2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2023 Genesis GV70

The 2023 Genesis GV70 was a striking blend of luxury and style, drawing inspiration from its sedan counterpart, the G70. Its design featured split-bar headlights and a distinctive chrome line that elegantly curved from behind the rear window, giving it a coupe-like appearance without sacrificing versatility. Inside, the GV70's cabin was a testament to luxury, with top-notch materials and impeccable fit and finish. The interior design was both contemporary and classic, with climate controls integrated into a curving bezel and a touchscreen that seamlessly rose from the dash. The GV70's dashboard was equipped with a full touchscreen, complemented by a rotary dial and button controls, offering a user-friendly experience. The physical rollers on the center console and steering wheel were a nod to practicality, providing a tactile alternative to touch capacitive controls.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 maintained its rugged charm with six trim levels, including the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, which featured a two-part face design. The Adventure trim, which we tested, showcased a more aggressive grille, blacked-out wheels, and a faux skid plate, giving it a sporty appearance. Inside, the Adventure trim added orange accents to the seats and center console, enhancing its adventurous vibe. The RAV4's interior, while not as luxurious as the GV70, offered practical features like a frameless rearview mirror and ample storage options. The RAV4's design prioritized functionality, with fabric seats in the lower trims and synthetic leather in the higher trims, along with available heated and ventilated front seats.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a choice between two gas-powered engines and an electrified version. The 2.5T model featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, while the 3.5T model boasted a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine with 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, delivering a refined and well-rounded driving experience. The GV70 Electrified, with its 77.4-kWh battery and dual electric motors, generated a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a Boost Mode offering up to 483 horsepower for short bursts. It provided a smooth and confident acceleration, though its 236-mile range was on the shorter side for an electric vehicle.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4, on the other hand, came with a single gas engine option—a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the RAV4's performance was more utilitarian than exhilarating. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims featured all-wheel drive as standard, with the latter offering a TRD-tuned suspension and all-terrain tires for enhanced off-road capability. While the RAV4's engine lacked the pep of the GV70's offerings, it compensated with a rugged design and practical features for adventurous driving.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 provided 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 28.9 cubic feet with them in use, making it competitive in the compact luxury SUV segment. The GV70's interior featured large cupholders, a center console tray with a retractable lid, and a comfortable seating position for front passengers. However, rear legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to adjust their seats for rear passenger comfort.

In comparison, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, placing it in the middle of its class. The RAV4's interior provided 37.7 inches of front headroom and 39.5 inches in the rear, with legroom measuring 41 inches in the front and 37.8 inches in the back. While the RAV4's back seat was narrower than some competitors, it offered practical storage options, including a shelf above the glove compartment and generous door pockets.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menu navigation, complemented by a rotary dial and helpful buttons in the center console. The GV70 also came equipped with four USB ports, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system.

For 2023, the Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard, while Limited and TRD Off-Road trims received a 10.5-inch screen. The system supported over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Our RAV4 Adventure tester 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 on higher trims.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technologies, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The 2.5T model offered additional features in the Advance Package, while the 3.5T included them in the Sport Advance package. The Electrified GV70 had most of these features as standard, with the head-up display available in the Prestige trim.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 featured standard safety equipment across its lineup, including lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. The RAV4's TSS 2.5 suite of advanced driver-assistance systems 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.