2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that embodied the Audi design language while maintaining its unique character. It featured an expressive front with LED headlights flanking the prominent Audi Singleframe grille, emphasizing width with horizontal elements. The body showcased crisp character lines, and the greenhouse resembled a protective shell. The rear was marked by bold, large taillights, contributing to its classy, modern appearance. The plug-in hybrid version of the Q5 sported S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, including standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels, further elevating its aesthetic appeal.

Inside, the Q5 maintained a classy and modern ambiance, packed with technology yet retaining an uncluttered appearance. Controls were smartly grouped by function, and the design unity was pleasing. High-quality materials, such as real wood and metal, were used throughout, with crisp lines where different materials met. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was strategically placed at the top of the center stack for optimal driver visibility. The second row was also well-appointed, featuring standard leather seating surfaces.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 inherited some styling elements from other Genesis models but maintained a unique appearance. It featured quad LED strips defining the headlights and taillights, along with a large, shield-shaped grille. The sloping roofline gave it a fastback look, while ribbed detailing added muscle to its profile. The overall shape combined SUV bulk with athletic, car-like elements, making it appear both rugged and sleek.

Sport Prestige models had unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia with big fake vents framing the grille, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark-finished chrome trim. The rear featured giant round exhaust outlets sculpted into the bumper. Inside, the GV70 had an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, with most controls housed in a thin elliptical pod. The design was minimal, with a touchscreen atop the dashboard and hidden air vents. A rotary gear selector and infotainment controller added a baroque spaceship feel. Genesis offered a wide array of interior color options, with Nappa leather upholstery and suede seat inserts in the Sport Prestige model, while base models had leatherette seats.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV enhanced the driving experience by adding 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque with a 14.1-kWh battery to the standard gasoline-only Q5 45. This resulted in a total combined output of 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque, well-suited to the crossover’s 4,665-lb curb weight. The electric motor worked with the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine, providing a boost function and backup during coasting and low-demand situations. This setup delivered convincing acceleration, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds, and impressive fuel economy figures of 65 MPGe combined. In gasoline-only mode, it was rated at 27 mpg combined. The battery pack could be recharged overnight with household current or in 2.4 hours with Level 2 service.

The Q5 PHEV featured a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive and offered modes for driving on battery power only, reserving battery power, or automatically driving in hybrid mode. The speed-sensitive electromechanical power steering had a wider-than-expected turning radius of 38.4 feet, which became a non-issue with familiarity. The four-wheel independent suspension, with five-link setups front and rear, provided good handling with minimal body roll and powerful, predictable braking.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two powertrains: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Genesis included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, suggesting a sporty intent. The Sport+ drive mode sharpened throttle response and held high revs, but the GV70’s chassis felt big and heavy, lacking the sharpness of competitors like the Acura RDX, BMW X3, or Porsche Macan. The steering was adequate but not precise enough for spirited driving, and the exhaust sound was unpleasant.

The GV70 was more comfortable on highways or through towns, but it didn’t set the standard for luxurious driving. Equipped with 21-inch wheels, the test car had a firm ride, even in Comfort mode, and lacked the solidity expected from a true luxury vehicle.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV exemplified the Goldilocks Phenomenon, being neither too big nor too small. Its smart packaging allowed the battery pack to be placed under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. It offered 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row, expandable to 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded. The second row provided reasonable legroom (37.8 inches), headroom (37.7 inches), and shoulder room (56.5 inches), accommodating two adults comfortably and a third for short rides. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation on the Prestige trim.

The front row featured cupholders, cubbies, and nooks for small items, with a small storage bin under the center-console armrest. The interior design was uncluttered, with everything functioning well and laid out smartly.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment. Despite the car-like roofline, it provided front-seat headroom comparable to a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom similar to a BMW X3. Legroom in both rows was adequate, and rear-seat visibility was good due to thin rear pillars. Cargo space was 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing it in the middle ground between the Infiniti QX50 and Lexus NX.

The daringly-designed interior compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. However, a covered storage cubby with USB ports was included for phones, and rear-seat passengers had their own climate controls. The Sport Prestige test car’s front seats were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions. While heating and ventilation controls were easily accessible, massage controls were buried in touchscreen menus, and posture assist activated unexpectedly.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV featured Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which was impressive and easy to use. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster offered three views: classic, sport, and dynamic, providing a customizable and futuristic tech experience. The color/mood-adjustable LED ambient interior cabin lights added to the customization. The Prestige Package included the Navigation Package, which worked with the hybrid system to optimize fuel consumption and battery usage. The Integrated Toll Module (ITM) was standard, offering compatibility with most toll road services in the U.S. A Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim, along with wireless Apple CarPlay.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered a standard 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The tile-based layout and crisp graphics were appealing, and the glass rotary controller with pinch-and-zoom functionality was high-quality and functional. Higher trim levels offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The digital-key feature allowed smartphone use in place of a key fob, and a fingerprint scanner could start the car and call up a cloud-based driver profile. Genesis Connected Services included a radar-based rear-seat monitor, remote 360-degree camera activation, driver profiles, last-mile guidance navigation, and valet mode, free for three years.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV hadn’t been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 gasoline-only model received top “good” ratings in every category except headlights, which were rated “marginal.” The NHTSA awarded the 2021 gasoline model five stars, with PHEV ratings expected to match. Safety features included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic, low-speed collision assist, power child safety locks, electronic stability control, electronic vehicle immobilization, an anti-theft alarm, LED daytime running lights, LATCH connectors, a rearview camera, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist, Parking System Plus, adaptive cruise control, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, being a new model, hadn’t been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. It came standard with lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver-attention monitor, 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, blind-spot monitoring, and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. Highway Driving Assist provided smooth control inputs but struggled with curves, limiting its utility.