NAIAS 2016: New 2017 Genesis G90 is Beginning at The End

by Aaron Cole

Updated: November 12th, 2020 Published: January 12th, 2016

naias 2016 new 2017 genesis g90 is beginning at the end

When the American-spec 2017 Genesis G90 finally made its bow at the North American International Auto Show on Monday, most of us already knew what to expect. The South Korean version of the first Genesis model — dubbed EQ900 — has already been out there for more than a month. Still, we were eager to see how the new fledgling luxury automaker would grow from the top of luxury market to the bottom.

On Monday, we found out.

The new G90 sports a 4-inch longer wheelbase than a standard BMW 7-Series and looks just as long as the luxe German cruiser. While it’s not packed with technology like the 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which both feature semi-autonomous driving features and complicated gesture controls, the Genesis relies mostly on convention: leather everywhere and large helpings of brightwork in between the cowhides.

The large, 12.3-inch widescreen in the center stack displays the G90’s 360-degree camera setup and controls the 17 speakers and 10-inch subwoofers buried deep within the car’s plush interior.

Under the hood, Genesis will make standard its all-new 3.3-liter turbocharged V-6 that makes 365 horsepower. Hyundai’s venerable 5-liter, direct-injection Tau V-8, which produces 420 horsepower, will make an appearance in higher trims of the G90. Both powerplants are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and can power all four wheels for well-heeled buyers.

Hyundai planted a multi-link suspension setup at all four corners and beefed up the brakes in cars equipped with a V-8.

Interestingly, Genesis withheld some of the G90’s more interesting tech features, including highway driving assistance, from the U.S. version of the car. Initially, some features will be reserved for South Korea only. We’ll still see autonomous emergency braking, smart cruise control and lane-keep assist in the G90 at launch in the U.S.

Genesis didn’t announce when the car would go on sale, or how much it would cost when it does. We’ll wait and see how closely the car’s final price comes to established players such as Audi’s A8 and BMW’s 740i, which both start just over $80,000.

[Images: Hyundai/Genesis]

#2017 #2017GenesisG90 #G90 #Genesis #Hyundai #NorthAmericanInternationalAutoShow

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11 of 40 comments

Fred on Jan 12, 2016

Part of the luxury car deal is the dealer experience. Selling along side the normal riff-raff isn't going to cut it.

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- Tonycd on Jan 12, 2016
  
  True, Fred, but I'd be willing to get slimed a certain amount if it saved me $25,000. That's really what Genesis comes down to: If it's priced right, there's a lot here to like.
  
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- Heavy handle on Jan 12, 2016
  
  @tonycd Won't save you a dime. The S90 will be just as luxurious, just as fast, and will start around the same price (judging by the Equus and XC90 list prices). Bet you the Continental retails around the same too, and cheaper after incentives. So the question is, would you get this Hyundai/Genesis if you could get a Lincoln or Volvo for the same price?
  
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- Tjh8402 on Jan 12, 2016
  
  @Fred: Will Genesis be offering the same concierge style service Hyundai did when they first offered the Equus? If I remember, you never had to set foot in the dealer. Cars would be brought to you to demo and test drive, paperwork would be brought for delivery, and service loaners exchanged.
  
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- SCE to AUX on Jan 12, 2016
  
  @heavy handle "So the question is, would you get this Hyundai/Genesis if you could get a Lincoln or Volvo for the same price?" Yes, without any hesitation.
  
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- Mullholland on Jan 12, 2016
  
  @tjh8402 Yes. The press release distributed at NAIAS mentioned that these concierge style features will be offered on the Genesis branded cars.
  
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- TMA1 on Jan 12, 2016
  
  @SCE to AUX That's a silly question. Hyundai does luxury better than any Ford product and has for years now. And the Genesis V8 will still be running long after the Volvo has eaten through a turbocharger, supercharger, and two transmissions.
  
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- Heavy handle on Jan 13, 2016
  
  @SCE to AUX TMA1, How do they do luxury "better"? They just copy whatever Mercedes was doing 2 S-Class's ago. They are the outlet mall version of luxury, a cheap dated knockoff that won't fool anybody. As for durability, we will see. Hyundai has been in Canada since the 1980s, but you hardly ever see one over 10 years old. Mind you, my local tech thinks that's due to the owners as much as the cars: they always want the cheapest replacement parts and repair invoices, even when OE parts are reasonably priced. I know that Volvo had a transmission problem in the past (back when they were using a GM transmission, ironically enough, and GM-owned Saab was using a Japanese transmission). I keep hearing internet comments about failed turbos, but I haven't seen it in a car that's been maintained. Is it a real issue?
  
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- Tjh8402 on Jan 13, 2016
  
  @heavy handle - I would definitely buy the Hyundai. I do not like 4 cylinder engines in premium cars which eliminates Volvo. While Lincoln does at least have a six, and is on one of the best FWD chassis out there, I doubt I'll enjoy driving the Lincoln as much as the RWD Hyundai and I doubt Lincolns six will be as nice as the big 5.0 V8. A side by side drive would be required to know for sure, but if I had to guess, I'll probably go for Hyundai. Either that, or as I've said in other posts here, I'd give a 300C Hemi a serious look as well, and possibly a GS350 and a CTS 3.6. The (4 cylinder) Germans would never be on the radar. I've had an F10 528i (N20 powered) as a rental car and it was dull. It was an overpriced Toyota Camry. I was sharing it with a friend and after a few hours with the car I had lost interest in driving it. I let him drive the rest of the time.
  
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- Bd2 on Jan 13, 2016
  
  @heavy handle A lot of luxury buyers still prefer the RWD layout, esp. for higher end sedans. And notwithstanding the new Genesis brand getting pretty much the Equus service experience, the Genesis sedan (which did not get the same level of service) was still the 3rd best selling sedan in the midsize luxury segment after the E Class and 5 Series. Don't expect the G90 to be as successful as the Genesis sedan as it is even more difficult to make inroads at the flagship segment, but with the improved ride, handling, amenities, interior and the addition of AWD and a TTV6, the G90 should sell better than the Equus ever did with a good chance of doign around 5-6k. Add another 3-4k for the next gen K900 and that isn't bad #s for the H/K.
  
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Ponchoman49 on Jan 13, 2016

The is more in line as to what the new Lincoln should have been.

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