2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its utilitarian roots, transforming into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Initially designed as a rugged, purpose-built vehicle, it had become a status symbol with a starting price of $92,000, which could soar to $250,000 with various upgrades. Despite its age, the Range Rover maintained a timeless design, with hallmark features like blacked-out windshield pillars and clean styling lines. Inside, it exuded luxury with an Ivory-color interior and a mid-century modern ambiance, although its infotainment system lagged behind newer models.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 offered a unique appearance while borrowing some styling elements from other Genesis models. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that gave it a sleek, athletic look. The Sport Prestige model added distinctive styling features, including 21-inch wheels and a dark chrome finish. Inside, the GV70 boasted an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing, with a minimalistic design and a rotary gear selector. The interior offered a range of color options and luxurious materials, although base models had leatherette seats.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover provided a range of powertrain options, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It featured a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, making it a capable off-roader. The adaptive air suspension ensured a smooth ride, while the Terrain Response 2 system helped navigate various terrains. However, its steering was relatively slow, and the vehicle's weight and tall center of gravity affected its handling on winding roads. The EPA rated its fuel economy at 20 mpg combined, but real-world testing yielded 18.5 mpg.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter turbo-four with 300 horsepower and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower. Both engines came 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. However, its chassis felt heavy, and the steering lacked precision for spirited driving. The GV70 excelled on highways and in urban settings, but its firm ride and lack of solidity detracted from its luxury appeal.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in an uncomfortable seating position. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for a small center-console bin. Luggage volume was also restricted, with a maximum cargo space of 59.8 cubic feet. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment, with adequate legroom and good rear-seat visibility. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The daring interior design compromised storage space, but Genesis included a covered storage cubby with USB ports. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, although some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system was not entirely intuitive, requiring users to set up preferences to avoid distractions while driving. The Range Rover also offered a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for digital owner’s manual access.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system's tile-based layout and glass rotary controller were user-friendly. Higher trim levels offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 also featured a digital-key function, a fingerprint scanner, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services provided additional features like remote camera activation and driver profiles.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Optional packages added features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and semi-autonomous parking. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, although the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered standard safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and Highway Driving Assist. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. While crash-test ratings were unavailable, the GV70 impressed with its smooth control inputs, although lane-centering struggled with sharp curves.