The luxury sedan market has a new contender that’s quietly making waves without the fanfare you’d expect. The 2026 Genesis G90 goes on sale soon with the 3.5T AWD trim starting at $94,150, and the e-SC MHEV AWD starting at $104,450 (all prices include $1,450 destination fee). While these numbers might make your wallet pause, consider this: you’re getting flagship luxury at a price that undercuts most German competitors by tens of thousands of dollars.
Genesis isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel with the 2026 model year updates. Instead, they’ve taken a thoughtful approach to refinement. The luxury sedan gets new flat-blade windshield wipers with integrated windshield washers and updated warning sounds for its blind spot monitoring system, lane departure steering assist feature and parking sensors. These might seem like minor changes, but they reflect the kind of attention to detail that separates good luxury cars from great ones.
Two Powertrains That Actually Make Sense
Understanding the G90’s engine lineup doesn’t require an engineering degree. The G90 is offered with two engine options: a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 375 horsepower and 391 pounds-feet of torque and a supercharged mild-hybrid version of the same engine that’s good for 409 hp and 405 pounds-feet of torque. Both come with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive as standard equipment.
The base engine delivers plenty of power for daily driving, highway merging, and the occasional spirited acceleration when you need to pass slower traffic. The mild-hybrid version adds 34 hp and 14 lb-ft of torque with an electric supercharger, which might not sound revolutionary on paper, but the real-world difference lies in how that power arrives. The electric boost kicks in immediately, eliminating the typical turbo lag that can make some luxury sedans feel sluggish when you first press the accelerator.
Fuel economy remains competitive for this class. The base 2025 G90 is EPA-rated 18/26/21 mpg city/highway/combined, and the mild-hybrid is rated 17/24/20 mpg. While official 2026 figures aren’t available yet, expect similar numbers. Yes, you’ll need premium fuel, but that’s par for the course in this segment.
Where Genesis Really Shines: The Interior Experience
Step inside the Genesis G90, and you’ll immediately understand why this brand has earned respect so quickly. The cabin feels like a first-class airline lounge that happens to have wheels. Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping/lane-following assistance, and a 360-degree camera system.
The seats deserve special mention. The front seats offer 18-way power adjustment with massage functions featuring four different modes. If you’ve ever dealt with a long commute or enjoy road trips, these seats transform the driving experience from something you endure to something you actually look forward to. The rear seats in the higher trim take luxury even further with power reclining and their own massage functions.
Genesis has mastered the art of quiet. The cabin uses sealed doors and sound-absorbing acoustic laminated glass to create what feels like a mobile sanctuary. Road noise, wind noise, and engine noise all but disappear, allowing you to enjoy conversation or the available Bang & Olufsen sound system without raising your voice.
Technology That Actually Works
The G90’s technology approach focuses on usefulness over flashiness. Genesis Digital Key 2 turns an iPhone, Apple Watch, or Samsung smartphone into a key through Apple Wallet and Samsung Pass, recognizing the driver and loading customized vehicle preferences accordingly. This isn’t just a party trick – it genuinely simplifies your daily routine when you’re juggling keys, coffee, and briefcase while approaching your car.
Highway Driving Assist 2 combines adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and road sign recognition in this standard feature to alleviate the grind of long freeway stretches. Unlike some systems that feel intrusive or unreliable, Genesis has calibrated their driver assistance technology to feel natural and confidence-inspiring.
The Electronically Controlled Suspension with Road Preview represents genuine innovation. Using a forward-facing camera, the system scans the road ahead and adjusts individual wheel springs and dampers before you even hit a bump. Most luxury cars react to road imperfections after the wheel encounters them; the G90 anticipates and prepares for them.
The Prestige Black Edition: When Standard Luxury Isn’t Enough
For 2026, Genesis introduces the Prestige Black edition, starting at $107,245. This isn’t just about adding black paint and calling it special. The Genesis G90 Black has been meticulously obsessed over to craft intricately balanced layers of textures, reflection, and absorption of light, such that the Athletic Elegance of the design is self-evident.
Every exterior element gets the black treatment – the grille, wheels, brake calipers, and even the removal of rear badges except for the Genesis logo. Inside, the black theme continues with materials that vary in brightness and texture to avoid the monotony that sometimes plagues all-black interiors.
Value Proposition That’s Hard to Ignore
Here’s where the Genesis G90 becomes genuinely compelling for luxury sedan buyers. Rivals like the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and Porsche Panamera start higher, while the Audi A8 and revamped-for-2026 Lexus LS tend to be more competitive. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class, often considered the benchmark in this segment, costs nearly $20,000 more than a comparable G90.
The new-vehicle warranty from Genesis lasts five years or 60,000 miles, whichever happens first, with roadside assistance for five years at unlimited mileage. The powertrain is covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Genesis also includes three years of free scheduled maintenance. These warranty terms exceed what most luxury brands offer and provide genuine peace of mind.
Who Should Consider the Genesis G90?
The G90 makes the most sense for buyers who want flagship luxury without the flagship price tag or the badge snobbery that sometimes comes with it. If you’re cross-shopping with the Mercedes S-Class or BMW 7 Series but question whether the extra $15,000-$20,000 delivers proportional value, the G90 deserves serious consideration.
This sedan particularly appeals to buyers who prioritize ride comfort over sporty handling, though the G90 handles competently when needed. Our test vehicle accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds at our test track. That’s quick enough for day-to-day use and easy passing power, but it’s not going to match the sub-4-second times found in the hopped-up versions of the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
If you frequently carry rear passengers – whether family members or business colleagues – the G90’s spacious and luxurious rear quarters create an experience that rivals first-class air travel. The back seat truly feels like a destination rather than just transportation.
The Genesis G90 2026 represents thoughtful evolution rather than revolutionary change. The updates might be modest, but they build upon a foundation that already competed successfully with established luxury leaders. For buyers seeking flagship comfort, technology, and refinement without the premium pricing of German alternatives, the G90 delivers exceptional value in the luxury sedan space.