A tale of two new top-line powertrains

How Korea's Genesis and Sweden's Volvo pack a meaty punch — in different ways

The Genesis G90 and Volvo S60 Polestar Engineered are two very different cars with one unique similarity: They're both flagship products for their respective brands. Each is a compelling way to spend just under $100,000 on something that's loaded, standing out as a top-line product in its automaker's portfolio.

The G90 Ultimate? It's the top-dog unit from Korean automaker Genesis. The S60 Polestar Engineered? It's Volvo's highest-performing sedan. Both machines pack a meaty punch, with 420 horsepower from the G90, and just five less from the Volvo.

But the machines go about developing their nearly-identical amounts of horsepower in very different ways.

The G90 rolls along with a strong presence, as well as some serious winter-driving swagger, thanks to its 5.0-litre, 420-hp V8 and H-TRAC allwheel drive. If you want big power, big luxury, and even bigger comfort that's enjoyable in all seasons, it doesn't get much better than this for the money.

The G90 is one of the best highway cruisers I've ever driven; the ride is excellent, and it feels solid, planted, and dialed in for the driver who wants a rolling luxury lounge where they can comfortably decompress and socialize on the go, with space to spare.

If you want something sportier, you have better options for roughly $90,000, but that figure isn't as hefty as you think, thanks to the exhaustive list of standard equipment.

Under the hood, the G90 is all motor: a 5.0-L, quad-cam V8 with 32 variable valves. No turbo, no supercharger, no hybrid. It's a very effective conventional modern V8, and one of the last of its kind. Drivers get 420 free-breathing horsepower, 383 pound-feet of torque, and the sort of creamy smooth operation and tastefully restrained sounds that signal the precision engineering behind how velvety this engine is.

Next, the S60 Polestar Engineered.

It starts a bit beneath the G90, at roughly $81,000. With 415 hp, this top-thrust S60 variant is slightly outgunned by the 420 served up by the Genesis, though the Volvo is the torque champion here, with 494 lb-ft, compared to the G90's 383. The Volvo is also smaller and lighter, by several hundred pounds.

The S60 Polestar Engineered lacks the exciting V8 power curve of the G90, which sees the acceleration swell and surge as the revs climb and the lovely soundtrack seeps in. The G90 is more dramatic and engaging when pushed. Though the S60 Polestar Engineered is technically faster, the G90 feels — to me, at least — more powerful and exciting when you get it working.

The S60 weighs less and packs a lot more torque, thanks to the electric motor that serves as the sole means of driving the rear wheels.

With an electrified torque boost, power hits harder and faster for more urgency and response.

The power arrives largely at once, and that's it — no rising action. It's more of a great big shove that stays on strong. It might be faster, but Volvo's little four-cylinder just doesn't stir the enthusiast's soul as much as the V8 in the G90.

But the S60 Polestar Engineered is the faster machine. It does the zero to 100 km/h sprint in 4.5 seconds, and that's nearly BMW M3/M4 territory.

The bigger and heavier G90 takes about a second longer.

The Volvo is also the more high-tech option here, and it shows in the numbers. The batteries that drive the rear motor self-recharge automatically as you drive. Since it's a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), you can even plug in to store a few dozen kilometres worth of electricity that gives you gasoline-free driving for a short while. By the way, the charging happens whenever you find it convenient — as long as you've got gas in the tank, you've got full power output and you're ready to go.

While the electrified driveline is a performance and torque enhancement, it's also the reason the S60 Polestar Engineered uses so much less fuel than the Genesis, while turning out similar power and even more torque. With the V8, the G90 uses an average of 13 L/100 kilometres in combined city and highway driving. With its heavily enhanced four-cylinder, the S60 Polestar Engineered sees that figure drop to just under eight. Plus, with short-range, all-electric capability after a recharge, you can probably get through your daily commute or errands using no fuel at all. So, which is better? A boosted and electrified four-cylinder, or an exciting and engaging V8 engine that's thirstier but has more personality? It depends on what you like.

As overall packages, it's apples to oranges. Both machines are compelling ways to spend the dollars, with the G90 perfect for cruising confidently while you relax, and the S60 Polestar Engineered offering a more athletic overall drive, with rocket-thruster torque for the enthusiast motorist who wants to try something electrified. Two powerful cars, two different ways — it's always nice to have choices.