Genesis G90 reviews and news
05-25-18 | 05:56 PM
#616
Who makes the go to true luxury car in 2018? Genesis. Nice work passing the baton, Lexus.
Who makes the go to true luxury car in 2018? Hyundai. Nice work passing the baton, Toyota.
05-25-18 | 05:57 PM
#617
i don't think there is anything wrong chasing after the germans (which by all means are considered the benchmark by most). let's face it, the first ls400 was a direct pitch against the s class.
i just think they lost direction lately and i have no idea what they are trying to achieve.
on the other hand hyundai really hit multiple jackpot the past decades. picking the right designs, doing the right things, and now they are on the map.
i just think they lost direction lately and i have no idea what they are trying to achieve.
on the other hand hyundai really hit multiple jackpot the past decades. picking the right designs, doing the right things, and now they are on the map.
05-25-18 | 05:59 PM
#618
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 904
Likes: 3
From: Florida
It seems most people buying "Genesis" vehicles have "Hyundai" on the title. There really isn't a "Genesis" brand at this time. There isn't a single "Genesis" dealership in America. So it's Hyundai doing the work here.
05-25-18 | 06:14 PM
#619
i don't think there is anything wrong chasing after the germans (which by all means are considered the benchmark by most). let's face it, the first ls400 was a direct pitch against the s class.
i just think they lost direction lately and i have no idea what they are trying to achieve.
i just think they lost direction lately and i have no idea what they are trying to achieve.
What direction is this H? Everybody always says that, but it's like they talk as if they know Lexus (I know you kinda do hah). Has anybody ever asked what Lexus wants?
“Not only will the LS symbolize the Lexus brand, it will become the definitive new-generation luxury car embodying Japanese tradition and culture,” said Toshio Asahi, chief engineer for the new LS. “As such, this global pinnacle must go far beyond what the world expects from a luxury car.”
its lack of badge cachet or pedigree. The challenge was neatly summarized by my neighbor upon seeing the G90 in my driveway one afternoon. “We call that the fake Mercedes,” she quipped. Of course, by the same logic, her Cadillac ATS is a fake 3-Series, but there’s a fundamental branding hurdle in her comment: For many, luxury cars are about flaunting wealth; the Genesis G90 speaks more to pragmatism than pomp.
05-25-18 | 06:22 PM
#620
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 904
Likes: 3
From: Florida
When Lexus launched the LS, all the luxury brands were sleeping at the wheel. Hyundai launched the G90 when all the luxury brands are at the top of their game. For Hyundai to get such positive reviews of the G90 at a time like this - speaks volumes...
05-26-18 | 06:38 AM
#621
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 31,752
Likes: 73
From: ON/NY
well this about says it all...
http://autoweek.com/article/car-revi...ine-luxury-car
Sir James Dyson, of vacuum cleaner (and, potentially, electric car) fame, coined a phrase in his early advertisements: “I just think things should work properly.” The brilliance of Dyson’s marketing campaign was that it forced buyers to ask themselves why century-old technology, in this case the vacuum cleaner, seemed to be getting more, rather than less, trouble-prone.
There’s a parallel in cars, luxury cars specifically, not in reliability but rather in ease of use. In the race to add technology and perceived luxury, the modern Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Lexus LS 460 and BMW 7-Series have grown fiendishly complex, with layers of menus and multifunction *****. Auto stop/start settings and drive modes need to be customized to suit the driver. Throttle response and transmission tuning is right for a lot of situations but gets laggy or hypersensitive in others. The cars invariably work properly, but only once you know how to use them.
Enter the Genesis G90. After a year in the fleet, it’s proved to be the most turn-key luxury car we’ve had at Autoweek in years. It has buttons and ***** where you expect them. The suspension is smooth and forgiving when the road is rough yet taut when twisty asphalt calls for spirited driving. There’s gobs of lag-free torque and a seamless transmission that picks gears perfectly. The G90 just works, right out of the box. Yes, there are menus and settings to customize whatever you want, but the point is that you don’t need to. Just get in and drive. It’s an uncannily easy car to live with on a daily basis.
These traits are welcome in any car, but they’re critical for a “new” brand. Genesis no doubt saw its mission as that of Lexus in the late 1980s: a segment-busting wave of luxury sedans designed—and priced—to shake up the class leaders. To accomplish that, it had to get the car as close to perfect as possible.
That has been accomplished, so why hasn’t Genesis clobbered its luxury-car competitors the way Lexus dominated in the 1990s? Some key differences have kept Hyundai from making the same splash: The competition isn’t asleep at the wheel, oblivious to its vulnerability as it was in the 1980s—the current S-Class, 7-Series and LS are all formidable rivals in a state of constant refinement. Another is the decline of sedan sales in the face of total SUV domination, meaning Genesis launched luxury sedans into a contracting market. Finally, spotty advertising and a lackluster marketing campaign have kept many would-be buyers in the dark.
But Genesis is making slow, steady inroads. After all, the difference between the 1987 Hyundai Excel and today’s Accent or Elantra proves the Koreans are patient. It took a generation of Hyundai Genesis and Equus refinement to get to the point where Genesis was ready to launch out on its own. Now comes the steady whittling away at the competition. The numbers aren’t huge—4,400 G90s were sold in 2017, but that’s 4,400 Cadillac CTS sedans or Audi A6/A8s that weren’t sold, and in a shrinking sedan market. What did those G90 buyers gravitate to? Some of the best ride tuning put in a big sedan, for one—the G90 delivers that sense of magnetic levitation, of adhering to a surface without actually experiencing its imperfections, only found in the top echelons of premium sedans until recently.
“The ride feels near perfect to me,” said one editor. “Supple but not floaty, even in soft settings.”
Hyundai’s 3.3-liter twin-turbo six is a lovely powerplant for a luxury car—instant, lag-free torque is delivered without any throttle tip-in delays (take note, BMW and Benz). More importantly in this class, the engine is superbly isolated, offering a muted growl under acceleration. Perhaps most telling is the lack of criticisms from a staff dedicated to uncovering flaws in any design. A certain editor known for detecting chassis irregularities no one else can feel remarked: “This car is damn near perfect. I drove it to Toronto and back for a two-hour press conference; that was good for about eight hours of driving in one day, and I could have gone another four without complaining.”
Another, equally particular editor: “After two weeks of driving the Genesis, I’m having trouble finding anything I don’t like. My biggest gripe: The hazards flash when the remote start is active—seriously, that’s what we’re down to with the G90.”
The positive feelings were helped by the fact the Genesis held together despite Detroit’s notoriously bad asphalt and the car’s near-constant use, often on punishing airport runs and short around-town journeys. “With 18K miles on the clock, I hear no squeaks or rattles,” said one editor, “and interior fit and finish are as good as the more expensive luxury boats.”
Indeed, our Genesis has needed nothing but routine service, and not even much of that. The car’s log files show just the factory-recommended free services performed and a mount/dismount of its winter tires. There were no unscheduled appointments or repairs needed.
So, given our glowing compliments and the car’s spotless reliability, why will some buyers never consider a Genesis G90? The car’s biggest handicap—aside from the ever-present threat of kilotonnage from across the 38th parallel landing on the factory—is its lack of badge cachet or pedigree. The challenge was neatly summarized by my neighbor upon seeing the G90 in my driveway one afternoon. “We call that the fake Mercedes,” she quipped. Of course, by the same logic, her Cadillac ATS is a fake 3-Series, but there’s a fundamental branding hurdle in her comment: For many, luxury cars are about flaunting wealth; the Genesis G90 speaks more to pragmatism than pomp.
That might be just enough for a foothold, though. As one editor remarked, “I’ve said it 348,534,958 times: If I ran Benz or Audi, I don’t think I’d be too worried about Genesis as a brand. Not yet, at least. Were I in charge of Cadillac, Infiniti or Acura, though, Genesis would be all over my radar.”
This article first appeared in the March 12, 2018 issue of Autoweek magazine.
http://autoweek.com/article/car-revi...ine-luxury-car
Sir James Dyson, of vacuum cleaner (and, potentially, electric car) fame, coined a phrase in his early advertisements: “I just think things should work properly.” The brilliance of Dyson’s marketing campaign was that it forced buyers to ask themselves why century-old technology, in this case the vacuum cleaner, seemed to be getting more, rather than less, trouble-prone.
There’s a parallel in cars, luxury cars specifically, not in reliability but rather in ease of use. In the race to add technology and perceived luxury, the modern Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Lexus LS 460 and BMW 7-Series have grown fiendishly complex, with layers of menus and multifunction *****. Auto stop/start settings and drive modes need to be customized to suit the driver. Throttle response and transmission tuning is right for a lot of situations but gets laggy or hypersensitive in others. The cars invariably work properly, but only once you know how to use them.
Enter the Genesis G90. After a year in the fleet, it’s proved to be the most turn-key luxury car we’ve had at Autoweek in years. It has buttons and ***** where you expect them. The suspension is smooth and forgiving when the road is rough yet taut when twisty asphalt calls for spirited driving. There’s gobs of lag-free torque and a seamless transmission that picks gears perfectly. The G90 just works, right out of the box. Yes, there are menus and settings to customize whatever you want, but the point is that you don’t need to. Just get in and drive. It’s an uncannily easy car to live with on a daily basis.
These traits are welcome in any car, but they’re critical for a “new” brand. Genesis no doubt saw its mission as that of Lexus in the late 1980s: a segment-busting wave of luxury sedans designed—and priced—to shake up the class leaders. To accomplish that, it had to get the car as close to perfect as possible.
That has been accomplished, so why hasn’t Genesis clobbered its luxury-car competitors the way Lexus dominated in the 1990s? Some key differences have kept Hyundai from making the same splash: The competition isn’t asleep at the wheel, oblivious to its vulnerability as it was in the 1980s—the current S-Class, 7-Series and LS are all formidable rivals in a state of constant refinement. Another is the decline of sedan sales in the face of total SUV domination, meaning Genesis launched luxury sedans into a contracting market. Finally, spotty advertising and a lackluster marketing campaign have kept many would-be buyers in the dark.
But Genesis is making slow, steady inroads. After all, the difference between the 1987 Hyundai Excel and today’s Accent or Elantra proves the Koreans are patient. It took a generation of Hyundai Genesis and Equus refinement to get to the point where Genesis was ready to launch out on its own. Now comes the steady whittling away at the competition. The numbers aren’t huge—4,400 G90s were sold in 2017, but that’s 4,400 Cadillac CTS sedans or Audi A6/A8s that weren’t sold, and in a shrinking sedan market. What did those G90 buyers gravitate to? Some of the best ride tuning put in a big sedan, for one—the G90 delivers that sense of magnetic levitation, of adhering to a surface without actually experiencing its imperfections, only found in the top echelons of premium sedans until recently.
“The ride feels near perfect to me,” said one editor. “Supple but not floaty, even in soft settings.”
Hyundai’s 3.3-liter twin-turbo six is a lovely powerplant for a luxury car—instant, lag-free torque is delivered without any throttle tip-in delays (take note, BMW and Benz). More importantly in this class, the engine is superbly isolated, offering a muted growl under acceleration. Perhaps most telling is the lack of criticisms from a staff dedicated to uncovering flaws in any design. A certain editor known for detecting chassis irregularities no one else can feel remarked: “This car is damn near perfect. I drove it to Toronto and back for a two-hour press conference; that was good for about eight hours of driving in one day, and I could have gone another four without complaining.”
Another, equally particular editor: “After two weeks of driving the Genesis, I’m having trouble finding anything I don’t like. My biggest gripe: The hazards flash when the remote start is active—seriously, that’s what we’re down to with the G90.”
The positive feelings were helped by the fact the Genesis held together despite Detroit’s notoriously bad asphalt and the car’s near-constant use, often on punishing airport runs and short around-town journeys. “With 18K miles on the clock, I hear no squeaks or rattles,” said one editor, “and interior fit and finish are as good as the more expensive luxury boats.”
Indeed, our Genesis has needed nothing but routine service, and not even much of that. The car’s log files show just the factory-recommended free services performed and a mount/dismount of its winter tires. There were no unscheduled appointments or repairs needed.
So, given our glowing compliments and the car’s spotless reliability, why will some buyers never consider a Genesis G90? The car’s biggest handicap—aside from the ever-present threat of kilotonnage from across the 38th parallel landing on the factory—is its lack of badge cachet or pedigree. The challenge was neatly summarized by my neighbor upon seeing the G90 in my driveway one afternoon. “We call that the fake Mercedes,” she quipped. Of course, by the same logic, her Cadillac ATS is a fake 3-Series, but there’s a fundamental branding hurdle in her comment: For many, luxury cars are about flaunting wealth; the Genesis G90 speaks more to pragmatism than pomp.
That might be just enough for a foothold, though. As one editor remarked, “I’ve said it 348,534,958 times: If I ran Benz or Audi, I don’t think I’d be too worried about Genesis as a brand. Not yet, at least. Were I in charge of Cadillac, Infiniti or Acura, though, Genesis would be all over my radar.”
This article first appeared in the March 12, 2018 issue of Autoweek magazine.
05-26-18 | 07:24 AM
#622
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,343
Likes: 142
From: Illinois
This was an interesting read. Glad to see the G90 being reviewed well. Who would of ever predicted that Genesis would have an optional V8 while Lexus does not. I sat in the new G90 at the Genesis dealer in Mississauga, its very nice and after sitting in the G90, its hard not to notice the G80 is a downgrade. I do think the media is very biased when in comes to car reviews, I think they could of left out the 4000 or sales numbers, the jab at "fake Mercedes" and then the further jab at Cadillac, and Acura.
05-26-18 | 10:40 AM
#623
I do think the media is very biased when in comes to car reviews, I think they could of left out the 4000 or sales numbers, the jab at "fake Mercedes" and then the further jab at Cadillac, and Acura.
05-27-18 | 08:14 AM
#624
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 31,752
Likes: 73
From: ON/NY
Anyways, I think almost any car you buy today is very good. I don’t really care to listen to the reviews anymore discussing whether the plastics are better in this car or are they better in that car, and I certainly do not need to hear Alex on Autos go over what is found in a brochure . To be honest, I am more interested in the lifestyle and what brands mean behind a simple review. My favourite reviews are those that take the reader or viewer somewhere and let’s them learn about the car and also learn about something on that particular journey or destination. For example, Harry’s Garage offers pretty good videos, he took a Ferarri on a 2000 mile drive to the Sahara desert, along the way you see what Morocco has, the mountains and snow in Morocco, talks briefly about the minefields as he crosses into the desert, and along the way discusses the Ferarri and actually shows the issues he has with the Ferarri having some breakdowns along the way. Another good one is where he goes to the Swiss Alps in a Ferarri and comes back with a motor boat, and stops to buy champagne. Lastly, I found out about Michelin Restaurant reviews from a S-class coupe review where the unidentifiable Michelin restaurant reviewer drives an S-class coupe around to different restaurants in Europe. That is what I am most attracted to.
Back to the G90 and it’s ride. I have always thought most people want a magic carpet ride, but they don’t know they do and think they actually want a sporty ride. This issue is almost always reflected in the reviews. People who buy these magazines are usually enthusiasts and it needs to pander to this. All biased IMO.
05-27-18 | 08:19 AM
#625
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 58,376
Likes: 2,793
From: Maryland
Then just don’t read or watch reviews. I personally appreciate a reviewers insight into the car and the industry and the cars competitors, and if one isn’t going to comment on the material quality, ride and drive characteristics and compare and contrast them with the competition what’s the point of a review?
If people want to draw their own conclusions, they don’t need a review from somebody else to do that. The point of a review is to see what the reviewer thinks about the vehicle. It’s always biased, it’s supposed to be biased.
If people want to draw their own conclusions, they don’t need a review from somebody else to do that. The point of a review is to see what the reviewer thinks about the vehicle. It’s always biased, it’s supposed to be biased.
05-27-18 | 05:55 PM
#626
ALL reviews are subjective (except for things like engineering specs and prices and some instrumented test for the most part), so even if a review says a car is perfect, that's only their interpretation of the intended use of and market for the vehicle.
Just say the car is good, bad, or indifferent and let the reader draw their own conclusions. Once I hear the “brand cache, or Mercedes Benz is what people want” I kind of stop reading.
Anyways, I think almost any car you buy today is very good.
I don’t really care to listen to the reviews anymore discussing whether the plastics are better in this car or are they better in that car, and I certainly do not need to hear Alex on Autos go over what is found in a brochure.
To be honest, I am more interested in the lifestyle and what brands mean behind a simple review. My favourite reviews are those that take the reader or viewer somewhere and let’s them learn about the car and also learn about something on that particular journey or destination. For example, Harry’s Garage offers pretty good videos, he took a Ferarri on a 2000 mile drive to the Sahara desert, along the way you see what Morocco has, the mountains and snow in Morocco, talks briefly about the minefields as he crosses into the desert, and along the way discusses the Ferarri and actually shows the issues he has with the Ferarri having some breakdowns along the way. Another good one is where he goes to the Swiss Alps in a Ferarri and comes back with a motor boat, and stops to buy champagne. Lastly, I found out about Michelin Restaurant reviews from a S-class coupe review where the unidentifiable Michelin restaurant reviewer drives an S-class coupe around to different restaurants in Europe. That is what I am most attracted to.
plus i don't see you likely to get a ferrari or s-class coupe, but i could be wrong! i watch reviews mostly of vehicles i could possibly buy at some point. i mean a mclaren or ferrari review is fun, but there's just about zero chance of me owning one and i think those kind of cars are pretty pointless on public roads, and yeah, those kind of reviews often have a lot of fluff, so i tend to skim through.
Back to the G90 and it’s ride. I have always thought most people want a magic carpet ride, but they don’t know they do and think they actually want a sporty ride. This issue is almost always reflected in the reviews.
most reviewers are enthusiasts and probably very jaded about vehicles and want to drive something fun (i say most because the CR reviewers appear like they'd rather be having a root canal
) and fun to them means great handling, and since they don't have to drive the car daily over a long period, they don't care and are thus, yes, biased.
People who buy these magazines are usually enthusiasts and it needs to pander to this. All biased IMO.
anyway, each to their own, i enjoy reviews, in many formats... doug demuro seems to be even more **** than alex on autos but he thinks he's a comedian (he's not except for amusing himself and speaking strangely) but he sure is getting a lot of views on youtube and he does show a number of details people would never know before buying reviewed vehicle.
05-27-18 | 06:31 PM
#627
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,715
Likes: 89
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
i think you made two points there, i do think some buy a car that has a firmer/'sporty' ride thinking this fits (or bolsters) their self-image, but in time the stiff ride becomes tiring and even annoying.
most reviewers are enthusiasts and probably very jaded about vehicles and want to drive something fun (i say most because the CR reviewers appear like they'd rather be having a root canal) and fun to them means great handling, and since they don't have to drive the car daily over a long period, they don't care and are thus, yes, biased.
most reviewers are enthusiasts and probably very jaded about vehicles and want to drive something fun (i say most because the CR reviewers appear like they'd rather be having a root canal
) and fun to them means great handling, and since they don't have to drive the car daily over a long period, they don't care and are thus, yes, biased.That's where I (sharply) differ with most reviewers and enthusiasts. While, yes, driving a Miata (or other strongly sport-oriented vehicle) can be interesting on some types of curving or narrow roads, I see nothing "fun" about a kidney-thump ride, excessive noise levels, or steering that is responsive to the point of actually being darty. Nor do I see much "fun" in overly-firm seats or narrow side-bolsters that press on wide rumps and torsos. Nor do I see much "fun" in humpback-whale rooflines and overly-cramped back seats. One reason (among many) why I bought a Lacrosse is that it is one of the few cars today that actually offers something different from the standard Car & Driver or Road & Track fare. So, to an extent, does the two Genesis models....the G80 and G90. You found that out for yourself with the G90.
anyway, each to their own, i enjoy reviews, in many formats... doug demuro seems to be even more **** than alex on autos but he thinks he's a comedian (he's not except for amusing himself and speaking strangely) but he sure is getting a lot of views on youtube and he does show a number of details people would never know before buying reviewed vehicle.
Doug's good, I'll admit (definitely better than average), but IMO, not quite in the same league as Alex. He sometimes comes across as too much of a salesman.
05-27-18 | 07:30 PM
#628
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 260
Likes: 4
From: WA
My wife and I saw a genesis g80 being demo at Costco this weekend,
the interior looks good, but the most impressing thing is its 3 year complimentary valet service .
with this service, dealer pickup customer car at his convenient time and place, also send customer a loaner car, customer also pick up his car at his convenient place.
this service alone is belonging or even beyond a luxury brand, plus it's price is very low comparing same class German rivals, genesis should be successful in a long run with no doubt.
the interior looks good, but the most impressing thing is its 3 year complimentary valet service .
with this service, dealer pickup customer car at his convenient time and place, also send customer a loaner car, customer also pick up his car at his convenient place.
this service alone is belonging or even beyond a luxury brand, plus it's price is very low comparing same class German rivals, genesis should be successful in a long run with no doubt.
05-28-18 | 11:23 AM
#629
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,274
Likes: 296
From: ------
anyway, each to their own, i enjoy reviews, in many formats... doug demuro seems to be even more **** than alex on autos but he thinks he's a comedian (he's not except for amusing himself and speaking strangely) but he sure is getting a lot of views on youtube and he does show a number of details people would never know before buying reviewed vehicle.
Here is a nice review of his for the G90
05-29-18 | 01:26 PM
#630
^^^ i watched that review before you posted and it had some interesting details but he had to keep making the snarky "it's a $75,000 HYUNDAI" over and over, i doubt LS fans would be appreciative of a review by him of "an $85,000 Toyota".
anyway, came across this one, it's a sales guy from a dealer, so grain of salt of course, but nice details.
anyway, came across this one, it's a sales guy from a dealer, so grain of salt of course, but nice details.