2021 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2021 Ford Explorer presented a classic yet modern SUV aesthetic, maintaining a family resemblance with its Ford siblings like the Escape and Expedition. Its exterior design was sporty, with raked belt lines and distinctive visages that set it apart from other brands. The Explorer offered a variety of trims, each with unique grille designs ranging from black to full chrome, and prices that climbed from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, the Explorer provided three rows of seating as standard, with the base model featuring cloth upholstery. The dashboard was clean and functional, dominated by an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a rotary gearshift that maximized storage space. The XLT trim was particularly popular, offering enhanced features like a power front passenger seat and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen, while higher trims included leather upholstery.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 stood out with its unique styling, borrowing elements from other Genesis models but maintaining its distinct appearance. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that added a fastback flair. The Sport Prestige model added character with unique styling features, including 21-inch wheels and giant round exhaust outlets. Inside, the GV70 boasted an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing, with a minimalistic design that hid air vents and perched the touchscreen atop the dashboard. The interior offered a range of color options and luxurious materials like Nappa leather upholstery. However, base models came with leatherette seats. The GV70's interior design was both daring and functional, though it compromised some storage space.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, at its lightest, weighed 4,345 pounds and was powered by a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine outperformed the Kia Telluride's V6, despite the Explorer's heavier weight. All trims featured a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque, while higher trims boasted a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, producing 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The sport-oriented Explorer ST delivered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, providing the most engaging driving experience among the trims. The Explorer excelled in towing capacity, ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, though it wasn't exceptional compared to competitors like the Chevrolet Tahoe.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two powertrains: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine with 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 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. The Sport+ drive mode enhanced throttle response and transmission behavior for spirited driving. 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 was more comfortable on highways, though the ride was firm with 21-inch wheels, and it lacked the solidity expected from a luxury vehicle.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base model, with captain's chairs in higher trims reducing capacity to six. It provided 39 inches of second-row legroom, surpassing some competitors but falling behind others like the Kia Telluride. With the third row deployed, the Explorer offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space, but its total cargo volume of 81 cubic feet was less impressive, competing with smaller SUVs.

The 2022 Genesis GV70's interior space was average for its segment. It matched the front-seat headroom of the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and the back-seat headroom of the BMW X3. 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 of the segment. The interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. However, it included a covered storage cubby with USB ports. The Sport Prestige model featured heavily bolstered front seats with heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered a fair amount of tech even in the base trim, including an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and an optional 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Explorer provided multiple USB ports and power points, with a wireless charging pad available from the Limited trim up.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, featuring a tile-based layout and crisp graphics. A glass rotary controller with pinch-and-zoom functionality enhanced usability. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 included a digital-key feature and a fingerprint scanner for starting the car. It also offered a high-tech rear-seat monitor using radar to detect a baby's breathing and a remote 360-degree camera system as part of Genesis Connected Services.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, achieving top scores in crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. It came with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including features like blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite, available on higher trims, added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features.

The 2022 Genesis GV70's crash-test ratings were not available, but it came standard with safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot assist. It included eight airbags, with a front-center airbag between the front seats. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The Highway Driving Assist system provided smooth control inputs but struggled with tight curves.