Is Genesis Killing the G90?
The Genesis G90 luxury sedan has received mixed reviews since its 2017 debut. Consumer Reports recommended the 2020 model over the Lexus LS, thanks in part to a $20,000 price difference. The G90 also comes with many standard safety features that other luxury cars charge extra for. However, the 2018 model was less reliable and, as a result, lowered the 2020 model’s reliability score. But in general, the Genesis G90 is an attractive luxury car.
However, the G90’s sales have been painfully low for years. Will that spell death for this sedan?
Exactly how bad are Genesis G90 sales?
Even with a sticker price lower than many other luxury cars, as well as tons of standard safety features, the Genesis G90 has never sold well.
It saw its best sales nationwide in 2017, the year it debuted, with 4,398 units sold, GoodCarBadCar reports. The next highest year was 2019, with 2,239 units sold. 2018 and 2020 saw 2,136 and 2,072 units sold. And six months into 2021, only 746 G90 units have sold.
So it would be reasonable to wonder if Genesis plans to give the G90 the ax.
But the Genesis G90 will live to see another model year
Motor1 recently published spy shots of the 2022 Genesis G90 on public roads. The sedan wore plenty of camouflage and fake body panels to hide its design, standard in the auto industry. But even with the disguise, the new G90 looks to maintain its general structure and appearance.
More good news: The 2021 model won a recent award
The 2021 Genesis G90 also won Best Luxury Full-Size Sedan in Good Housekeeping‘s “The Best New Family Cars of 2021.” GH chose it for its smooth, quiet ride and the best warranty in its class, with the powertrain covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles and complimentary maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles.
Here’s what else the 2021 Genesis G90 offers
The base engine in the Genesis G90 is a powerful 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 producing 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. This sedan can zoom from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds. You can also get a 5.0-liter V8 harnessing 420 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, but it gets the same 0-to-60 time as the smaller engine. Both come with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The EPA-estimated fuel economy is 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, with the V8 having slightly worse fuel economy. But the V6 performed 2 mpg better than the EPA estimate when Car and Driver tested it.
The cabin boasts leather, suede, wood, and brushed metal. And heated and cooled front seats come standard. The G90 also comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Expect a 17-speaker Lexicon stereo system, too.
As for safety, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2021 G90 the highest honor, Top Safety Pick+. It comes with driver assists such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning.
Even though G90 sales have been dismal, Genesis doesn’t appear to be giving up just yet. The 2022 G90 might be this luxury sedan’s last chance to impress, but who knows? Only time, and sales, will tell.
