2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2022 Genesis GV70

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 profile, blending the visual bulk of an SUV with sleek, car-like elements. The Sport Prestige model further enhanced its character with unique styling features, 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 minimalistic design that included a perched touchscreen and hidden air vents. The interior offered a range of color options and luxurious materials, such as Nappa leather upholstery with suede seat inserts in the Sport Prestige trim.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 retained the design introduced in 2019, with six trim levels catering to various preferences. The Adventure trim, which we tested, featured a more aggressive grille with a repositioned Toyota badge, blacked-out wheels, and faux skid plates. While it exuded a rugged appearance, it was more of a style statement than an off-road performer. Inside, the Adventure trim added orange accents to the seats and center console, enhancing the otherwise basic interior. The RAV4 offered a frameless rearview mirror for a touch of premium feel, but those seeking a more luxurious experience might consider the Toyota Venza. The RAV4's interior provided practical storage options, including a shelf running the length of the glove compartment and generous door pockets.

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 added to the GV70's sporty character, enhancing throttle response and transmission behavior for quick overtakes. However, the GV70's chassis felt heavy and lacked the sharpness of rivals 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.

In comparison, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with front-wheel drive (FWD), with the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims offering all-wheel drive (AWD) by default. The RAV4 featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the RAV4's performance was more "unobjectionable" than "exciting," it compensated with a relatively quiet ride compared to competitors like the Subaru Forester. The RAV4 Adventure trim, with its 19-inch wheels and all-season tires, was more of a style statement than an off-road performer. The TRD Off-Road trim, however, offered a more capable setup with 18-inch wheels, Falken All-Terrain tires, and a TRD-tuned suspension.

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 them folded, placing the GV70 in the middle ground between competitors like the Infiniti QX50 and Lexus NX. The interior design, while daring, 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 Sport Prestige test car featured heavily bolstered front seats with heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4, designed to seat five, offered 37.7 inches of headroom in the front row and 39.5 inches in the back seats with the moonroof. While it provided less front-row headroom than the Honda CR-V or Subaru Forester, it offered more for rear passengers. Legroom measured 41 inches in the front and 37.8 inches in the second row, aligning with the CR-V's front-row space but falling short in the back. The RAV4's back seat was narrower than its competitors. The RAV4 excelled in storage options, with a shelf running the length of the glove compartment and generous door pockets. Cargo space measured 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, placing it ahead of competitors like the Mazda CX-5 but behind the Honda CR-V.

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 quality. 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 features like remote camera activation and a radar-based rear-seat monitor to prevent leaving children or pets unattended.

In 2023, Toyota introduced a new infotainment system for the RAV4, with an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard and a 10.5-inch screen for Limited and TRD Off-Road trims. The system supported over-the-air updates and included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The RAV4 Adventure trim featured an upgraded multimedia system with a 10.5-inch screen and an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version available for the Limited trim. The RAV4's tech offerings were a welcome update, enhancing the overall driving experience.

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 driver-assist features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. While crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available, the GV70's safety features were impressive.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with a range of safety features, including lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Higher-end driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control were also included. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available on the base LE model and standard on higher trims. The RAV4 was equipped with the TSS 2.5 suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, which included Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The RAV4 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, reflecting its strong safety performance.