2023 Genesis GV70 vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Genesis GV70 was a testament to the brand's commitment to luxury and style. Its design drew inspiration from the G70 compact luxury sedan, with split-bar headlights and a strong chrome line that elegantly curved from behind the rear window. This design element cleverly suggested a coupe-like SUV without sacrificing versatility. Inside, the GV70's cabin was a showcase of luxury, featuring 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 dash was equipped with a full touchscreen, a rotary dial, and button controls, offering a user-friendly interface. The physical rollers on the center console and steering wheel were a nod to practicality, providing a tactile experience superior to touch capacitive controls.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-50 was a rugged counterpart to the CX-5, with a design that emphasized broad-shouldered proportions and square wheel arches. It was lower, wider, and longer than the CX-5, with a fresh design that set it apart from its sibling. The CX-50 was available in eight trim levels, with the 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition standing out for its active-lifestyle image, featuring all-terrain tires and a black hood graphic. The interior was pleasing, with an infotainment screen perched on a shelf and impressive material quality for a non-luxury brand. However, the CX-50's aspirations to move upscale were still a work in progress, with standard half-leatherette seats and manually-adjustable front seats on base models. While the CX-50 offered a sensible layout and adequate storage space, it didn't quite match the luxury credentials of the GV70.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a choice between two powerful engines. The 2.5T model was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, the 3.5T model featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, providing a refined and well-rounded driving experience. The GV70 Electrified model, on the other hand, utilized a 77.4-kWh battery pack and dual electric motors, generating a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. It offered a smooth acceleration and a Boost Mode for an extra burst of power. However, its range of 236 miles was on the shorter side for an electric vehicle.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine across all models, with turbocharging available on higher trims. The base engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged version offered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on 93-octane gasoline. A six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive were standard, along with Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes. The CX-50's driving experience was more aligned with other models in its segment, offering a good daily driving experience but lacking the sporty dynamics of the CX-5. The Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires added noise and limited grip, making it less suitable for spirited driving. Overall, the CX-50 was well-mannered but didn't stand out in terms of performance.

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, making it competitive in the compact luxury SUV segment. It featured a hands-free power liftgate for added convenience. The front seats offered a comfortable seating position, but rear legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to adjust their seats. The rear bench could recline, enhancing comfort for passengers.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly less headroom but more legroom in both rows. It provided 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded. While it had a bit more cargo space than the CX-5 with the second row up, it trailed behind competitors in overall cargo capacity. The available power liftgate improved cargo-area access, but the cargo area wasn't ideal for dirty or bulky items. The interior featured a sensible layout with adequate storage space, though more durable materials would have been fitting for the Meridian Edition.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The interface was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menu navigation. Genesis included helpful buttons and a rotary dial for control, though the proximity of the rotary dial to the shifter could lead to confusion. The GV70 came with four USB ports, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system. Optional features included ambient lighting, a digital instrument panel, and the Genesis digital key.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, controlled by a rotary controller and buttons on the center console. While wireless Apple CarPlay was standard, Android Auto required a cable. Higher trims offered wireless phone charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The touchscreen-free interface required adjustment but provided physical feedback for easier use. However, the infotainment system felt dated, with basic functions and plain graphics, making it suitable for buyers who preferred simplicity.

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's Advance Package added a blind-spot camera system, reverse automatic emergency braking, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The Electrified GV70 included most of these features as standard, with the head-up display available in the Prestige trim.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. However, it received lower scores for nighttime pedestrian detection and standard headlights. NHTSA ratings for the 2024 model year were incomplete, but the CX-50 received a five-star frontal crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more. Optional features included rear automatic braking, traffic-jam assist, and a 360-degree camera system.