The 2020 Genesis G90 Shines Like a Crazy Diamond
Every time Hyundai introduces a new product that reaches higher along the price/prestige continuum, it raises eyebrows, if not immediate interest on the part of consumers. But the company always sticks it out, and eventually those products become an accepted element in their market segment.
These days, Hyundai-especially its upscale Genesis brand-appears to be less patient than before when it comes to establishing itself in the luxury-sedan space (or perhaps it sees the writing on the wall in the shrinking segment and wants to make its mark while it's still relevant). Genesis is showing a dramatically facelifted version of its most ambitious and luxurious product ever, the Genesis G90. The new, 2020 model comes barely 26 months after today's rather forgettably styled G90 replaced the even more forgettably styled Hyundai Equus in the fall of 2016. Regardless, this time one thing is clear: Genesis hopes the G90 will not be ignored.
Most of the G90's changes for 2020 can be characterized as skin deep, aligning with the brand's Horizontal Architecture styling theme. The most noticeable among them is the broad, five-sided grille flanked by headlamps with horizontal light bars striking through them and continuing almost all the way to the front wheel arch. The open-mouth look was previewed, albeit in much smaller form, by the slinky Essentia concept earlier this year, so we can't say we weren't warned. The hood and fenders are also new, the latter featuring relocated fender vents that also feature a horizontal bar that visually continues the light bar in the headlamps.
Out back, the outgoing G90's tapering tail with its vertical Bentley Mulsanne–like taillamps have yielded to the Horizontal Architecture mandate; the new model features a higher decklid terminating in a sharply creased upper edge, with full-width linear taillamps that should give it a distinctly futuristic light signature.
Both the headlamps and taillamps now feature Genesis's G-Matrix inner detailing, said to be inspired by light reflecting from a cut diamond. The diamond pattern can also be found on the lacy 19-inch wheels and the interior upholstery.
Speaking of the interior, the 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system can be updated wirelessly over the air, and there are new copper accents to spiff things up. Noise-canceling technology serves to further calm the already serene space, and the climate-control system now automatically goes into recirculation mode when the car enters a tunnel. Otherwise, not too much has changed inside the G90, which is fine by us; we have found little to complain about in our previous experiences, including with our long-term G90.
Genesis did not provide an exact date when it expects the 2020 G90 to arrive in its U.S. dealerships. Nor did we get any idea of any change in prices, which currently start at $69,345 for rear-wheel-drive models powered by a 365-hp twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V-6 and reach up to $75,345 for G90s powered by a 420-hp 5.0-liter V-8 with all-wheel drive.
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