Full-size luxury sedans are getting rare, but the 2026 Genesis G90 proves you can get everything you want at a relatively lower price. Well, almost everything.
When the Genesis brand arrived for the 2017 model year, spinning off Hyundai’s models into a dedicated marque, it had the audacity to rival established automakers such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, in addition to starting its operations with two luxury sedans at a time when passenger-car sales were steadily decreasing in favour or SUVs. And yet, here we are with the 2026 Genesis G90.
Not only has this full-size sedan survived all these years despite very low sales, but it’s better than ever, as the Hyundai Group is still believes there’s a market for it. Through the first quarter of 2026 in Canada, G90 sales were up 129%, though we’re talking about 16 units sold. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz S-Class sales dropped 75% to 22 units, BMW 7 Series sales dropped 47% to 19 units, and Audi A8 sales remained flat at 8 units sold in Q1. The all-electric BMW i7 and Mercedes-Benz EQS saw their already-marginal sales decrease by 65% and 40%, respectively. Nothing to write home about in all cases.
Other G90 rivals were simply retired, such as the Lexus LS, with only 5 units imported into Canada for its final model year. American brands gave up peddling their luxobarges a long time ago, and Jaguar, well, Jaguar took a sabbatical to figure out what it’s doing next, though now, it thinks a 1,000-horsepower EV will revitalize its image. During that first quarter, an estimated 190 units of its now-discontinued Tesla Model S were scooped up, while 210 Canadian consumers signed the contract for a Lucid Air. So there is some demand for large luxury sedans, if they’re EVs, and if they’re sold by non-traditional luxury brands.
Which brings us back to the gas-powered 2026 Genesis G90. It’s equipped with a mild-hybrid twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6 fitted with an electric 48-volt supercharger, developing 409 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. It’s managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission that feeds power to all four wheels. The U.S. market also gets a regular biturbo V6 without the hybrid system, with 375 horsepower, but it’s no longer offered in Canada.
That’s it. No V8, no fully electric powertrain, no plug-in hybrid. Simple. Take it or leave it. Yet no one can argue that this car would need more power with a stable of more than 400 ponies. In comparison, the base A8 has 335 horsepower, the base 7 Series gets 394 horsepower, and the S-Class boasts at least 442 horses. The G90 is more or less in the same ballpark.
The G90’s city / highway / combined fuel economy ratings are pegged at 13.6 / 9.6 / 11.8 L/100 km. It obviously requires premium fuel, just like the rest of its competitors. During our test, we beat the combined rating with an average of 11.3 L/100 km.
Two trim levels are available in Canada, the G90 Prestige and the G90 Prestige Black. As its name suggests, the latter—new for 2026—flaunts a more sinister appearance with black wheels, brake callipers, headlight bezels, window surrounds, interior and exterior accenting as well as badging.
The standard feature list is exhaustively long, but the 2026 Genesis G90 does include 21-inch alloy wheels, power-assisted and soft-closing doors, a suede headliner, a leatherette-wrapped dashboard, Forged carbon or Black Ash Wood trim, three-zone climate control, a fragrance diffuser, Nappa leather seats, 18-way power driver and 16-way power front passenger seats, power-adjustable rear seats, massaging front and rear seats, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a 12.3-inch digital driver instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen and a Bang & Olufsen 23-speaker surround sound system.
In Canada, pricing ranges from $121,720 to $125,920, which includes the $100 A/C tax and the Luxury Tax that applies to light-duty vehicles costing $100k and up. Freight and delivery charges are set at $0, or baked into the MSRPs. In the United States, the G90 is priced from $94,195 to $107,895.
Why You Should Buy a 2026 Genesis G90
- From a driving dynamics standpoint, the G90’s performance and handling abilities are in the same league as those from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, if we exclude the RS Sport, M and AMG products. That may be explained by Hyundai hiring German engineers some years ago, which fine-tuned Genesis products to match the vehicles designed and manufactured in their homeland.
- Ride comfort is supreme, the cabin is hushed, while the Bang & Olufsen stereo sounds amazing. The G90 serves up a serene and relaxing driving experience. It actually makes us not be in a hurry to arrive at our destination. Even parking the G90 is easy despite its size, thanks to standard four-wheel steering that reduces the car’s turning diameter from 12.2 to 11.3 metres.
- As rewarding to drive as the G90 is, if we prefer being chauffeured, the sedan can be enjoyed sitting in the back seat as well. The left-side seat can be adjusted for extra comfort as the front passenger seat can be pushed way forward, and back-seat riders get separate climate and audio controls.
- In addition to being affordable, for a full-size luxury sedan that is, the Genesis also provides peace of mind with a concierge service that will pick up and return the car for complimentary regular maintenance, included during the first five years of ownership or the first 100,000 km. That is, if we live within 50 km of a Genesis dealership or authorized service centre.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy a 2026 Genesis G90
- The G90 Prestige is available in eight paint colors, with a choice of four interior color schemes. The Prestige Black gets two paint colors and a single interior choice, while both trims get one alloy wheel design each. That may be enough to customize the car to buyers’ tastes, but in comparison, BMW can build a 7 Series in any paint color (for a hefty surcharge, though) mixed with a selection of 13 interior color combinations and 11 wheel designs. If short, for shoppers who wish to personalise their ride, Genesis comes up short.
- As with many luxury cars costing $100k, resale value isn’t this sedan’s strong point. Though rare due to marginal sales, a five-year old G90 can be found on the Canadian market in the $40k to $50k range, and we spotted a 2025 model-year unit listed below the $90k mark.
- Don’t get us wrong, we like hard buttons for adjusting the climate system, adjusting the audio volume and skipping songs. However, the G90’s centre stack and console interfaces may be a little overwhelming. The climate control panel incorporates a touchscreen with small buttons, while the transmission and infotainment rotary knobs are similar and size and placed side-by-side, which could get confusing if we’re not paying attention.
- Although Genesis cleverly uses the word “Prestige” as the G90’s trim level designation, some luxury-car buyers may still prefer the aura of traditional brands like BMW and Benz, and dismiss Genesis as a marque that lacks prestige. We like the G90’s exterior design, though it may be too subtle for its own good, and the Prestige Black’s dark appearance hides the car’s appearance and surfacing. On the other hand, we’re seeing a younger generation of professionals embrace brands like Tesla, Lucid and even Genesis.
Should You Buy a 2026 Genesis G90?
The G90 is a stylish, fast, comfortable and refined luxury sedan. It’s also aggressively priced and comes fully loaded, with the added bonus of offering free maintenance for up to five years.
There isn’t much to complain about here, though we’d like to see more customisation options for a vehicle of that price. Arguably, the Genesis brand doesn’t have the prestige of more-established badges, though it could only be a matter of time before that changes.
| Specifications | |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Genesis G90 | 2026 Audi A8 | 2027 BMW 740 xDrive | 2026 Mercedes-Benz S 500 4MATIC | |
| Price Range ($CAD) including Luxury Tax (if applicable) | $121,720 to $125,920 | $114,220 to $139,050 | $169,780 to $192,340 | $165,878 to $261,734 |
| Engines | Twin-Turbo 3.5L V6 MHEV | Turbo 3.0L V6 | Turbo 3.0L I6 MHEV | Turbo 3.0L I6 MHEV |
| Output (hp) | 409 | 335 | 394 | 442 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 405 | 369 | 428 | 413 |
| Combined Fuel Economy (L/100 km) | 11.8 | 10.9 | TBD | 10.1 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 3,180 | 3,127 | 3,215 | 3,216 |
| Length (mm) | 5,276 | 5,321 | 5,400 | 5,289 |
| Width (mm) | 1,930 | 1,946 | 1,950 | 1,954 |
| Height (mm) | 1,491 | 1,481 | 1,550 | 1,503 |
| Headroom Front/Rear (mm) | 1,001 / 965 | 973 / 978 | 1,010 / 981 | 1,009 / 1,003 |
| Legroom Front/Rear (mm) | 1,074 / 960 | 1,054 / 1,125 | 1,170 / 885 | 1,051 / 1,112 |
| Shoulder Room Front/Rear (mm) | 1,501 / 1,471 | 1,501 / 1,463 | 1,576 / 1,515 | 1,516 / 1,469 |
| Trunk Volume (L) | 300 | 354 | 525 | 550 |
