2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax, a continuation of the model introduced in 2015, maintained its 2017 design updates into 2021. It offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto since 2017, with a 2020 infotainment system update. The 2021 lineup saw the removal of the Premier trim, leaving LS and LT trims. The LS featured 16-inch wheels, remote keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The LT trim added features like heated mirrors, remote start, and upgraded seating, with optional styling and driver assistance packages.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, while inheriting some styling cues from other Genesis models, boasted a unique appearance with quad LED headlights and a large grille. Its sloping roofline and ribbed detailing gave it a muscular yet sleek profile. The Sport Prestige model added distinctive styling elements, including 21-inch wheels and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70 featured an elliptical design theme, minimalistic controls, and a rotary gear selector. The interior offered various color options and luxurious materials, with base models having leatherette seats.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was powered by a single engine option: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. It came with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. While adequate for city driving, the engine struggled at highway speeds and was noisy. The Trax had a firm ride, especially over rough roads, but its tight turning radius made it maneuverable in urban settings. Competitors like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered more engaging driving experiences.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a 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 all-wheel drive. The GV70 included features like a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. However, the GV70 felt heavy and lacked the sharpness of rivals like the Acura RDX and BMW X3. It excelled in highway cruising but had a firm ride, even in Comfort mode.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax provided decent headroom and legroom in both rows, though rear seats lacked support for long journeys. It featured multiple storage trays and low cupholder placement for convenience. Cargo space was 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with seats folded. The front passenger seat folded flat for larger items, but there was no power liftgate option.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space, with front-seat headroom comparable to the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and rear-seat headroom similar to the BMW X3. Cargo space was 28.9 cubic feet with rear seats up and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The interior design compromised storage space, but included a covered storage cubby with USB ports. The Sport Prestige model had heavily bolstered front seats with heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were less intuitive.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax featured a 7-inch touchscreen with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, offering easy-to-use menus and vivid graphics. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Its tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly, complemented by a glass rotary controller. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 included a digital-key feature, a fingerprint scanner, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services provided remote camera activation and other features free for three years.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA but lacked a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. It came with standard airbags and a backup camera, with optional blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection in the LT Convenience Package. However, it lacked advanced safety features like forward-collision avoidance and lane-departure warning.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, lacking crash-test ratings due to its newness, came with standard safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot assist. It included eight airbags, with a front-center airbag for added protection. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and adaptive cruise control. The Highway Driving Assist system impressed with smooth control inputs but struggled with sharp curves.