2023 Genesis GV70 vs 2024 Subaru Outback

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 chrome bar cleverly suggested a coupe-like SUV without sacrificing versatility. Inside, the GV70's cabin was a showcase of luxury, featuring top-notch materials and excellent fit and finish. The 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 included a full touchscreen, a rotary dial, and helpful button controls, offering a user-friendly experience. The physical rollers on the center console and steering wheel were a nod to practicality, providing a better alternative to touch capacitive controls.

In contrast, the 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its rugged charm with a few updates. The Wilderness trim received a new front fascia and LED fog lights, while the rest of the lineup retained the look from the 2023 facelift. The dark gray cladding contrasted nicely with the Autumn Green Metallic color of the Touring XT model, creating an appealing aesthetic. The Outback's trims varied in their use of black and chrome exterior fittings, with the Touring trim featuring tasteful chrome accents. Inside, the top-trim model impressed with Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, offering a level of luxury unexpected from a brand known for capability. The Outback's interior was well-appointed, with different trims offering a range of materials from cloth to StarTex synthetic leather.

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. The GV70's turbo-four provided ample power for most driving situations, while the V6 catered to performance enthusiasts with its extra grunt and throaty engine note. The GV70's driving experience was a blend of comfort and sharp handling, making it a well-rounded luxury SUV. The Electrified GV70 used a 77.4-kWh battery pack powering two electric motors, delivering a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. It offered a smooth acceleration experience, with a Boost Mode increasing output to 483 horsepower for short bursts. The electric GV70 had a range of 236 miles and supported DC fast charging, replenishing the battery from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes.

The 2024 Subaru Outback stayed true to its roots with a "Boxer" horizontally opposed engine. The base model featured a 2.5-liter flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, were equipped with a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder engine, generating 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This turbo setup increased the towing capacity to 3,500 lbs. Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission were standard across the lineup. The Touring XT model's turbo engine provided a better fit for the vehicle's weight, offering a more satisfying driving experience compared to the base engine. The CVT mimicked the sound and feel of eight distinct gears, enhancing the driving experience. The Outback's suspension and reasonably sized wheels contributed to a comfortable ride, while the Wilderness trim offered increased ground clearance and all-terrain tires for off-road adventures.

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 came standard with a hands-free power liftgate, and the front seats offered easy adjustability for a comfortable driving position. However, rear-seat legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to slide their seats forward for more space. The rear bench could recline, enhancing comfort for passengers.

The 2024 Subaru Outback excelled in interior space despite its sleeker proportions. It offered more headroom up front compared to the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, and it provided ample front-row legroom. The Outback's cargo area measured 32.6 cubic feet with all seats in place and 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While the RAV4 and CR-V offered more cargo space with all seats occupied, the Outback came out ahead when the rear seats were folded. The Outback's feature availability was impressive, with dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat becoming standard on higher trims. The hands-free power liftgate was optional on the Premium trim and standard on higher trims, while the Onyx Edition included a power moonroof by default. The Outback's raised roof rails with retractable cross bars added to its practicality.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The touchscreen was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menu navigation. Genesis also provided helpful buttons in the center console and a rotary dial for scrolling and selecting, though its proximity to the rotary shifter could cause confusion. The GV70 came equipped with four USB ports, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system. Ambient lighting, a digital instrument panel, and the Genesis digital key were available features.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered a mix of old-school and modern technology. The Touring trim was the only one to include a CD player, while USB-C and USB-A ports were available on all but the base trim. The top-trim model featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen, with the base trim retaining a dual-7-inch-screen system. The Subaru Starlink multimedia platform included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with wireless connectivity starting from the Premium trim. Climate controls were managed through the touchscreen, with hard buttons for defoggers and temperature adjustments. Wi-Fi capability was available on all but the base trim, and most trims featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 came 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 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The EyeSight suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies was standard, offering features like adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, automatic pre-collision braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. Reverse automatic braking became standard starting with the Onyx trim, and blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert were included on the Onyx Edition. The Touring trim added a wide-angle camera, digital rearview mirror, and driver-attention monitor for enhanced safety.