As though we needed more proof that Hyundai Motor Group’s luxury arm has the Germans in its crosshairs, Genesis has placed an extended-wheelbase version of the G90 on the Asian market. Called the “Limousine Prestige,” the South Korean marque’s new model is a clear attempt to move in on Maybach’s territory.
While most agree that Genesis has done a rather good job of delivering legitimate lavishness at bargain prices, the addition of a limo will undoubtedly force it be held to a higher standard. Thankfully, this seems like the right car for the job. Whereas the G70 is focused on delighting the driver, the brand’s larger sedans sacrifice sportiness to make more room for comfort — a fair trade, especially considering it used to be the go-to formula for all reputable luxury vehicles before low-profile tires became the norm.
The G90 is soft enough to produce more body roll than we’ve grown accustomed to in modern-day cars. It’s not sloppy; it just isn’t terribly interested in thrilling you when it can make you feel like a safe and comfortable big shot. Ultimately, the driver’s loss — if it’s even fair to call it that — becomes the passengers’ gain. That, in addition to the G90’s already massive dimensions, makes it the perfect choice to be redone as a limousine.
At 216 inches, the stretched sedan gains almost a foot in overall length and can proudly proclaim itself to be even longer than a Mercedes-Maybach S. Genesis also added a smidgen of headroom for the Prestige. Quilted leather adorns just about every area a hand might accidentally come to rest, but it’s most noticeable on the upgraded reclining rear seats, which boast more levels of adjustment than anyone could possibly need.
Additional fancy-pants inclusions include an opulent rear console with most of the controls you’d find up front that don’t involve piloting the vehicle, wireless device charging, leg support for when you want to put your feet up, and dual headrest displays.
While you’ll find some subdued chrome detailing on the exterior and a bit of window tint, the Limousine closely resembles the standard G90 arriving on dealer lots in a couple of months. It even uses the same 5.0-liter V8 and eight-speed automatic transmission. It also receives all the standard equipment and driver-assistance features Genesis is surprisingly generous with.
This strategy helps the brand further undercut its German rivals. Things like multi-zone climate control, navigation, LED headlamps, adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping, and power-operated shades are all things you’d expect to see on a limo, but it’s already standard on the base, short-wheelbase G90, meaning Genesis didn’t have to add as much pricy equipment to build the stretch.
Adjusted from South Korean won, the Limousine Prestige starts at $138,941 (USD) — substantially less than the $169,600 entry point for a Maybach S560. Weirdly, that makes it sort of the value option in a segment where the very notion is gently ridiculous. Though we imagine it won’t be long before the model gets out of Korea, there’s little hope it will ever make its way to North America.
[Images: Genesis Motors]
The elegance is overpowering.
It really is beautiful
This is one area sedans have it all over SUVs, you’ll never see a good looking SUV limo
But Mr./Ms Bigshot still has to crack their head on a stupidly low roof. The guy opening the door is from the Rent-A-Runt agency all promo shoots use.
Why? In such a limited production vehicle? Like it matters to their CAFE score.
I cannot think of a brand that is better suited to offering a high end Asian executive style luxury minivan. Something that doesn’t exist in the American market.
There are actually after-market luxury editions of the Kia Carnival/Sedona in Korea and a few other markets like the Middle East (as they find the extra space and roof height preferable).
And a limo version of the G90/EQ900 (and Equus before it) is nothing new.
Been around for nearly 2 decades.
Pre-facelift G90.
Going all the way back to the 1st gen Equus.
Now I want some chocolate real bad.
I have wondered if any OEM would build a livery vehicle to replace the dearly departed Town Car. I am curious to see if this will be made available to US fleet operators….
I am digging that stitching…
That’s really nice.
Now we need an updated ad with screaming Maybach executives.
“https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY-5dn3t4xM”
So Hyundai is keeping the G90 in good stead while Cadillac plans on ditching the CT6 with the advanced Blackwing V8.
Maybe Lincoln will do a revised Continental based on the new RWD based Explorer. Even with a shift to CUV’s there is still a market for the upscale luxury sedan.
The CT6 was never meant to be Cadillac’s flagship sedan and it seems that we may very well see a 2G CT6 based on the VSS-R platform.
This time, the CT6 being properly positioned as Cadillac’s midsize competitor.
Those wheels are amazing.
I am beside myself at the thought of lace alloys returning to prominence.
The wide B-pillar makes it look like an aftermarket hack job, no matter how gorgeous it is inside. Mercedes solved that design problem much better by moving the rear doors forward and adding a window aft of them.
Exactly. Stretching at the B pillar rather than extending the C pillar is not a limousine but an aftermarket job. You are supposed to slip back into the seat and have your head provided with privacy, like Rolls Royce or Cadillac, when they were still making their own limos (Fleetwood 75).
exterior design – stretched Continental with different grill.
And the overly busy grille/front clip are its biggest warts, especially from a side view.
I had the precise same reaction.
Except, the limo version of the (pre-facelift) G90 has been around since 2015-2016 (predating the Conti) and basically hasn’t changed body-style since the 1st gen Equus limo (back around 1999).
I lived in Korea for just over 3 years and had a 1st Gen Equus. 2003 Hyundai Equus JS350. If I could have brought it back to the US, I would have. I loved that car.
I’m looking forward to reading the comments from the haters and cynics about how this is a gimmick to drive up sales of a dying car that nobody wants because of the platform its built on.
And the thing is, Genesis (and Kia) sell a good more sedans (worldwide) based on this platform than what Toyota/Lexus does w/ their top shelf RWD platform.
This will be the choice of South Korean government officials, to deliver them to prison, to serve sentences for official corruption.
At least they prosecute, convict and send to prison their corrupt elected officials.
Can’t exactly say the same about Japan.
It still bears a great resemblance to a Ford Fusion, a Honda Accord and at least half a dozen others. It’s just the pull-taffy version.
The interior is fantastic, though. The exterior… is nothing new.
And people say that the Mustang is basically a 2-door Fusion, which makes this G90 the 4-door Mustang that everyone says they want!