2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Honda Pilot

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a distinctive design that set it apart from its Genesis siblings, despite sharing some styling cues. It featured quad LED strips for both 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 blend of 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 chrome trim. Inside, the GV70's interior was inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, with an elliptical theme that extended to the controls and door handles. The design was minimalistic, with a perched touchscreen and hidden air vents, while a rotary gear selector and infotainment controller added a touch of luxury. The interior offered a range of color options and luxurious materials, with Nappa leather upholstery and suede seat inserts in the Sport Prestige model.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Pilot underwent a complete redesign, adopting a more rugged and substantial appearance. Its upright grille and boxier styling not only made it look larger but also reflected its increased dimensions. The Pilot grew 3.4 inches in length, up to 1.5 inches in width, and 0.8 inches in height compared to its predecessor. These changes complemented the all-terrain-capable TrailSport model, which featured off-road enhancements like a taller ride height, unique wheels, all-terrain tires, and underbody skid plates. The interior took a more conventional approach, focusing on functionality and versatility. While it may not have been as visually striking as some competitors, it offered practicality and met class expectations for material quality. The Pilot emphasized function over form, providing a tidy and utilitarian aesthetic that appealed to those seeking a family-friendly SUV.

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 with standard 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 heavy, lacking the sharpness of some competitors, and the steering, while adequate, wasn't precise enough 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 2023 Honda Pilot was powered by a new 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available on all models and standard on the Elite and TrailSport trims. The Pilot offered quick initial acceleration and a pleasant engine sound, but it prioritized comfort over performance. It handled corners confidently but didn't encourage sporty driving, with noticeable body roll and light steering. The TrailSport trim added off-road capabilities with increased ground clearance and all-terrain tires, while maintaining on-road composure. The Pilot excelled as a family SUV, offering a comfortable ride and practicality for daily use and outdoor adventures.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 provided mid-pack interior space for its segment. Despite its car-like roofline, it offered comparable front-seat headroom to the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom to the BMW X3. Legroom in both rows was adequate, and rear-seat visibility was good. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing it in the middle ground of its class. The interior design, while daring, compromised storage space, with limited room in the center console and door pockets. 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 Honda Pilot's interior was more conventional, offering practicality and convenience. The entry-level trims featured a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, while higher trims upgraded to a nine-inch display. The Pilot provided ample storage options, including a dash shelf, a large rubberized shelf for phones, and a wide center console bin. The standout feature was the stowable second-row center seat, which could be removed to create a pass-through for third-row passengers. The second row offered generous space for adults, while the third row was less accommodating but suitable for short trips. Cargo capacity was impressive, with up to 22.4 cubic feet behind the third row, 60.1 cubic feet with the second row folded, and a maximum of 114.3 cubic feet, surpassing competitors like the Kia Telluride.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came equipped with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system's tile-based layout and crisp graphics made it user-friendly, and the glass rotary controller added a touch of luxury. 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 system, a fingerprint scanner for starting the car, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services provided remote camera activation, driver profiles, and more, with a three-year free subscription.

The 2023 Honda Pilot offered advanced technology, especially in higher trims. The EX-L trim and above featured a larger infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and USB ports in every row. The top Elite trim added a head-up display and a fully digital instrument panel. The infotainment system was responsive and user-friendly, with large on-screen buttons. Additional features included Honda's CabinTalk, a navigation system, Bose premium audio, remote monitoring via a smartphone app, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The TrailSport and Elite trims included the TrailWatch camera system for enhanced off-road awareness.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 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 a driver-attention monitor. It also featured Highway Driving Assist with automated lane centering and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The GV70 had eight standard airbags, including a front-center airbag. However, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time.

The 2023 Honda Pilot received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, and Honda expected top scores from the NHTSA. Standard Honda Sensing safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, traffic-jam assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims added low-speed automatic braking, front and rear parking sensors, and surround-view camera systems. The Pilot's safety features performed well during testing, with no false alarms and smooth adaptive cruise control operation.