2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2023 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a testament to Land Rover's long-standing tradition of crafting luxury SUVs. It exuded class and elegance, with a design that was unmistakably Range Rover. The Velar's sporty yet sophisticated appearance, characterized by its long wheelbase, short overhangs, and trapezoidal roof, was a scaled-down reference to the larger Range Rover's iconic profile. The vehicle's exterior was further enhanced by features like pop-out door handles and taillight lenses with mirrors for added depth. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper, while the base Velar S trim level, with its optional Black Exterior Pack and 20-inch black wheels, offered a sharp contrast against the Fuji White paint. Inside, the Velar's cabin was sleek and high-quality, even in its base trim, with a polished black center stack and attractive white contrast stitching.

The 2023 Genesis GV70, on the other hand, drew stylistic connections to the G70 compact luxury sedan, particularly above the belt-line. Its design featured split-bar headlights and a strong chrome line that visually connected it to its sedan counterpart. The GV70's interior was a showcase of luxury, with top-notch materials and excellent fit and finish. The cabin's design was both contemporary and classic, with climate controls integrated into a curving bezel and a touchscreen that rose organically from the dash. The GV70's dash featured a full touchscreen backed by a rotary dial and button controls, offering a user-friendly interface. The gas-powered GV70 was available in two trims, while the Electrified GV70 offered two additional trims. The GV70's interior was well-equipped, with features like power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, and a hands-free power liftgate, making it a strong contender in the luxury SUV market.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a handling and steering experience unlike any previous Land Rover. Its lower center of gravity and lighter weight contributed to improved cornering and braking. The Velar's base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, available in two states of tune, offered 340 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque in the base S and R-Dynamic models, while the R-Dynamic HSE boasted 395 hp and 405 lb-ft, thanks to an electric supercharger. This powertrain, combined with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, provided the high performance expected by luxury buyers while reducing emissions.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 2.5T was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The 3.5T variant featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive. The GV70 Electrified used a 77.4-kWh battery pack, powering two electric motors for a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. The electric version offered a total range of 236 miles and featured DC fast charging capabilities. The GV70's performance was well-rounded, blending comfort and sharp handling, with the electric version providing a smooth and confident acceleration experience.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar offered a tighter interior space compared to midsize SUVs, with slightly more room than compact SUVs. Its stylish exterior design resulted in reduced headroom, especially for rear-seat passengers, and limited visibility due to thick B-pillars and small rear windows. Cargo space was limited, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet when folded. The Velar's design choices, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were seen as a drawback, with the P button serving dual functions for parking and engaging the brake. The Pivi Pro infotainment system, however, improved the user experience with a cleaner interface and faster operation.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 provided 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 28.9 cubic feet with the seats in use, offering above-average space for the compact luxury SUV segment. The GV70 featured a hands-free power liftgate and a well-designed interior with large cupholders and a helpful tray in the center console. While the front seats were comfortable and easily adjustable, the rear seats offered tighter legroom, requiring front-row occupants to adjust their seating position. The rear bench did recline, allowing for a more comfortable seating position.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was a pleasant surprise, offering a simplified layout with fewer icons and more logical arrangements. The system featured a voice assistant, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system could identify frequent routes and suggest traffic detours, while the 4x4 app provided detailed off-road measurements. The instrument panel offered various layouts, though the driving assist display was less detailed than competitors. Standard features included LED headlights, automatic high beams, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 came standard with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menu navigation. The GV70 also included four USB ports, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system. Available features included ambient lighting, a digital instrument panel, and the Genesis digital key. The rotary dial for scrolling and selecting was located near the vehicle's rotary shifter, which could lead to confusion.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been crash-tested by U.S. agencies, but it scored well in the European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) with a five-star rating. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technology, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring. The Advance Package on the 2.5T added a blind-spot camera system and reverse automatic emergency braking. The Electrified GV70 included most driver-assistance features as standard, with the head-up display available in the Prestige trim.