2017 Genesis G90 Review

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Hyundai has twice proven it has what it takes to compete in the premium sedan space, first with the Genesis and then the Equus.

Both were viable options for the budget-conscious buyer who wasn’t concerned about the badge their car wore (ironically, neither car bore much to identify them as Hyundai products). Whereas those cars were little more than warning shots fired from down market, the automaker is ready to meet the competition head-on, with a new premium brand created to battle the segment’s best. And the 2017 Genesis G90 marks the first model to hit the market. Just don’t call it a Hyundai.

The G90 is Genesis’ flagship model and the first of six vehicles it plans to launch over the next five years. It’s also the largest in the brand’s planned crop of cars, and makes a visual statement right out of the gate. If you’re looking for on-road presence, the G90 oozes it. While technically a replacement for the Equus, the car is underpinned by an all-new platform that is unique to the Genesis brand. It’s also larger than the outgoing Equus, and is closer in size to a long wheelbase Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The G90’s wheelbase is just five millimeters shorter than that of an S 550, while its overall length measures just 1.6 inches shorter. For perspective, at 205 inches from bumper-to-bumper, the burly sedan is equivalent to the length of a small moving truck. Yeah, it’s that big. Those sizeable dimensions are complemented by an imposing grille and simple, elegant character lines, while handsome 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels and LED lighting round out the exterior aesthetics.

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