2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Audi Q5

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a distinctive design that set it apart from its siblings in the Genesis lineup. It featured the brand's signature quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, along with a prominent shield-shaped grille. The GV70's sloping roofline and ribbed detailing added a touch of athleticism to its SUV bulk, creating a balance between ruggedness and sleekness. The Sport Prestige model further enhanced its character with unique styling elements, including a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark-finished chrome trim. Inside, the GV70's interior embraced an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, with a minimalist design that incorporated a rotary gear selector and infotainment controller. The interior offered a range of color options and luxurious materials, such as Nappa leather upholstery with suede seat inserts, although base models featured leatherette seats.

In contrast, the 2023 Audi Q5 presented a refined exterior with subtle curves and angular accents, exuding a classy yet sporty appearance. It was available in two body styles: the regular Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which featured a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker silhouette. The Sportback's spoiler-like element above the taillights provided a more defined transition from hatch to tail section. Inside, the Q5 maintained a simple layout, though its age was beginning to show since its last redesign in 2018. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The Q5's infotainment system featured a 10-inch touchscreen, and while materials quality was good, it no longer felt as special compared to newer competitors. The Q5's sturdy build quality ensured a quiet and comfortable ride, making it a solid choice among luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful 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 (AWD), a feature not commonly found in competitors like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, which typically offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) as standard. The GV70 also included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, features more commonly associated with sporty coupes than compact SUVs. The Sport+ drive mode further emphasized the GV70's sporty intentions, sharpening throttle response and holding high revs for quick acceleration. However, the GV70's chassis felt heavy and lacked the sharpness of rivals like the Acura RDX, BMW X3, or Porsche Macan. While the GV70 excelled on highways, its firm ride and lack of solidity detracted from its luxury appeal.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices: the base 40 TFSI with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, the midrange 45 TFSI with 261 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, and the 55 TFSI plug-in hybrid powertrain delivering 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The Q5 Sportback was exclusively available with the 45 TFSI engine. All Q5 models featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD). The Q5 Sportback's 45 TFSI engine exhibited a noticeable delay in power delivery, likely due to the transmission's slow response, making initial acceleration feel sluggish. However, once underway, the Q5 provided adequate power for passing slower traffic. The Q5's handling was sporty and precise, instilling confidence on curvy roads. While the Q5 balanced compliance and cornering well, spirited drivers might prefer the higher-performing SQ5, though it came with a firmer suspension that affected ride comfort.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment. Despite its car-like roofline, it provided front-seat headroom comparable to the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom similar to the BMW X3. Legroom in both rows was adequate, and rear-seat visibility was good due to relatively thin rear pillars. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, placing the GV70 in the middle ground between the segment-leading Infiniti QX50 and the smaller Lexus NX and Porsche Macan. The daring interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. However, Genesis included a covered storage cubby with USB ports for phones, and rear-seat passengers had their own climate controls. 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 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since its 2018 redesign but had aged well. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned atop the dash for easy visibility, and traditional dials and buttons were provided for climate controls. Physical buttons for secondary vehicle controls reduced the need to navigate on-screen menus. Outward visibility was good, aided by a narrowly profiled front roof pillar, and the rear view was better than average. The Q5 offered ample space for taller passengers in both the front and rear seats, with headroom only slightly reduced in the Sportback model. Front passengers had several storage options, though some were oddly sized and shaped. A wireless phone charger was on a sliding tray covering the cupholders, and the door pockets were accommodating. Cargo space measured 25.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, with the Sportback offering 24.7 cubic feet. While the Q5's cargo space was slightly less than the BMW X3 and Genesis GV70, it was more than the Porsche Macan.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 impressed with its tech offerings, featuring a standard 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The tile-based layout and crisp graphics made it user-friendly, and the glass rotary controller with pinch-and-zoom functionality added to its appeal. 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 included a digital-key feature, allowing drivers to use a smartphone instead of a key fob, and a fingerprint scanner for starting the car. Genesis Connected Services provided remote camera activation, driver profiles, last-mile guidance navigation, and a valet mode, all included free for three years.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring sharp graphics and relatively quick responses. However, the system took time to boot up, and Apple CarPlay activation was slow. Both CarPlay and Android Auto were available wirelessly. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Q5's native infotainment system had large on-screen buttons for easy operation, but Apple CarPlay's app buttons were smaller and closer together. Audi Connect Care allowed remote monitoring and feature control via a smartphone app, with a limited-time subscription for services like a Wi-Fi hotspot. Mid-range trims offered a customizable digital instrument panel for additional information.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, being a new model, lacked crash-test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, it came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver-attention monitor, and Highway Driving Assist with automated lane centering. The GV70 also featured eight standard airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional driver-assist features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received high safety ratings, earning five out of five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, and side protection, and four stars in rollover tests. The IIHS awarded the Q5 its highest score of "Good" in all crashworthiness tests and named it a Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors. The Q5 Premium Plus trim added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, and traffic jam assist. The top Prestige trim featured matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, a semi-automated parking system, and a traffic sign reader.