2021 Audi Q3 vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2021 Audi Q3 showcased a design that embraced the era of "postmodern automotive styling," with its massive corporate grille fitting seamlessly into its stout, chunky exterior. This design suggested utility and dynamic handling, though it primarily delivered on the latter. Inside, the Q3's cabin mirrored this modern aesthetic, with a dash design that prominently framed the center touchscreen. When the interior debuted in 2019, it was a standout, but as Volkswagen's designs caught up, the Q3's interior, while still refined, felt less unique.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 inherited 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 leaned more towards a fastback than an SUV. The ribbed detailing added muscle to its profile, combining SUV bulk with athletic, car-like elements. The Sport Prestige models further enhanced this character with unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark-finished chrome trim.

The 2021 Audi Q3 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The S-Line trim offered a more powerful version of the same engine, delivering 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This optional power unit, previously standard, was available for an additional $2,000, with the base MSRP reduced by the same amount. The Q3's performance was lively, with solid power for passing and engaging drive modes, including Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, and Off-Road. However, the base engine exhibited noticeable turbo lag under hard acceleration.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two powertrains: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The GV70 included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty intentions. The Sport+ drive mode sharpened throttle response and held high revs, but the chassis felt big and heavy, lacking the sharpness of competitors like the Acura RDX or BMW X3. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising but didn't set the standard for luxurious driving.

The 2021 Audi Q3 offered 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. While the space behind the seats was decent for a subcompact luxury SUV, the overall cargo capacity was subpar for the class. However, the Q3 compensated with ample passenger space, providing comfortable front seats and impressive rear-seat headroom and legroom, making it suitable for four passengers on a road trip.

The 2022 Genesis GV70's interior space was mid-pack for its segment. Despite its car-like roofline, it offered comparable headroom to the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and 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 of the segment. The daring interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. However, it included a covered storage cubby for phones and rear-seat climate controls. The heavily bolstered front seats in the Sport Prestige model offered heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2021 Audi Q3 featured a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Audi's MMI system, with logical menu navigation and standard Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. An upgraded 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation was available, along with wireless device charging, satellite radio, and a Bang & Olufsen 15-speaker premium audio system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit replaced the conventional instrument cluster with a customizable digital display.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Its tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly, complemented by a glass rotary controller with pinch-and-zoom functionality. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 also featured a digital-key option, a fingerprint scanner for starting the car, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services included remote camera activation, driver profiles, and valet mode, free for three years.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came standard with Audi Pre Sense and Pre Sense Front, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Lane-departure warning was also standard. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Additional available features were a 360-degree camera system, front-and-rear parking sensors, and self-parking assist.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, being a new model, lacked crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. However, it came standard with numerous safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver-attention monitor. It also featured Highway Driving Assist, which added automated lane centering to adaptive cruise control. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control.