Genesis G90 - Upperclassman longer than any current Bentley

The Hyundai Group has more experience with the luxury car class than some people think. But the segment is officially coming to Germany for the first time with the Genesis G90. Unfortunately, the eight-cylinder engine has already been dropped. Instead, there is the extra portion of vehicle length.

They always say price-performance ratio - how about price-length ratio instead? Genesis offers 5.47 meters for 125,000 euros. Mercedes would like to see at least 182,000 euros for saloons of this size. For a Rolls-Royce Ghost (even longer at 5.55 meters) you have to fork out over 300,000 euros.

Unbelievable! With a length of 5.47 meters, the Genesis towers over all Bentley models and even comes close to the noble offerings from Rolls-Royce.

But what does the vehicle length actually say? Quite a lot. If you take a look at the long-wheelbase version of the G90, you will quickly see that it is quite something. With a wheelbase of 3.37 meters, the sedan looks extremely stretched and its mission is clear: to offer as much travel comfort as possible in the rear. And that's why Genesis arrived at the airport with several vehicles to collect the journalists at the presentation. They were asked to get in the back, the steering wheel would be handed to them later, they were told.

There is so much space in the rear of the G90 long-wheelbase version that the seat can be converted into a recliner.

And yes, what the Korean offers is quite impressive. You really have to stretch to touch the front seat backrest with your hand. Crossing your legs is not a difficult exercise either. But the fun only begins when you discover all the little buttons in the back - a paradise for children, who usually travel in the back. Seat heating? Sure, old hat. Naturally, the supple, upholstered leather fauteuils are also electrically adjustable. And then there's the massage function. And the two screens on which you can happily touch and then be entertained. Not forgetting the electric blinds for the side windows. Genesis has obviously studied the luxury competition closely.

Hyundai Group has luxury class experience

When you push the supercharged V6, the G90 kicks up dust. It reaches speeds of up to 250 km/h.

Of course, the Hyundai Group already has experience with the luxury class. The Koreans, who were sponsoring the World Cup back in 2006, imported several dozen Hyundai Centennials to Germany. At that time, the Hyundai Group did not yet have its own brand for the highest vehicle category. At a time when downsizing and overly stringent EU regulations were not yet rampant, those responsible naturally insisted on a befitting eight-cylinder engine. The Genesis G90 actually deserved one too, but the company cut the so-called Tau V8, which had up to five liters and around 400 hp and was used in the first G90 generation. Now a 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine with direct injection and supercharging is used, which is said to guzzle around ten liters of premium gasoline per 100 kilometers.

A look under the hood reveals a high-tech six-cylinder engine with an electrically driven compressor. Unfortunately, the V8 had to go.

To avoid any misunderstandings: This engine is by no means bad and with 415 hp it is anything but weak. And it is also technically very attractive. It uses a 48-volt system and therefore has an electric supercharger drive. Of course, the six-cylinder engine is not as powerful as the V8 supercharged engines still available from Jaguar today. That doesn't bother in any way, it's just that under load the engine is a little more throaty than a smooth-running eight-cylinder.

But that's just the spirit of the times, and even BMW has dropped the V8 for the seven-cylinder model (albeit only in Europe). However, the Munich-based company does have two electrically powered variants for its flagship model. Genesis product manager Dominik Kling is not yet willing to reveal whether these will be available for the G90. It would certainly be possible, as the G80 is also available as a purely electric version.

At the wheel of the chauffeur-driven limousine

The G90 interior looks great. Old newspapers are used as upcycling material for the wood inlays.

It's about time for me to take over the air-sprung top model. So let's hop from the back to the front behind the steering wheel. Because to really assess the drive and steering, you have to set the pace yourself. It's a special moment to be launching the G90 here in Europe - because this is the first time a Korean luxury class has been launched in our climes.

How does the Korean respond to the throttle, how can corners be negotiated? In any case, the focus is on comfortable driving. However, the extra-long vehicle does not appear unagile despite its 2.5 tons unladen weight, which is not noticeable. This may be due not least to the standard rear axle steering. And possibly because Genesis has once again fundamentally tuned its top model for Europe. Speaking of all-wheel steering: it takes the fear out of the flagship when it comes to maneuvering it through narrow and winding lanes. The turning circle of 11.9 meters is only just above the compact class value. If desired, the four-door model equipped with all-wheel drive and a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission can also play the athlete, accelerating to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds. However, it is better suited to a quiet drive.

And what about infotainment? Of course - everything is there, from digital instrumentation to head-up display and touchscreen (even at the rear). In addition, the Korean makes every effort to satisfy the adult play instinct. The so-called "Mood Curator" is cribbed from Mercedes' Energizing program: Depending on the setting, the G90 delivers the appropriate fragrance and corresponding music program to create different moods on board, from comfortable to vitalizing.

Anyone opting for this exotic saloon in this country will not be spoilt for choice. There are no optional extras, only the version with a "normal" wheelbase (115,000 euros). In this case, however, it is already an impressive 3.18 meters. The G90 is then "only" 5.28 meters long - not exactly predestined for narrow parking garages.

All in all, the Korean is certainly on a par with the competition. However, the long version is more exciting, also because there is simply no direct competition here, at least not in this price league. With this version, Genesis is already poaching in the super-luxurious area of Bentley, Maybach and Co.

Only the engine seems a little lean. Genesis should soon deliver a powerful electric drive, after all, the V8 has become unrealistic in these times. Genesis is said to have already sold eleven G90s in this country. This means that the Korean luxury car pleasure should be even more exclusive than that of the relevant brands. The only difference is that these are simply better known. But who knows, maybe that will change.