2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The 2021 Kia Sorento marked a significant departure from its predecessor's design, embracing a more athletic and muscular silhouette. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package added roof rails and a shark fin antenna, enhancing its rugged appeal. The front featured an expanded tiger-nose grille, flanked by headlights with running lights, while a silver accent along the side added visual interest. Despite the large D-pillar, the Sorento maintained excellent exterior visibility, aided by its big windows and panoramic sunroof. Inside, the Sorento offered a range of desirable features, including heated outside mirrors, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and keyless entry. The seating options varied across trims, with the SX Prestige offering the most comfort with 10-way adjustable seats and real perforated leather upholstery.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, while inheriting some styling elements from other Genesis models, boasted a unique appearance. Its quad LED headlights and taillights, combined with a sloping roofline and ribbed detailing, gave it a sleek yet rugged look. The Sport Prestige model added distinctive features like a model-specific front fascia and 21-inch wheels. Inside, the GV70's elliptical-themed interior, inspired by an airplane wing, was minimalistic yet luxurious. The touchscreen perched atop the dashboard, and the rotary gear selector added a futuristic touch. The GV70 offered a variety of interior color options and high-quality materials, with Nappa leather upholstery and suede seat inserts in the Sport Prestige model.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered a range of powertrains, with the most common being a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. However, the test car featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with all-wheel drive. The Sorento's AWD system included torque vectoring and a center-locking differential, enhancing traction in various conditions. The suspension setup provided a smooth ride, and the drive modes, including Eco, Normal, and Sport, offered distinct driving experiences. Despite its weight, the Sorento handled corners well, maintaining comfort for passengers.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came with two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four producing 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 were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The GV70 featured a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. The Sport+ drive mode enhanced throttle response and transmission behavior, but the chassis lacked the sharpness of some competitors. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising, though the ride was firm with 21-inch wheels, and the steering lacked precision for spirited driving.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, a three-row SUV, was best suited as a four-seater in its top trims due to the tight third row. The second-row captain's chairs provided comfort, with ample legroom in both front and rear seats. Cargo space was limited behind the third row, but folding the seats expanded it to 75.5 cubic feet. The Sorento offered practical storage solutions, including a phone spot with optional wireless charging, cupholders, and a center console bucket. While the total cargo volume was on the smaller side for a midsize crossover, it was comparable to compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment. Despite its car-like roofline, it provided adequate headroom and legroom in both rows. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The interior design, while daring, compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. However, Genesis included a covered storage cubby with USB ports for convenience. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2021 Kia Sorento featured an 8-inch touchscreen with hard buttons and knobs on lower trims, while the SX and SX Prestige trims boasted a 10.25-inch screen with haptic touch buttons. The larger screen required a physical connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and its layout limited usable display space. The Sorento offered ample USB ports but lacked USB-C options. The optional Bose stereo provided decent audio quality, though not exceptional. The navigation system needed improvement, but most drivers relied on smartphone integration for navigation.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 impressed with its tech offerings, featuring a standard 14.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The tile-based layout and crisp graphics enhanced usability, while the glass rotary controller added functionality. 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, allowing smartphone use in place of a key fob, and a fingerprint scanner for starting the car. Genesis Connected Services provided additional features like remote camera activation and driver profiles.

The 2021 Kia Sorento came equipped with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The surround-view camera system aided parking, though it could be overly sensitive. The Sorento received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with some trims receiving lower ratings for their headlights.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, being a new model, lacked crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. However, it offered a wide range of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and Highway Driving Assist. The GV70 also included eight airbags, with a front-center airbag for added protection. Optional features like Highway Driving Assist 2 and navigation-based adaptive cruise control enhanced safety, though lane-centering had limitations on curvy roads.