Text by Tom Appel
2026 Genesis G90 3.5T E-SC MHEV Prestige Black AWD
Class: Premium Large Car
Country of manufacture: South Korea
Seating capacity: 5
Color: Vik Black
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | A |
| Fit and Finish | A |
| Fuel Economy | A |
| Value | A- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 409 horsepower |
| Engine Type | 3.5L supercharged hybrid V6 |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Miles Driven: 131
Observed fuel economy: 25.2 mpg
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 17/24/20 (mpg city/highway/combined)
Fuel type: Premium gas
Base price: $105,750 not including $1495 (destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Special paint ($650)
Price as tested (2025): $107,895
Audio-System Brand
Bang & Olufsen
Audio-System Quality
Poor Fair Good Very-Good Excellent
Pros and Cons
The great: Class-leading cabin appointments, impressive interior quietness
The good: Plenty of power, eye-catching design
The not so good: A little difficult to enter and exit
Review
We are losing our flagships in a hurry—at least our big-sedan luxury flagships. In the last dozen months or so, the Audi A8 and the Lexus LS have been dropped from U.S. Showrooms, and, for good reasons: large luxury-vehicle consumers are moving to big crossover–at a alarming rated. You can read all about the migration from big luxury cars to large luxury SUVs here.
Here are U.S.-market big luxury sedan sales totals for 2025:
- BMW 7-Series: 11,393
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class: 5,006
- Genesis G90: 1687
- Audi A8: 1405
- Lexus LS: 1,082
It’s no wonder, then, why both Audi and Lexus have opted to exit the segment before the end of 2026, leaving just three players rolling into 2027. We’d like to think that, with two players eliminated from the sales competition, the other cars might flourish, but, frankly, the pie isn’t that large. We’re happy that Genesis is giving Americans some more time with it’s stylish big sedan, as it not only impresses as a truly luxurious offering, it’s also, by class standards, a strong value.
Test Car
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2026 Genesis G90 in top-of-the-line Prestige Black trim and optional Vik Black paint. All told, our test car came to $107,895. A lot of money, to be sure, but a bargain in the segment.
Five Cool Things About the G90
Here we’d like to share five of the coolest things we appreciate about the 2026 G90:
Five Cool Things about the 2026 Genesis G90 Prestige Black
Limousine Front Seat
While many American-market drivers and passengers have forgotten how to step DOWN into a car, the action is a small price to pay for the space to be found inside this large sedan. And—old-school—your legs stretch out in front of you, not dangle chairlike from high seats, as in a crossover. This author misses the sedan seating position, though having your seated line-of-sight blocked by the taller crossovers surrounding you in traffic is a real detriment to driving enjoyment these days.
Limousine Back Seat
All G90 trim levels feature executive-style second row accommodations, with power window shades, heated seat, and more. Plus, the Prestige Black’s rear seats recline, and boast cooling and massaging functions. There’s more than ample stretch-out space, though taller passengers will need to do a little ducking to enter the car.
Opulent Cabin
It’s difficult for this editor to find new language to describe the G90’s—or any Genesis’—interior environment. At the risk of sounding repetitive, the G90 cabin would humble that of a Bentley. The quilted seat upholstery impresses most, but the cool, metallic-feeling bright trim bits, the stitching around elements including the center console, and wood veneer, work together to elevate to G90—the least inside—to ultra-luxury status.
Opulent Drive Experience
Opulent is the right word for the feeling a driver enjoys piloting this 17 and a half foot sedan. The G90 requires only the subtlest inputs in normal driving, and is Land O’ Lakes smooth in response. Ride quality is similarly buttery.
That said, the G90 is not especially fun to drive, unless you mash the throttle to the floor—which does upset the sensory-deprivation tank tranquility some, if only for a moment.
Engines
Along with AWD, the Prestige Black features and upgrade version of the standard G90 engine, and it’s pretty cool. The E-SC engine features:
- Mild-hybrid boost
- Turbocharging, and…
- Electric Supercharging
There’s enough going on here that it might be reasonable to expect a certain amount of detectable drivetrain noise and jittery mechanical activity, but not a bit of it. The G90 is a perfect gentleman in routine driving, and is nearly as refined during full-throttle acceleration.
Oddly High Value
Among the last players in this class, the G90 is easily the most affordable. And, given that cars in this segment have been subject to tumbling resale values, it makes sense to spend as little up front for your next premium large sedan as possible. And, frankly, the G90 is so satisfying to pilot, we’re not sure we see a compelling argument for going German for a big saloon.
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2027 Genesis G90 Prestige Black Pictures
Click below for enlarged images
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