Genesis G90 Trims Explained: What You Get at Each Level

Shopping for a Genesis G90 and seeing three trim names with three different prices can be confusing if you've never compared luxury EVs before. At Genesis of the South Shore, a Genesis luxury dealership serving Long Island from West Islip, we walk shoppers through this lineup all the time. Here's how the 2027 G90 trims differ, what each term means, and how to match a trim to the way you actually drive.

Start Here: What a Trim Actually Is

A trim is a version of the same model, built with a particular mix of motors, drive system and equipment. Think of it as a menu. The car's name and shape stay the same, but what's under the floor and inside the cabin changes as you move up.

For 2027, the G90 comes in three trims:

• RWD, the starting point
• AWD, which adds a second motor
• PRESTIGE AWD, the top of the range

You'll also run into MSRP, short for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. It's what Genesis recommends before taxes, registration, dealer fees, options or current offers. Treat it as a reference point for comparing trims, not as the number on your final paperwork.

One more detail trips up first-time shoppers. These G90 trims are electric, so you'll be comparing motors instead of engines. Efficiency shows up as MPGe, or miles per gallon equivalent, which puts an EV's energy use on the same scale as a gas car's miles per gallon. A higher number means the car travels farther on the same amount of energy.

With those terms in hand, comparing the trims becomes simple. Each step up changes one or two big things, and once you know what those are, you can decide whether they're worth it for you.

RWD: The Starting Point

The RWD trim opens the lineup at an MSRP of $46,250. RWD stands for rear-wheel drive, meaning power goes only to the back wheels, and it comes from a single rear electric motor.

That motor makes 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Horsepower describes how much work a motor can do, which you feel when passing on Sunrise Highway. Torque is the twisting force that gets you moving, and electric motors deliver it instantly, so even this entry trim feels responsive pulling away from a light on Montauk Highway.

Where RWD shines

This trim stands out for efficiency. It's rated 119/101 MPGe, the best of the three, because one motor has less to power and less hardware to carry. The first number generally reflects city-style driving and the second reflects highway driving.

In day-to-day terms, that efficiency means you get more out of each charge, whether you're commuting into the city or running errands around Babylon and Bay Shore.

RWD makes sense if you mostly drive on cleared roads, care about stretching your energy use, and want the G90's design and cabin at the lowest price of entry. It's also a smart pick if your garage or driveway makes winter less of a worry.

AWD: A Second Motor and More Grip

Step up to the AWD trim and a front motor joins the rear one for a dual-motor setup. AWD means all-wheel drive: the car can send power to all four wheels, which helps it hold the road on wet pavement, slush and the occasional snowy morning on the Southern State Parkway.

That second motor also changes how the car feels. Output climbs to 314 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque, a big jump in pull over RWD. You'll notice it merging onto the Sagtikos, climbing ramps and passing with a full car of passengers.

What you trade for it

More motors use more energy. AWD is rated 107/93 MPGe, still efficient but a step below RWD. Its MSRP is $49,950.

For many Long Island drivers, this is the sweet spot. Nor'easters, icy mornings and puddled roads near the water are part of life here, and AWD gives you extra confidence in that weather without moving to the top trim. If you can't always stay home when the forecast turns, this is the trim to look at first.

It's also worth a test drive even if weather isn't your main concern. The added torque is something many shoppers decide they want once they've felt it.

PRESTIGE AWD: The Top of the Lineup

PRESTIGE AWD sits at the top with an MSRP of $57,500. It keeps all-wheel drive and the same 314 horsepower as the AWD trim, so acceleration and traction feel much the same from behind the wheel.

So where does the extra money go? Prestige marks the top equipment level, which means the difference comes from what's in and around the cabin, not from more power. Equipment can shift from one model year to the next, so the best approach is to set its window sticker beside an AWD car's and circle the extras that actually matter to you.

A small efficiency trade

This trim is rated 102/89 MPGe, a little below the AWD trim. That's common when a car carries more equipment. For most drivers the gap won't change a daily routine, but it's worth knowing if you make regular long runs out east toward the Hamptons or Montauk.

Choose Prestige if you want the G90 with as little left on the table as possible and plan to keep it for years. Since the motors match the AWD trim, think of this as a decision about comfort and features rather than performance.

You can browse new G90 inventory to see which Prestige cars are on the lot and compare them in person with AWD models.

How to Pick, and What Comes Next

Narrowing three trims down to one usually comes down to a few honest questions:

• How do you drive? Mostly highway commuting on dry roads favors RWD and its efficiency.
• How much does winter matter? If you head out regardless of the weather, AWD earns its place.
• Power or polish? AWD and PRESTIGE AWD share their motors, so the choice between them is about equipment.
• What's your real budget? MSRP is a starting point, so plan around the full out-the-door cost.

A good next step is driving RWD and AWD back to back. The difference in pull is easy to feel, and it often settles the question faster than any comparison chart.

Getting the numbers together

Once you've chosen a trim, the money side gets easier. Genesis of the South Shore offers online tools to value your trade and explore financing from home. Approval and terms depend on your credit and the lender, so use those tools to plan and compare rather than as a promise of a rate.

Ownership matters too. After you drive away, you'll have our Complimentary Service Valet to lean on when it's time for maintenance, which is one less thing to work into a busy week on Long Island.