You have to tip your hat to the executives at Genesis. While most American and Japanese luxury brands have walked away from full-size luxury sedans, this Korean manufacturer marches on with one of its best entries yet. Yes, sport utility vehicles are the top sellers, but thankfully there are still consumers who embrace the idea of a sedan as their mode of transportation. This week’s tester is the 2026 Genesis G90 Black Edition and sits as the brand’s top-tier model.
Back to black • Exterior Design
When a manufacturer produces a “Black Edition” of a vehicle, that normally translates to black badging inside and out, darkened trim pieces, and black wheels. Genesis has taken that a step further. Everything inside is black: the Nappa leather seats, wood trim, switchgear, and crystal knobs. There’s even black chrome on the centre console. This is what you call the “murdered-out” look. Some people like it and some don’t. I, for one, am a fan on this car and think it looks spectacular. You can get the G90 Black Edition with white paint, but what is the point?
The exterior design of the 2026 Genesis G90 looks like nothing else on the road. This car oozes presence, especially in this ominous Black Edition form. The exclusive 21-inch spiral-monoblock wheels look fantastic and complete the darkened aesthetic. Sadly, with large sedans not sold in significant numbers in Canada, most people will never see one of these up close. Those who did see our tester had a few double takes trying to figure out what it was. There is also a long-wheelbase version available in Korea that adds to its mystique.
Classic luxury • Interior Design
Inside is where people expect to be coddled and treated like royalty in this price range, and the 2026 Genesis G90 Prestige Black Edition delivers. While BMW or Mercedes-Benz models tend to throw everything plus the kitchen sink at you in terms of gadgets and gizmos, the G90 is straightforward and simple. Old school would be the proper term. It’s luxury without all the hoopla that could end up being very expensive to fix or replace. The craziest piece of tech is the self-closing doors – which work very naturally.
Build quality is excellent and on par with what you expect from established luxury brands. Compared to the Cadillac Escalade IQ we tested, the G90 feels like Genesis has been building flagship cars for decades. The materials are top notch, with a great mix of high-quality Nappa leather and natural wood. The way the dash integrates everything is quite impressive. Yes, the two large screens that house the gauge cluster and infotainment system take up a good chunk of real estate, but they are cleanly designed and well integrated. It’s simple and easy to operate, unlike other brands that install multiple screens just to look impressive.
Simple, effective tech • Infotainment
The two 12.3-inch screens are crisp and clear. They operate smoothly and without fuss; nothing complicated. You can control the infotainment system via the touchscreen, the black crystal knob on the centre console, or the steering wheel buttons. Genesis’ suite of surround view cameras and clever integration into the gauge cluster when changing lanes and parking makes life a breeze. Our Black Edition came equipped with the Bang & Olufsen upgrade, which includes 23 speakers and enhanced sound. It’s excellent, but I have heard better.
Passengers inside the 2026 Genesis G90 Black Edition are placed in an isolation chamber that separates them from the outside world. Dual-pane glass and extensive sound-deadening materials keep it as quiet as a church. The seats are exceptionally comfortable and feature heating, cooling, and massage functions. Those who want to be fully spoiled should opt for the rear passenger seat, stretch out, and arrive relaxed and in style. A final, important note on this front: Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard. This was a noteworthy omission in the recent past that has now been solved.
Quiet muscle • Powertrain
Our 2026 Genesis G90 Prestige Black Edition features the twin-turbo V6 found in the base G90, but adds an electric supercharger that produces 409 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. This electric supercharger is powered by a 48-volt hybrid system, helping eliminate turbo lag and provide the linear power of a V8 while adding extra punch. The engine is smooth and powerful, motivating this heavy sedan with ease, especially in Sport mode. However, don’t go hunting Mercedes-Benz S580s or BMW 760s anytime soon; they offer quite a bit more power, as expected. The G90 Black Edition can reach 0–100 km/h in about five seconds, roughly one second behind comparable German rivals.
While fuel efficiency is not typically a priority for buyers of full-size luxury sedans, the Genesis G90 Prestige performs well. Some writers have reported better-than-rated fuel economy. Official figures are 13.6 L/100 km city and 9.6 L/100 km highway for a combined 11.8. During our test week, which included extremely cold temperatures and extended warmups, I averaged 12.0 L/100 km. In warmer weather, I likely could have beaten the official combined rating.
Gliding over the road • Driving impressions
The standard rear-wheel steering has been improved to feel more natural compared to the G90 I tested a few years ago. Previously, the rear-steering felt a little over-eager to a point where it gave me motion sickness, which was a deal breaker at the time. It’s a vast improvement, and it feels very much like a big Mercedes in how it handles and rides. Even with the large 21-inch wheels, the ride remains impressively smooth over potholes and other road imperfections.
It’s not a sport sedan, and it’s not trying to be one. Body movements are well controlled and it handles fine, but it’s mission statement is to be a calm, dignified limousine, and it excels at that. It is effortless, relaxing, and satisfying to pilot if you understand what it’s trying to do for you.
The money question
The Genesis G90 starts at $118,000, placing it out of reach for the average consumer. In Canada, Genesis does not offer the base G90 without the supercharger, unlike in the United States, where a more affordable option is available. Our G90 Black Edition adds $3,500 to the sticker price and, for the wheels and added presence alone, feels worth it. At $121,500, the G90 Prestige Black Edition sharply undercuts comparable BMW and Mercedes-Benz models without feeling like a lesser option.
Wrap it up
The Genesis G90 was never expected to sell in high numbers, especially in Canada, but kudos to Genesis for keeping it alive. For 2025, only 38 units were sold in Canada – still better than the 28 Lexus LS500s sold during the same period. In the United States, 1,687 G90s were sold versus 1,082 LS500s. BMW sold more than 11,300 units of the 7 Series, and Mercedes-Benz moved over 6,400 S-Class models. You could quite easily make a case for this being one of the most exclusive cars on the road, and there’s a real value in that. That’s part of what luxury used to mean.
The 2026 Genesis G90 Black Edition remains a strong value in the segment – if you consider something over $100K a value play. Put the price aside and you have a luxury sedan that prioritizes classic luxury. It’s not a sports sedan and doesn’t pretend to be. The engine is powerful enough, the interior and exterior ooze sophistication, and the technology remains refreshingly straightforward. It’s distinct and classy like few other modern cars are.
