, changing settings depending on what vibe you’re looking for.

Rear passengers are also treated well when it comes to technology. An eight-inch screen is embedded into the armrest to allow those in the back to operate systems like climate control, seat settings, lighting, and the entertainment system. Screens are mounted to the back of the front seats to allow rear passengers to enjoy media independently, each supporting seperate bluetooth connection for audio.

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It Isn’t the Quickest, but the G90 Still Delivers Impressive Performance

Genesis offers the G90 in two different forms, one with an electronically powered supercharger and one without. In either case, the G90 features a pretty stoic V-6 that puts down quite a bit of power. It may not be the fastest to 60 miles per hour in its class, but its still pretty quick.

Performance Specifications

The G90 e-Supercharger, detailed above, is the best-performing version of the full-size sedan. It accelerates pretty quickly for its size, keeping up with the likes of the Audi A8 and the base BMW 7-Series. You can expect the model without the 48-volt hybrid system to be a few tenths slower, but that honestly isn’t a huge problem for vehicles in this class in our opinion. It’s meant to be a luxury cruiser, not a rocket ship.

The more expensive hybrid model justifies the $10,000 leap in price in more ways than just performance. It comes fitted with an air suspension and a dedicated Chauffeur Mode to create the smoothest experience for passengers. Regardless, it handles well for its size and there is limited body roll when moving around corners.

Key Safety and Driver Assist Features

• Smart Sense Safety Suite
• Highway Driving Assist II
• Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control
• Remote Smart Parking Assist
• Intelligent Front Lighting System

Genesis packs their flagship sedan with plenty of driver-assist technology to make your commute as effortless as possible. Of course, their full safety suite is standard, with features like front collision detection and automated emergency braking included among a slew of other features.

The G90 is capable of semi-autonomous driving, capable of accelerating and slowing down based on speed limits, distance to other cars, and weather conditions. It can also automatically change lanes when this system is in use simply by using the indicator. A surround view camera system is also included, giving you a 360-degree view around your car, and it can also park itself remotely, controlled by a button on the key fob.