2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Volvo XC60

The 2022 Genesis GV70 showcased a distinctive design that set it apart from its siblings in the Genesis lineup. It borrowed some styling cues, such as the quad LED strips for headlights and taillights and a prominent shield-shaped grille, yet it maintained a unique identity with its sloping roofline and ribbed detailing. This combination of SUV bulk and athletic, car-like elements gave the GV70 a rugged yet sleek appearance. 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 chrome trim. Inside, the GV70's interior was inspired by the cross-section of an airplane's wing, featuring an elliptical theme with minimalistic design elements. The cabin offered a variety of interior color options and luxurious materials, such as Nappa leather upholstery with suede seat inserts, although base models came with leatherette seats.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC60 exuded a sense of timeless elegance with its graceful design. Despite the aging theme, Volvo's style and design leadership remained evident. The XC60 Recharge model, with its Ultimate package and Dark exterior theme, looked particularly appealing with its 20-inch wheels and Thunder Grey paint. Inside, the XC60 embraced classic Scandinavian minimalism, offering a spacious feel thanks to the panoramic sunroof and supportive seat cushions. The interior featured black leather upholstery, complemented by wood trim, metal accents, and ambient lighting, creating an opulent atmosphere. The XC60's interior was designed for comfort, with heated rear seats and a crystal gear selector knob adding to the luxurious experience.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two powertrain 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). The GV70 also featured a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. However, while the GV70's powertrain could deliver impressive performance, the chassis felt heavy and lacked the sharpness of some competitors. The steering was adequate but not precise enough for spirited driving, and the ride was firm, even in Comfort mode.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge, on the other hand, combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 455 horsepower and 423 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed for an estimated 35 miles of electric driving range. The XC60 Recharge offered multiple driving modes, including Hybrid, Power, Pure, Off-road, and Constant AWD, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences. The XC60 Recharge was exceptionally quick, with a claimed 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds. The vehicle's updates included a more powerful electric motor, enhancing its performance and making it fun to drive. The XC60 Recharge excelled in both performance and efficiency, with an average of 54.6 mpg during testing.

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 the GV70 in the middle ground of its segment. The interior design, while daring, compromised storage space, with limited room in the center console and door pockets. However, the GV70 featured a covered storage cubby for phones and rear-seat climate controls. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, as a compact crossover SUV, was best suited for carrying four people comfortably, although it could accommodate five if needed. The front seats provided outstanding comfort, wrapped in Nappa leather upholstery with heating, ventilation, and power cushion extensions. The back seats were also comfortable, though legroom was tight for taller passengers. The XC60 offered decent storage space, with practical spots for smaller items in the center console and larger items in the door bins and glovebox. The cargo area provided 25.8 cubic feet of space behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The XC60 featured a power liftgate, a netted space for the charging cord, and a ski pass-through panel.

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 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 featured a digital-key function, allowing drivers to use a smartphone instead of a key fob, and a fingerprint scanner for starting the car. Genesis Connected Services provided additional features, including remote camera activation and driver profiles.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel, operated through steering wheel controls. The infotainment system, a Google Built-in setup, offered four years of complimentary access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play. The 9-inch touchscreen, though small, had excellent graphics and an intuitive interface. The voice-recognition system impressed with its accuracy, and the optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system delivered exceptional audio quality. The XC60's infotainment system supported both Android and Apple CarPlay, and climate system functions could be operated by voice.

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, which added automated lane centering to adaptive cruise control. Optional driver-assist features included Highway Driving Assist 2, which added lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. However, crash-test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) were not available for the GV70.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, known for its safety innovations, came equipped with Pilot Assist, Volvo's advanced driver-assistance system. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering capability, providing smooth and accurate performance on highways. The XC60 also featured Oncoming Lane Mitigation, which helped avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles. While the NHTSA had not assessed the XC60 Recharge for safety, the XC60 B5 and B6 mild-hybrids received top marks. The IIHS awarded the 2023 Volvo XC60 B5 and B6 a Top Safety Pick+ rating for the 2022 calendar year.