Kelley Blue Book: Luxury sedans compared: The 2021 Genesis G90 vs. the Maserati Quattroporte

Below average: Lacks European brand cachet; stresses comfort over sportiness; traditional interior.

Consensus: The flagship of Hyundai’s
HYMTF,
-0.67%
luxury brand, the 2021 Genesis G90 offers high-end amenities and a full complement of standard features at a price thousands below its European rivals.

2021 Maserati Quattroporte

2021 Maserati Quattroporte starting price: $104,390

Above average: Beautiful design; powerful engines; Italian sports car pedigree; large trunk.

Below average: Expensive; reliability; fuel economy; some bargain-level parts; resale value.

Consensus: Expensive and exclusive, the 2021 Maserati Quattroporte is powerful, beautiful, and ridiculously quick, particularly with the twin-turbo V8. Reliability is not a strong point, and resale values are notoriously poor.

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G90 vs. Quattroporte: head vs. heart

Genesis G90

A full-size luxury sedan with loads of standard features and either a twin-turbo V6 or an upgrade 420-horsepower V8, the 2021 Genesis G90 is a very attractive option in its segment, priced significantly lower than many of its competitors.

While there is a Sport setting that improves throttle response and tightens up the suspension, the goal of the G90 is to provide its driver and passengers with a calm and comfortable ride on long journeys. Rear-wheel drive is standard, although all G90s can also be optioned with all-wheel drive.

Handsome and sophisticated, the G90 is well made and full of Nappa leather, smooth wood, and stainless steel speaker grilles. If there’s one complaint, the interior still has a bit of a traditional mass-market appeal. Despite its relatively low price, even the base model is extremely well equipped, with features such as heated/ventilated power-adjustable front seats, heated rear seats, satellite radio, a 17-speaker/900-watt Lexicon surround-sound system, and a 12.3-inch infotainment system.

Also standard is a suite of safety features, including lane-keeping assistance, forward collision mitigation, a 360-degree camera system, and blind-spot monitoring. Resale values are average, but as with all Hyundais, the 2021 G90 includes a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Maserati Quattroporte

One does not purchase a Maserati for practical purposes. No one actually needs a Maserati. It is a passion choice: expensive, questionable reliability, and with laughably poor resale value. But once inside the 2021 Maserati Quattroporte, you will understand just how special it is, how utterly Italian and sensual. With a six-figure starting price that can easily move past the $150,000 mark, the Quattroporte is a statement.

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Power goes to the rear wheels via a choice of two Ferrari
RACE,
+1.08%
-derived engines: a twin-turbo V6 or a twin-turbo V8 with 580 horsepower. Despite its size, the Quattroporte handles impressively, with a great suspension and standard rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available in the V6 model.

With a visual presence that can be almost sinister, the Quattroporte has a special feeling inside, with comfortable seats and leather upholstery throughout. There’s plenty of space in the rear for passengers, as well as a large 18.7-cubic-foot trunk. New this year is a 10.1-inch touchscreen that has large dials and is intuitive to use. If we have one issue, it’s that the 2021 Quattroporte still has some switches and dials left over from the Chrysler/Fiat days, not exactly befitting its price tag.

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Aside from the above-mentioned touchscreen, standard features include LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable steering column, and a powered rear shade. Infotainment includes Wi-Fi, a USB port, and wireless charging. Among the safety features are front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, forward collision monitoring with automatic emergency braking, rear collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and a 360-degree camera system.

Similarities

Fuel economy; choice of engines; optional all-wheel drive.

2021 Genesis G90 advantages

Much lower price; long warranty; more standard equipment.

2021 Maserati Quattroporte advantages

Presence; beautiful interior; larger trunk; more power; fun to drive.

Which one is right for me?

The 2021 Genesis G90 boasts a comfortable ride, a very reasonable price, and a load of standard equipment. In addition to comfort and convenience, it checks all the boxes by offering V8 and all-wheel drive options.

The 2021 Maserati Quattroporte is brash, full of leather, wildly expensive, and not terribly reliable, with the full-throated growl of a twin-turbo V6 or a twin-turbo V8. It’s more about presence than practicality.

Compare the specs:

This story originally ran on KBB.com.