2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Ford Bronco

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 added a fastback flair, while ribbed detailing enhanced its muscular profile. This combination of SUV bulk and athletic, car-like elements gave the GV70 a unique blend of ruggedness and sleekness. The Sport Prestige model further distinguished itself with unique styling elements, including a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark 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, creating a baroque spaceship-like ambiance.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Bronco embraced a retro-cool aesthetic with modern engineering, making it stand out in the automotive landscape. Its blocky, upright shape, wide horizontal grille, and large round headlights were unmistakable, even from a distance. The Bronco lineup offered nine distinct trim levels, each with its own character. The Base trim exuded a primitive charm with steel wheels and minimal adornment, while the Raptor trim showcased a wide stance, elevated height, and massive fender flares. The Heritage trim added a nostalgic touch with a throwback white grille, roof, and wheels, along with unique plaid seat upholstery. The Bronco's styling wasn't just for show; it incorporated functional elements like cleats above the headlights for securing cargo and tree limb-lifter cables, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Inside, the Bronco continued its rugged theme with a broad dash, sealed switches, and waterproof materials, making it easy to clean after off-road adventures.

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 came standard with all-wheel drive (AWD). The GV70 also featured a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. The Sport+ drive mode further enhanced performance by holding high revs and sharpening throttle response. However, the GV70's chassis felt big and heavy, lacking the sharpness of competitors like the Acura RDX, BMW X3, or Porsche Macan. While it excelled on highways, the GV70's firm ride and lack of solidity detracted from its luxury appeal.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered a choice of three engines, starting with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. It was available with a seven-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic. The optional twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 engine increased power to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, while the top-tier Bronco Raptor featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 delivering 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case. The Bronco's off-road prowess was complemented by its on-road manners, offering a bouncy yet manageable ride. It tracked straight on highways and was quieter than a comparable Jeep Wrangler. While its high-riding dimensions required caution on curvy roads, the Bronco felt more confident than expected, aided by cameras for maneuvering the larger four-door model.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment. Despite its car-like roofline, it provided front-seat headroom comparable to a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom similar to a BMW X3. Legroom in both rows was adequate, and rear-seat visibility was good due to thin rear pillars. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing the GV70 in the middle ground between competitors. The daring interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. However, it included a covered storage cubby with USB ports for phones, and rear-seat passengers had their own climate controls. The Sport Prestige model featured heavily bolstered front seats with heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy shape paid dividends in interior space, offering ample room in both the front and back. The four-door model was more practical for shuttling passengers, as accessing the rear seats in the two-door required some effort. Up front, the Bronco provided numerous storage options, including netted door pockets and a rubberized tray for phones. It also offered accessory rails atop the dash for cameras or GPS trackers, with a USB jack for charging. Cargo space in the two-door Bronco measured up to 22.4 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 52.3 cubic feet with them folded. The four-door model offered 35.6 cubic feet and 77.6 cubic feet, respectively. However, the rear seats didn't fold flat, creating a step-up that hindered sliding longer cargo. The Bronco's removable fenders and doors added to its off-road appeal, with the Raptor's oversized fenders being non-removable.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 impressed with its tech offerings, featuring a standard 14.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The tile-based layout and crisp graphics made it user-friendly, while the glass rotary controller added functionality with pinch-and-zoom capabilities. 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, and more, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2023 Ford Bronco embraced technology to enhance its off-road capabilities. The G.O.A.T. drive modes optimized engine and suspension settings for various terrains, making off-roading accessible to novices. Seasoned off-roaders could manually select features like transfer case gearing and sway-bar disconnects. The Bronco's numerous camera views were invaluable in tight spots, with predictive lines aiding navigation. The Trail Turn Assist feature allowed for sharp turns by braking the inside rear wheel. The Bronco also offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Ford's SYNC 4 system. While most Broncos came with an eight-inch touchscreen, the available 12-inch display improved usability.

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, and Highway Driving Assist. The GV70 also featured eight 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. While Highway Driving Assist impressed with smooth control inputs, its lane-centering function struggled with curves.

The 2023 Ford Bronco received partial crash-test results from the NHTSA, with the four-door model earning four out of five stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded it a "Good" rating in most crashworthiness tests, except for head restraints and seats, which received an "Acceptable" rating. All Bronco models came standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, trailer-sway assist, and Trail Turn Assist. The Mid package added features like blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist, while the High and Luxe packages offered additional safety enhancements.