2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered a diverse range of trims, each with distinct styling elements that set them apart. The base LS and popular LT trims featured different grille patterns, while the sporty RST boasted a slotted grille, blacked-out appearance, and 22-inch wheels. The rugged Z71 combined the LS grille with a blacked-out look, red tow hooks, and unique 20-inch wheels for off-roading. The upscale Premier trim added chrome accents and polished wheels, while the luxurious High Country featured a chrome bar grille and body-color mirror caps. The Tahoe's design was dominated by its grille, with standard LED headlights and expressive taillights. Despite its familiar design themes, the new Tahoe appeared more slab-sided, with larger wheels enhancing its overall look. Prices ranged from $49,000 for the LS to $72,600 for the High Country, with the Z71 trim we tested priced at $76,225, including various option packages.

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 gave it a fastback look. The Sport Prestige models added character with unique styling features, including 21-inch wheels and dark chrome trim. The interior had an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane's wing, with a minimalistic design and a rotary gear selector. The GV70 offered a wide array of interior color options, with Nappa leather upholstery in the Sport Prestige test car. However, base models came with leatherette seats. The GV70's design combined SUV bulk with athletic elements, making it appear both rugged and sleek.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options. The standard 5.3-liter V8, available in all trims except the High Country, delivered 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The High Country featured an exclusive 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel engine, producing 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, was available for all trims except the Z71. The Tahoe's 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with a four-wheel-drive system optional on most trims. The Z71 trim came standard with 4WD, hill descent control, and off-road features. The major engineering change was the adoption of an independent rear suspension, improving ride quality and interior comfort. The Tahoe Z71 impressed with its smooth ride, thanks to adaptive damping and air suspension upgrades. The 5.3-liter V8 and 10-speed automatic transmission provided ample power and a satisfying V8 rumble. The Tahoe's handling was commendable, with suspension upgrades controlling body roll and motion.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 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 character. The Sport+ drive mode sharpened throttle response and held high revs for quick overtakes. However, the GV70's chassis felt big and heavy, lacking the sharpness of competitors like the Acura RDX and BMW X3. The steering was adequate but not precise enough for spirited driving. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising, but its firm ride on 21-inch wheels detracted from the luxury experience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe benefited from a new independent rear suspension, improving passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel. The power sliding storage console provided ample storage options. The second-row offered a choice between a bench seat or captain's chairs, with the latter option proving comfortable. The third-row seat room was substantially improved, accommodating adults comfortably. The Tahoe offered 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 72.6 cubic feet with the seat folded, and a maximum of 122.9 cubic feet. These figures surpassed most full-size SUVs, except for longer-wheelbase models.

The 2022 Genesis GV70's interior space was mid-pack for its segment. Despite its car-like roofline, it offered comparable headroom to competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and BMW X3. Legroom in both rows was adequate, and rear-seat visibility was good. The GV70 provided 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, expanding to 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The daringly-designed interior compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. The front seats in the Sport Prestige test car were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions. However, some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a new digital platform offering enhanced computing power and cybersecurity protection. Standard highlights included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice-recognition system, and Chevrolet Connected Services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a tablet-like interface. The voice-recognition system was impressive, responding accurately to test prompts. The test vehicle included a wireless charging pad and a mid-grade Bose audio system. The Rear Seat Media system offered versatility, though it wasn't fully tested. The Tahoe also offered an available 15-inch head-up display.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly. The glass rotary controller offered pinch-and-zoom functionality. Higher trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 featured a digital-key feature, allowing smartphone use in place of a key fob, and a fingerprint scanner for starting the car. Genesis Connected Services included a radar-based rear-seat monitor and remote camera activation. The service was free for three years, bundling driver profiles and navigation features.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe came standard with Teen Driver, a rear-seat reminder system, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims or options added lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. Premier and High Country trims included adaptive cruise control and high-speed automatic emergency braking. The Tahoe's safety features worked as expected during testing, though the pedestrian alert could be distracting. A surround-view camera was recommended for maneuvering the large SUV. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of review.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 included standard safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also featured a driver-attention monitor and Highway Driving Assist with automated lane centering. The GV70 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. Highway Driving Assist impressed with smooth control inputs, though lane-centering struggled with curves. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of review.