Regular sedans are declining in popularity for many reasons but that’s not the case with luxury ones. Luxury sedans typically offer more refined power, safety features, as well as other posh offerings. One particular old-time favorite in the luxury sedan class is the Lexus LS. But how does this signature model compare to relative newcomers like the Genesis G90?

Style

Outward appearances first connect us to a car and power offerings is what keeps us engaged. Stylewise, both the 2020 LS and 2020 G90 are attractive, but in very distinct ways. With the LS, you get classic elegance while the G90 is gorgeous and aggressive. Choosing between the two based on the outside comes down to if you want something that’s in your face or something that’s more understated.

Power and capability

When it comes to the standard models, the LS and the G90 aren’t very far apart. The standard LS model features a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine that generates a 416-horsepower. On the base G90 model, you get a twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine that makes a 365 hp. The LS is praised for its incredibly smooth handling and the G90 is more known for its speedy acceleration.

As far as additional powertrain offerings go, the LS and G90 are basically polar opposites. The LS is available as a hybrid that creates a 354 hp; the G90 offers an available 420-hp, 5.0-liter V8 engine. Extra power on the G90 may sound enticing but the V8 doesn’t make the model feel that much quicker compared to the standard V6. 

Generally speaking, the G90 and the LS both have an average fuel efficiency rating. If you are looking to save more on gas here, the LS hybrid might be worth looking into.

On the inside

Both the G90 and the LS offer the chic interior you would expect on a luxury model. Although, we can’t help but think the G90’s interior is grander. Keeping up with the similarities, both of these models feature a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The LS models come with tons of infotainment features including navigation, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and a wifi hotspot. Lexus infotainment features typically take additional time to get used to though. The G90 infotainment system is easier to use but its features aren’t nearly as robust as the ones on the LS. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are the most notable standard features on the G90.

In regards to advanced safety features, both the G90 and the LS come with standard items such as automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. 

Safety

Neither the G90 or the LS have available crash-test scores from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, the G90 did earn a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The LS doesn’t have available crash-test scores from the IIHS.

The final verdict

It almost feels strange to say this, but the G90 is a more well-rounded luxury car compared to the LS. The G90 shows that Hyundai Motor’s Genesis brand is serious about taking over the luxury vehicle space. The LS isn’t a bad option, it’s just starting to lose its edge.