2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was anything but boring, standing out among midsize SUVs with its distinctive design. Its wide headlights, long hood, and assertive trapezoidal grille made a statement, while the character line along the side echoed the sporty profile of the Supra. The rear taillights, reminiscent of a Lexus model, added to its unique look. The Highlander XSE trim introduced a more aggressive front end, with 20-inch wheels and a unique front fascia, giving it a sporty appearance. Inside, the Limited trim offered a luxurious experience with near-flawless fit and finish, tan leather seats, and wood details, making it a comfortable choice for families.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 inherited styling elements from other Genesis models but maintained a unique appearance with its quad LED strips and large shield-shaped grille. Its sloping roofline and ribbed detailing gave it a muscular profile, combining SUV bulk with car-like elements. The Sport Prestige model added character with big vents, 21-inch wheels, and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70 featured 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, making it a stylish choice for those seeking a unique and upscale SUV.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options. While not designed for high-speed performance, the Highlander provided smooth and predictable operation, making it a reliable family car. Its powertrain was comparable to competitors like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, though it fell short of the Ford Explorer ST in terms of performance. The XSE trim added suspension tuning for a slightly sportier feel, but the Highlander remained focused on comfort and practicality.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 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 lb-ft of torque. 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. The Sport+ drive mode enhanced throttle response and transmission behavior, but the GV70's chassis and steering lacked the sharpness of some competitors. It excelled in highway cruising but had a firm ride with 21-inch wheels, falling short of true luxury vehicle standards.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in providing comfort and convenience for families. It featured shelves ahead of the front seats for storage, a wireless charging pad, and ample legroom for second-row passengers. The third row offered limited space, but folding it down provided 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with both rows folded. However, the rear-seat climate control vents were positioned on the ceiling, which some passengers found inconvenient.

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 in place, expanding to 56.9 cubic feet when folded. The daring interior design compromised storage space, but it 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. However, some controls were buried in touchscreen menus, making them less accessible.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch option available on the Limited trim. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The 12.3-inch screen was bright and crisp, but some apps were limited to an 8-inch display area. The JBL audio system provided decent sound quality, though not exceptional.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Its tile-based layout and crisp graphics made it easy to use. The glass rotary controller added functionality with pinch-and-zoom capabilities. Higher trims 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 option, a fingerprint scanner, and advanced rear-seat monitors. Genesis Connected Services provided additional features like remote camera activation and driver profiles.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. It received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 included standard safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist. It also had eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. However, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time.