Why standard AWD matters at this price point

In the flagship luxury sedan segment, AWD is often an extra-cost option or restricted to higher-engine trims. The base BMW 740 starts as a rear-drive car with xDrive AWD adding to the price. The base Mercedes S-Class is similar. The Audi A8 includes quattro AWD standard, but at higher base pricing than the G90.

Genesis includes Active AWD on every 2026 G90 trim at no charge. Active AWD continuously varies torque distribution between front and rear wheels based on grip, throttle input, and steering angle, biasing rear under acceleration for a more engaging feel and biasing front when traction is the priority. This is the same family of AWD system used in the higher-output Genesis vehicles, not a stripped-down economy AWD.

For Northwest Indiana flagship buyers, this matters. Lake-effect snow doesn’t ask whether you paid extra for AWD. Standard AWD on a $92,700 G90 means you’re not making the rear-drive vs AWD decision at purchase, and you’re not paying extra to get the traction you actually need.

Preview-Based Ride Control: an unusual flagship feature

The G90 includes Preview-Based Electronic Control Suspension on all trims with the air suspension system. A forward-facing camera scans the road surface ahead of the car. When it detects upcoming surface changes (potholes, expansion joints, ice patches, frost heaves), the air suspension preemptively adjusts damping and ride height before the wheel reaches the obstacle.

In practice, this means winter potholes on US-30 or I-65 are absorbed with noticeably less harshness than a non-previewing suspension. Frost heaves that would jolt a comparable luxury sedan are handled smoothly. The system isn’t magic, but in side-by-side comparisons with German rivals, the G90’s ride composure on rough Northwest Indiana winter roads is consistently better.

Snow Drive Mode: what changes when you select it

The G90’s Drive Mode selector includes Snow Mode alongside Comfort, Sport, Eco, and Custom. Snow Mode adjusts several systems together:

• Throttle response softens to prevent torque spikes that can break traction on snow or ice
• Transmission shift points drop earlier, keeping the engine in a lower-revs band for smoother torque application
• AWD torque distribution biases more torque to the front under acceleration for better forward traction
• Stability control intervenes earlier and more progressively, with less abrupt brake-pulse interventions
• Air suspension typically maintains a slightly higher ride height for ground clearance over packed snow

Use Snow Mode any time the road is visibly snow-covered or you’re driving in active snowfall. The mode change is immediate and the difference in throttle character is noticeable, especially on initial takeoff from a stop.

Northwest Indiana winter realities

Northwest Indiana winters are defined by lake-effect snow off Lake Michigan. The southern shore catches concentrated bands of snow that can produce 6-12 inches in a few hours while areas 30 miles south remain clear. The corridor between Hammond, Munster, Highland, Schererville, Crown Point, and Valparaiso is in the heart of this lake-effect zone.

For G90 owners specifically, this affects three things:

1. I-65 between Merrillville and Chicago is the most variable commute in the region. Conditions can change from dry to snow-covered between Crown Point and Schererville in a single trip. Standard AWD plus Snow Mode plus preview-based ride control handle this transition without driver input.
2. US-30 east-west across the region typically maintains better clearance than secondary roads but encounters drifting in open stretches near Valparaiso. The G90’s higher ground clearance setting in Snow Mode helps.
3. I-80/94 north-south through the Indiana toll road region sees high traffic plus lake-effect events. Stop-and-go in 4 inches of snow is where Snow Mode’s softer throttle calibration really helps maintain controlled forward motion.

Tire selection for winter

The 2026 G90 ships with all-season tires sized 20-inch (3.5T AWD) or 21-inch (E-Supercharger and Prestige Black). All-season tires are a compromise: capable in most conditions, not ideal in any. For Northwest Indiana winters, three approaches work:

1. Keep the factory all-seasons. Combined with standard AWD and Snow Mode, the G90 on all-seasons handles most winter conditions adequately. The tradeoff is meaningfully reduced grip on hard-packed snow and ice compared to dedicated winter tires.
2. Add dedicated winter tires on second wheels. A second set of 20-inch or 21-inch wheels with winter tires (Michelin X-Ice, Bridgestone Blizzak, Continental WinterContact) is the highest-confidence option. We can quote a winter wheel-and-tire package at our parts counter for any G90 trim.
3. Switch to all-weather tires year-round. All-weather tires (3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rated, like Michelin CrossClimate or Nokian WRG) sit between all-seasons and dedicated winters. They’re a reasonable compromise for owners who don’t want to swap tires seasonally.

Pre-conditioning and remote start for cold mornings

The Genesis Connected Services suite (complimentary for the first three years) includes remote start and climate pre-conditioning through the Genesis app. On a January morning, you can warm the cabin to your preferred temperature from inside your house before walking out. Heated steering wheel and heated seats can be pre-activated on the way out. The G90’s panoramic sunroof and front windshield have available auto-defrost that clears glass before you reach the car.

For owners commuting from Northwest Indiana to Chicago, this matters more than it might seem. A cabin pre-warmed to 72 degrees from the driveway, plus heated seats and steering wheel already at temperature, eliminates the cold-start commute discomfort that defines January in the region.

Frequently asked questions