2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Acura RDX, especially with the A-Spec Package, presented a visually appealing design that balanced sportiness with subtlety. It avoided excessive blacked-out trim and traditional performance cues, instead opting for understated styling changes that suggested athleticism without overpromising on performance. The RDX was not designed for off-roading, as evidenced by the absence of oversized skid plates and fender flares, making it clear that this SUV was intended for daily driving and road trips.

Inside, the RDX A-Spec offered a sporty ambiance with quality materials and a unique cabin design. The interior featured front sport seats with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting, among other details. However, the gauge cluster's red markings on a brushed silver background were difficult to read, except at night. Despite this, the RDX's interior was a departure from typical compact crossover SUV cabins, offering a distinct and engaging environment.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 inherited some styling elements from other Genesis models but maintained a unique appearance. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that gave it a fastback-like silhouette. The ribbed detailing added a muscular profile, combining SUV bulk with sleek, car-like elements. The Sport Prestige models had unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark chrome trim, enhancing its character.

Inside, the GV70's interior had an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section. The design was minimalistic, with a touchscreen perched atop the dashboard and hidden air vents. The rotary gear selector and infotainment controller added a baroque spaceship feel. Genesis offered a variety of interior color options, and the material quality in the Sport Prestige model was luxurious, featuring Nappa leather upholstery with suede inserts. However, base models had leatherette seats instead of real leather.

The 2021 Acura RDX was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. The A-Spec Package did not enhance performance, but the standard 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and optional SH-AWD system improved handling. The SH-AWD system could deliver up to 70% of engine output to the rear wheels, enhancing the RDX's driving dynamics. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes, adjusting powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness.

The RDX A-Spec featured exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels with performance all-season tires, contributing to its handling capabilities. However, the lack of adaptive dampers in the A-Spec resulted in noticeable body motion on uneven roads. Despite this, the RDX was rewarding to drive, with precise steering, fade-resistant brakes, and a broad torque curve. The Sport+ mode added an aggressive engine sound, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The GV70 included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty intentions. The Sport+ mode sharpened throttle response and held high revs, but the GV70's chassis felt heavy and lacked the sharpness of competitors like the Acura RDX.

While the GV70 excelled in highway cruising, its firm ride on 21-inch wheels and lack of steering precision limited its sporty appeal. The exhaust sound was also less pleasant than expected. Overall, the GV70 was more comfortable for relaxed driving rather than spirited performance.

The 2021 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, offered impressive passenger and cargo space. The front seats were comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation in the A-Spec trim. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised by a low and flat cushion, resulting in a lack of leg support. The cargo area measured 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 58.9 cubic feet with them folded, providing ample space for most tasks. Acura also quoted a maximum cargo volume of 79.8 cubic feet, but this figure was based on unrealistic loading conditions.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 provided mid-pack interior space for its segment. It offered similar front-seat headroom to the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom to the BMW X3. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing it in the middle ground among competitors. The interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. However, Genesis included a covered storage cubby with USB ports for convenience. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering support for spirited driving but potentially feeling confining for some drivers.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the center console instead of a touchscreen. While the TTI mirrored the screen, making it more intuitive than similar systems, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The RDX included physical knobs and buttons for stereo and climate controls, smartphone projection with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and integrated voice-recognition technology. The A-Spec trim came with a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, delivering excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The tile-based layout and crisp graphics made it user-friendly. Higher trim levels included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 also featured a digital-key function, allowing drivers to use a smartphone instead of a key fob, and a fingerprint scanner for starting the car. Genesis Connected Services provided additional features like remote camera activation and driver profiles.

The 2021 Acura RDX came standard with AcuraWatch, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available with the Technology Package. The RDX earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 included standard safety features such as lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist. It also had eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. While crash-test ratings were not available, the GV70's safety features were comprehensive.