2024 Toyota RAV4 vs 2023 Genesis GV70

The 2023 Genesis GV70 was a testament to luxury and style, drawing inspiration from its G70 sedan sibling. Its design featured split-bar headlights and a distinctive chrome line that elegantly curved from behind the rear window, giving it a coupe-like SUV appearance without sacrificing versatility. Inside, the GV70's cabin was a showcase of 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 dash featured a full touchscreen, complemented by a rotary dial and button controls, offering a tactile experience that was superior to touch capacitive controls found in some competitors.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 aimed for a rugged look, with aggressive styling cues like a frowning grille and angular body cladding. The TRD Off-Road model, which we tested, featured off-road-themed elements such as robust roof racks and fake skid plates. The RAV4's interior was all about practicality, with storage shelves, trays, and rubberized control knobs. The TRD Off-Road trim came with SofTex artificial leather upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. While the RAV4's cabin was utilitarian, it offered comfort and good visibility, especially with the optional digital rearview mirror. The RAV4's cargo space was generous, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 69.8 cubic feet with them folded.

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 pound-feet of torque, while the 3.5T model boasted a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The GV70's performance was a blend of power and refinement, with the turbo-four providing ample power for most situations and the V6 appealing to enthusiasts. The electrified GV70 used a 77.4-kWh battery and dual electric motors, delivering 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a Boost Mode increasing output to 483 horsepower for short bursts. The electric GV70 had a range of 236 miles and supported fast charging.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The engine required high revs to access its full power, and an eight-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The TRD Off-Road model came with exclusive off-road suspension tuning, an underbody skid plate, and all-terrain tires. The RAV4's performance was adequate for its class, with the off-road suspension providing a comfortable ride on rough terrain. However, the engine was loud and unrefined, and the RAV4's off-road capabilities were limited compared to more rugged SUVs. The TRD Off-Road model achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 28 mpg in combined driving.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 28.9 cubic feet with them in use. The GV70 came standard with a hands-free power liftgate and featured decently large cupholders in the center console. The front seats were comfortable and easy to adjust, but rear legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to slide their seats forward. The rear bench reclined for added comfort.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 prioritized practicality and utility, with a focus on storage and easy-to-clean surfaces. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex artificial leather upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The RAV4's cabin was spacious, with room for four adults and a fifth passenger when needed. The rear seat offered good legroom and footroom, though it felt low and lacked leg support. The RAV4's cargo area was generous, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 69.8 cubic feet with them folded.

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. The GV70 also included 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 Toyota RAV4 came with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, featuring a standard 8-inch and available 10.5-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The RAV4 offered several connected services plans, including Service Connect and Safety Connect, which were free for ten years. Remote Connect and Drive Connect were complimentary for one year, providing remote access to vehicle features and cloud-based navigation. The RAV4's infotainment system was sophisticated but had some usability issues, such as the lack of a multi-panel Home screen and a light font that was hard to read. The test vehicle had an active Drive Connect plan, and the digital voice assistant performed well, though it had some limitations.

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 Toyota RAV4 featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), a collection of advanced driver-assistance systems. However, the base LE trim did not include a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert. TSS 2.5 was adequate, with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems performing well on straighter highways. However, the RAV4 lost its Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) due to a Marginal rating in the latest small overlap frontal-impact crash test and an Acceptable rating in the latest side-impact test.