2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a clever adaptation of the Impreza hatchback, designed to capture the growing interest in crossovers. It featured rugged aesthetics, standard all-wheel drive, and a higher driving position, which were key attractions for buyers. The Crosstrek stood out with its black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and an impressive 8.7 inches of ground clearance. These changes gave it a more SUV-like appearance and character, enhanced by vibrant color options like Plasma Yellow Pearl. Despite its SUV mimicry, the Crosstrek retained the Subaru Global Platform, ensuring a refined driving experience, although the interior remained functional yet plain.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 offered a unique blend of ruggedness and sleekness, borrowing styling cues from other Genesis models while maintaining its distinct identity. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that added a fastback touch. The Sport Prestige model further enhanced its character with unique styling elements, including 21-inch wheels and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70 boasted an elliptical-themed design inspired by an airplane wing, with a minimalistic approach that included a rotary gear selector and infotainment controller. The interior offered a luxurious feel with Nappa leather upholstery and a variety of color options.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two gasoline powertrains. The Sport and Limited trims featured a 2.5-liter boxer-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, while the Base and Premium trims retained the 2.0-liter engine with 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on Base and Premium trims, with an optional CVT available. The Sport and Limited trims were CVT-only. All trims came with standard all-wheel drive, featuring torque vectoring and X-Mode for improved handling on loose surfaces. Despite its SUV-like stance, the Crosstrek's handling was predictable, with a comfortable ride and low wind noise, although the higher center of gravity resulted in noticeable body roll.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two powerful 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 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 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, but the chassis felt heavy and lacked the sharpness of some competitors. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising, though the ride was firm with 21-inch wheels.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek shared its interior dimensions with the Impreza hatchback, offering competitive passenger space but limited cargo capacity. It provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 55.3 cubic feet with them folded. While it surpassed some rivals in cargo space, it lagged behind others like the Honda HR-V and Kia Seltos. The Crosstrek featured a rear-seat reminder system and a convenient cubby hole with USB ports for front passengers, but rear-seat passengers had limited access to USB ports. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, offering good outward visibility.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment, with adequate legroom and good rear-seat visibility. It provided 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing it in the middle ground among competitors. The interior design, while daring, compromised storage space, with limited room for small items. The front seats in the Sport Prestige trim were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions. However, some controls were buried in touchscreen menus, making them less intuitive to use.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek featured the Starlink infotainment system with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered a Multimedia Plus setup with WiFi, SiriusXM, and an optional 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The system included large analog knobs and buttons for essential functions, ensuring ease of use. EyeSight driver-assistance features were controlled via steering wheel buttons, enhancing driver convenience.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Its tile-based layout and crisp graphics made it user-friendly. The GV70 also offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The digital-key feature allowed smartphone use in place of a key fob, while a fingerprint scanner provided an alternative. Genesis Connected Services included advanced features like remote camera activation and a radar-based rear-seat monitor.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The 2020 model, virtually identical to the 2021 version, earned the IIHS "Top Safety Pick" award. EyeSight driver-assist features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. However, the system's cameras were susceptible to obstruction and sunlight interference.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, being a new model, lacked crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. It came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality. The GV70's Highway Driving Assist impressed with smooth control inputs, though its lane-centering function struggled with curves.