2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

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-finished chrome trim. Inside, the GV70's interior was inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, with a minimalistic design that included a rotary gear selector and infotainment controller, offering a luxurious yet futuristic feel.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition, based on the SR5 Premium trim, celebrated its heritage with retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, and bronze accents. This special edition exuded a nostalgic SoCal vibe, reminiscent of the 1970s, with its groovy stripes and bronze wheels. The 4Runner maintained its truck-based SUV appearance, appealing to those who appreciated its enduring design. Inside, the 4Runner's interior was practical and purposeful, with ample plastic surfaces that felt solid and of quality. The controls were straightforward and easy to use, even with gloves on, making it a functional choice for those who valued simplicity and reliability.

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), setting it apart from competitors like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, which offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) as standard. The GV70 also featured a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. However, while the powertrain could deliver impressive performance, the chassis felt heavy and lacked the sharpness of some rivals. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising but fell short of being the gold standard for luxurious driving.

In comparison, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The 4Runner offered both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) options, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. It featured a minimum of nine inches of ground clearance and various off-roading technologies, including Hill-Start Assist Control, Downhill Assist Control, and Active Traction Control. The 4Runner excelled in off-road environments, providing a sense of invincibility, but its on-road performance was less refined. The steering was heavy and slow, and the brake pedal lacked precision. Despite its flaws, the 4Runner remained a reliable choice for off-road enthusiasts.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment, with front-seat headroom comparable to a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom similar to a BMW X3. While legroom in both rows was adequate, the GV70's daring interior design compromised storage space. The slim center console and thin door pockets limited storage options, though a covered storage cubby with USB ports was provided. 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 Toyota 4Runner, on the other hand, featured a unique power-down back window in the tailgate, providing an immersive driving experience. While climbing in and out of the 4Runner required effort for shorter individuals, the seats were comfortable, with heated front cushions in the 40 ASE model. The second-row seating area offered good legroom and headroom, along with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The 4Runner's cargo area was spacious, with a minimum of 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seat, expandable to 89.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. The optional third-row seat, however, was uncomfortable and reduced cargo space.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 impressed with its tech offerings, featuring a standard 14.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The infotainment system's tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly, and the glass rotary controller added a touch of luxury. 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, a fingerprint scanner for starting the car, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services provided additional features, such as remote camera activation and driver profiles.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner had a more traditional approach to technology, with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with the option to transform the 4Runner into a Wi-Fi hotspot. While the display was smaller and the graphics dated, the system's functionality was excellent, with voice recognition performing well. The 4Runner's interior featured real knobs and buttons, making it easy to use, even with gloves on.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came equipped 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, which added automated lane centering to adaptive cruise control. The GV70 included eight standard airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2, which added lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner offered a robust set of safety features through Toyota Safety Sense, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trim levels. During testing, the adaptive cruise control provided smooth braking, though it was slow to accelerate after lane changes. The lane-departure warning could be turned off if desired. However, the 4Runner's crash-test ratings were less favorable, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a three-star rating for front passenger protection and rollover resistance.