G90 Motor Trend Comparison - Genesis Wins!

[Sal Collaziano]

Back in 2010, when I bought my first Genesis, there was talk that Hyundai dealers would have separate Genesis show areas and staff. That didn't happen, at least around here. But I think Hyundai thought that by selling cars for many thousands less than the established competition, they would attract buyers, build loyalty, and eventually spin off Genesis into a separate brand with its own dealerships. It took awhile, but it looks like that's what they're doing now. But even if Hyundai convinces dealers to build Genesis facilities, it's going to take time. Until then, people will buy Genesis from and have their cars serviced at Hyundai dealers. So it's not unexpected that reviewers and shoppers will continue to see Genesis through a Hyundai lens. That's different from Lexus, which was never sold at Toyota dealers as far as I know.

Yes, this is exactly what's happening. Hyundai is slowly, but surely morphing Genesis into it's own brand. First, they gave us the cars. Next, they improved dealerships - not all - some - but more and more as time goes on. Next, they're giving us customer service improvement - and then the new stores will follow. I think the upcoming CUVs are going to make everything happen as they're the best selling vehicles these days. They're every brand's bread and butter and will be Genesis' too...

I came to my G90 from a Lexus LS600hL (the $120K [when new] flagship of the Lexus brand), and I still hold Lexus in high regard for their great reliability and overall refinement. However, Lexus has made a choice to move away from traditional luxury and into the sporty/edgy side of the equation a bit too much for my taste. I really love the earlier Lexus cars, like the original LS and the SC 430 (V8 powered sports coupe with the retractable hardtop -- I own a 2006 SC 430 still, and wouldn't trade it for anything). Genesis G90s have really taken over the role of the old-school luxury car with great reliability and reasonable price.

I'm very active on the Lexus LS forum, and I can say that many of the members there are starting to express interest in the Genesis G90 as an alternative to the new Lexus LS. When I traded my LS600 in on the G90, and posted all about my experience on the Lexus forum, I had many members ask me to keep them posted on my Genesis experience, as they were also very interested to see how well the Genesis would hold up under real-world driving conditions. I think we'll see quite a few former Lexus LS drivers make the jump to Genesis over the next couple of years.

I have an account at Club Lexus, I'm guessing that's what you're referring to, and I have always had great respect for the brand. Once the third generation GS was introduced, I knew things were taking a turn for the worst. It felt cheap compared to previous generations. Even the next generation LS was noticeably cheaper than the previous generations. Things really haven't improved since then. Designs have become more interesting - and sales show that people are buying more and more Lexus vehicles - but not LS or GS. It's all CUVs, ES and some IS's... The new LS does take things to a higher level again - but they've lost a lot of their traditional luxury customers and they will continue to lose them as even the new LS is not speaking the same language as the earlier models...

The dealer where I bought my first Hyundai Genesis made improvements specifically because of Genesis. He added a building with auto opening garage door so you can drive inside to drop you car off for service. As for the showroom, there is only space for so many cars. The only way you can really segregate a special area would be to put some lines on the floor with duct tape. There is no more land available to expand where he is. Given that he owns 42 dealerships (every brand but Subaru, a story in itself) I'm sure he will have a Genesis at some time.

My local Hyundai dealership is pretty nice as well. They've got the nicest building in the area and there are a LOT of dealerships around. Everything except for Cadillac. there's even a McLaren dealership. I mean there's everything. And they have the nicest building. The brand is slowly growing and I expect great things from Genesis...

The G90 seems to be making a bit of a splash over on the Lexus forums.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car-chat/836294-genesis-g90-reviews.html

You can also find many comparative references in this behemoth of a thread.

Thank you, I'll be taking a close look at these discussions...

 

[YEH]

As I've been saying all along, the Japanese lux brands have the most to lose when it comes to Genesis.

riknchar is hardly the only one who has flipped (or is thinking of flipping) to Genesis (or for that matter, Kia with the Stinger).

I've had my Genesis G90 for 6 months now, and have been very satisfied with the car in every aspect. Hopefully, Genesis showrooms will start popping up so customers don't have to shop at the admittedly down-market Hyundai dealerships! I've enjoyed the valet service a couple of times for my Genesis, so I haven't had to go the Hyundai dealership at all, but a nice standalone showroom will enhance the brand prestige...

However, luckily the midsize G80 has more contemporary styling that's more my tastes, and it rides very well.
I might have to shift over to Hyundai Genesis, esp when the forthcoming 5GS is going to look not vastly different from the forthcoming 2018 JDM Toyota Crown; 5GS is very likely to retain the C-pillar styling.
I am really warming to Genesis' direction...

I will seriously consider Genesis now from what I have seen and read about the G80 and G90. Other luxury brands have gotten so ridiculously overpriced for what you get and the downsized engines are a huge turn off to me, Genesis is looking to be a more attractive option. I think the G80 is one of the better looking sedans in its class after seeing more of them on the road and the G90 has one of the nicer interiors in class.

Nice! Very glad to hear your experience. I've been tempted by the G80 Sport, but ultimately we don't need another sedan in the family. Would absolutely jump on a Genesis crossover if they had one out right now.

I had the chance to test drive a Genesis G90 on Tuesday, and I have to agree with Steve that this car has really put the bulls-eye on the Lexus LS and has bested Lexus in many categories. I won't repeat everything Steve has already pointed out regarding the G90, but I pretty much agree with his assessment that this car is likely to become a serious player in the Luxury car field.

I'm still pretty happy with my 2008 LS600hL, but I will be seriously tempted to make the jump to Genesis when the time comes to trade.

Your excellent review on the Stinger swayed me enough to trade in my '15 RC F and I also transferred my lease on my '17 IS for it! Consolidate two vehicles into one. Some people think I'm nuts including my wife but brand stigma aside, the Stinger is a superb vehicle - styling, performance and versatility. Hard to beat!

 

[waveman]

There will always be people who buy Mercedes, BMW, Audi, or Lexus because of the brand's exclusivity, regardless of objective differences, and that's OK. But, as Yeh said, Lexus is more at risk than the others. There are so many of them around here, especially SUVs, that the prestige is less than it used to be. Recent styling changes are also turning some buyers off. And Infiniti is perceived as near-luxury without much to make it stand out.

To be successful, Hyundai/Genesis will have to do more than sell cars that are equivalent to or even better than the competition for much less. Reliability and dealer support will be critical to continue to build loyalty and attract buyers. I was considering a G80 to replace my 2010 Genny, but I'm concerned about sunroof problems with the 2nd gen Genesis and the G80. I realize that online forums are magnets for complaints, but 43-page threads are hard to ignore. TBH, I don't particularly care for sunroofs, panoramic or not—I've probably used mine fewer than 20 times over 7 years, though I sometimes slide the shade back just to get some more light in the car.

 

[EdP]

, but I'm concerned about sunroof problems with the 2nd gen Genesis and the G80. I realize that online forums are magnets for complaints, but 43-page threads are hard to ignore. TBH, I don't particularly care for sunroofs, panoramic or not—I've probably used mine fewer than 20 times over 7 years, though I sometimes slide the shade back just to get some more light in the car.

In two years mine was opened once. I'm on my third car with pano roof and have not had any problems, but nor have they been opened do disturb anything. I do keep the shade open though. If the roof was not part of the package I'd not buy it either. I find it easier to drive using the big window in the front.

 

[YEH]

Going back to the Stinger, there have been buyers who opted for the Stinger over not just a run-of-the-mill C Class or 3/4 Series, but an AMG or M.

And one of the mods on Club Lexus just got one.

Will be interesting to see if the G70 will be able to deliver that kind of enthusiasm (at least for a minority of buyers), but I'm thinking probably not as the G70 doesn't have as striking sheetmetal.

 

[Aquineas]

Going back to the Stinger, there have been buyers who opted for the Stinger over not just a run-of-the-mill C Class or 3/4 Series, but an AMG or M.

And one of the mods on Club Lexus just got one.

Will be interesting to see if the G70 will be able to deliver that kind of enthusiasm (at least for a minority of buyers), but I'm thinking probably not as the G70 doesn't have as striking sheetmetal.

The styling is subjective; I think the G70 is much better looking. It is less striking, as you say, but looks more upscale.

 

[YEH]

^ Well (subjective) to a point.

The front end of the G70 has too many lines going in all different directions and the greenhouse and rear are really bland.

Could take the same basic design and make it look a lot better (such as the New York concept).

But overall, will agree w/ you that it looks more upscale, but that doesn't necessarily correlate with better.

The G80 and G90 look more upscale as well, but both are pretty bland in their own right (unless opting for the G80 Sport - which looks a good bit better up front than the non-Sport trims).

 

[Aquineas]

^ Well (subjective) to a point.

The front end of the G70 has too many lines going in all different directions and the greenhouse and rear are really bland.

Could take the same basic design and make it look a lot better (such as the New York concept).

But overall, will agree w/ you that it looks more upscale, but that doesn't necessarily correlate with better.

The G80 and G90 look more upscale as well, but both are pretty bland in their own right (unless opting for the G80 Sport - which looks a good bit better up front than the non-Sport trims).

Then we agree to disagree, and I'm okay with that. I think the G70 is the best looking of the Asian small sedans, and because of that, it's going to sell like hotcakes on a cold day.

 

[YEH]

^ Of course.

But in reading/watching the reviews, the Stinger GT generally has gotten more praise for its sheetmetal than the G70 and it's the Kia and not the new Genesis model that has been racking up the design awards.

 

[Aquineas]

..but it will be the G70 which gets the sales awards.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[YEH]

^ Maybe.

And most likely if Genesis USA is more aggressive on pricing than what Kia did for the Stinger.

There have been prospective Stinger buyers who ending up opting for a German b/c they were peeved about all the stuff that Kia USA took off the USDM Stinger (unlike say, for Kia Canada) or couldn't get it in the color combo they wanted and the deals they got on a German were too good to pass up (but have intentions to revisit the Stinger down the road).

Problem for both the Stinger and the G70 will be availability of the TTV6 - which is in short supply (H/K under-estimated the demand for the higher powertrain for the Stinger and G70 and the engine also has to do duty in the G80 Sport and G90).

Aside from overall availability for both models, another factor will be whether Genesis intends on selling the G70 at all Hyundai dealerships, the ones currently designated to sell the G90 or just the ones which will be getting a separate Genesis dealership.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Going back to the Stinger, there have been buyers who opted for the Stinger over not just a run-of-the-mill C Class or 3/4 Series, but an AMG or M.

And one of the mods on Club Lexus just got one.

Will be interesting to see if the G70 will be able to deliver that kind of enthusiasm (at least for a minority of buyers), but I'm thinking probably not as the G70 doesn't have as striking sheetmetal.

That Club Lexus moderator traded in an RC-F none the less...

 

[YEH]

^ Actually 2-for-1.

Traded in the RC-F and sold his IS F-Sport since the Stinger GT can do the job of both (also had a late model A4 before trading that in on the IS).