2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson presented a fresh design on a new platform, offering a long-wheelbase model in the U.S. with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. Its front showcased Hyundai's new vehicle face, featuring a parametric grille that cleverly concealed LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. The illuminated lights formed a distinctive shape reminiscent of the Aztec Spirit Bird's wings. The Tucson's side profile borrowed design elements from the Hyundai Elantra, with a silver D-pillar creating a floating roof effect. At the rear, the Tucson sported LED-illuminated toothy taillights, setting it apart from other compact SUVs. Depending on the trim, the Tucson rode on 17- or 19-inch wheels, with high-end models boasting premium fascias, skid plates, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was well-appointed, featuring stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats, with options for sport combination and leather-trimmed seats on higher trims. The dashboard's horizontal lines and uncluttered aesthetic contributed to a sense of spaciousness.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 inherited styling elements from other Genesis models but maintained a unique appearance. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that added a fastback touch. The ribbed detailing gave the GV70 a muscular profile, combining SUV bulk with athletic elements for a rugged yet sleek look. Sport Prestige models added character with unique styling features, including 21-inch wheels with a web pattern and dark-finished chrome trim. The interior followed an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, with most controls housed in a thin elliptical pod. The design was minimal, with a touchscreen perched atop the dashboard and air vents hidden in a slit. The GV70 offered a wide array of interior color options, and the Sport Prestige model featured luxurious Nappa leather upholstery with suede seat inserts. Base models, however, came with leatherette seats.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain variants: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. The ICE engine delivered 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While not particularly inspiring, it was competent and efficient, targeting 28 mpg combined. The hybrid powertrain, with 226 total system horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, provided a more engaging driving experience. The Tucson Hybrid outperformed competitors like the Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. All-wheel drive was standard on the hybrid and available on ICE models, offering impressive performance in off-road testing. The Tucson Hybrid achieved 37 mpg combined, while the plug-in hybrid version, with a 13.8-kilowatt-hour battery, promised an estimated 261 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful in the lineup.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two powerful engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, a feature not commonly found in competitors like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, which typically offer rear-wheel drive. The GV70 also included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, features more commonly associated with sporty coupes. The Sport+ drive mode added aggression, holding high revs and sharpening throttle response for quick overtakes. However, the GV70's chassis felt heavy and lacked the sharpness of competitors like the Acura RDX, BMW X3, or Porsche Macan. While the GV70 excelled on highways, its steering was not precise enough for spirited driving, and the exhaust sound was less than pleasant.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, a budget-friendly compact SUV, offered a surprisingly upscale interior. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat as standard, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. The cabin was spacious, providing ample room for passengers and cargo. While the front legroom was slightly less than the Subaru Forester, the rear seats offered two inches more legroom than the Toyota RAV4. The Tucson's cabin comfortably accommodated a family of four for road trips, with a 60-40 split-folding bench seat in the rear and a dual-level cargo floor in ICE models. A hands-free liftgate was available on mid-grade models and up, adding convenience to the Tucson's practicality.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered a daringly-designed interior with an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane's wing. The slim center console and thin door pockets limited storage space, but a covered storage cubby with USB ports was included. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, ideal for spirited driving but potentially uncomfortable for some. The GV70 provided the same front-seat headroom as a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and the same back-seat headroom as a BMW X3, though it didn't lead the segment in measurements. With 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, the GV70 offered competitive cargo capacity. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed their own climate controls, and the daring interior design added a touch of luxury.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with a strong set of standard tech features, including a 4.2-inch multi-information display, LED daytime running lights, and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen available on higher trims. The touchscreen was embedded within a larger black plastic head unit, which also housed climate control and radio/media functionality. The system's touchpoints were responsive, though the narrow steering wheel controls were less user-friendly. The Tucson also offered a fully digital instrument cluster on higher trims, along with satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, and dual-zone automatic climate control with ionizer functionality.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered a wealth of tech features, including a standard infotainment system with a tile-based layout and crisp graphics. The glass rotary controller was both high-quality and functional, with integrated pinch-and-zoom functionality. 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 fingerprint scanner for starting the car and accessing a cloud-based driver profile. The rear-seat monitors used radar to detect a baby's breathing, and a 360-degree camera system was available. Genesis included a three-year complimentary package with driver profiles, last-mile guidance navigation, and a valet mode.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not yet been tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, it came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot warning with collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert with collision avoidance assist, safe exit warning, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, and a surround-view camera system. Hyundai also offered a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, and a 7-year anti-perforation warranty, along with 3 years/36,000 miles of complimentary normal oil changes and tire rotations.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of review. However, it came standard with a range of safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver-attention monitor, and Highway Driving Assist. The GV70 also featured eight standard airbags, including a front-center airbag. Highway Driving Assist provided smooth control inputs but had limitations with certain curves. The GV70's safety features were comprehensive, offering a high level of protection for occupants.