Experiencing the 2025 Genesis G90

I’m crawling along in stop-and-go traffic. And I’m absolutely fine with it. The 2025 Genesis G90 full-size luxury sedan has that effect on people. This is one of the quietest, smoothest, most comfortable cars I’ve ever driven, and its serenity is contagious. While I’m waiting for everyone else to get their driving act together, the Bang & Olufsen audio system sounds great, and the heated/ventilated/massaging seats improve the quality of life. This particular G90 is even easy to get in and out of, thanks to an adaptive air suspension that adjusts its height for the situation.

The Same Folks Like Different Strokes

The G90 has crystallized something for me. Those of us who love cars and driving don’t always go for just one type of car. We can derive a lot of enjoyment from a small, low-powered fun machine like a Mazda MX-5 Miata and still appreciate a big luxury sedan in another way, yet to an equally high degree. That’s absolutely the case here.

It’s just that most of the time we can only choose a single conveyance, and it has to be one that covers the most bases for family life or any number of other criteria. For the fortunate few who have settled on a large luxury sedan, they have some amazing choices. The G90 is most definitely one of them.

Plushness and Power

We’re now in the second generation, which debuted for the 2023 model year. I drove the first-gen G90 and liked the equipment-to-price ratio, but felt the whole car wasn’t quite at the level it needed to be. This latest model is not an evolution but a quantum leap.

Merely climbing in sets expectations high. The leather is top quality, the build is perfect, and when I put my foot on the brake pedal, my door closes automatically. Love that attention to detail. Time to press the “Engine Start” button.

This G90 test car has the turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 that also packs an electric supercharger (the “base” G90 has the same V6, only without the extra mild-hybrid components). Output is a substantial 409 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. In a car this big, such muscle is on the right side of adequate, yet not exactly remarkable. That said, the G90 still has an air of effortlessness about it. The same easy-going nature is also found in the steering and brakes, asking little from the driver.

Uncanny Chassis

This G90 has rear-wheel steering in addition to all-wheel drive (AWD), a winning combination for excellent grip and surprisingly enjoyable maneuverability. Clicking the car out of Comfort mode and into Sport brings a bit more body control and a slightly zippier throttle response, yet the ride quality doesn’t really suffer.

In Comfort mode, it’s almost uncannily tranquil. I drove the G90 over rough roads that make other cars bounce. Even with the standard 21-inch alloy wheels, this Genesis was a revelation. If all I had to go on was seat-of-the-pants feedback, I would have thought those roads were freshly finished by master craftsmen.

Silicon Chops

Another enjoyable aspect of the 2025 G90 is found by letting the car help out with the driving. I don’t tend to use adaptive cruise control, but I’ve always admired how the assistance features in Genesis vehicles work so well. It’s easy to engage the system in the G90 and set the cruising speed using the buttons on the steering wheel. In conjunction with Highway Assist 2 (which keeps the car centered in its lane), all that’s required is a light grip on the wheel, and the G90 does the rest. It will even handle changing lanes — just use the turn signal.

Dial D for Drive

One thing about Genesis vehicles that I’ve been a bit wary about is the double rotary dial setup. One is the shifter for the (incredibly silky) 8-speed automatic transmission, the other connects to the infotainment system if the driver doesn’t feel like stretching to the touchscreen. These are often arranged longitudinally, and, in the haste of making a 3-point turn, there’s a chance the driver might change the radio station instead of selecting Reverse. It’s different in the G90. These controls are positioned laterally, with the shifter nearest to the right hand. This simple change fixes the issue completely.

Two Wishes

So far, so glowing. If there’s one thing I could change about the G90, I would add voice commands. Being able to activate certain functions just by talking to the car saves going through infotainment system menus. Mercedes-Benz and BMW offer this ability. While I’m on this tack, the trunk is on the small side at 10.6 cubic feet in this supercharged/mild-hybrid version (the entry-level G90’s trunk isn’t much bigger). I managed to fit one large suitcase in there, but not two. Then again, the trunk in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is of similar dimensions. Oh, and having the trunk release button on the left side of the instrument cluster seems like an odd location. It works fine, though.

Take a Back Seat

I had to check out the spacious rear accommodations, with power-adjustable/heated/ventilated/massaging/reclining rear seats, an extendable footrest for the passenger-side seat, a wireless charging pad, and beautifully cushioned headrests covered in a suede-like material. Plus 37.8 inches of rear legroom in which to stretch out.

The G90 is a bona fide flagship sedan that works well for the driver and the driven. And yes, I’m still impressed by the equipment-to-price ratio. If you spec out a German contender to this level, it would widen the financial gap considerably.

Read our full review of the 2025 Genesis G90