2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Genesis GV80

The 2023 Genesis GV80 presented a sophisticated and graceful exterior with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille, embodying a stately presence at over 16 feet long. The Prestige trim featured 22-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its elegant appearance, especially with the matte Brunswick Green paint. The rear design echoed the quad lamp look with four-part taillamps above the dual exhaust, and the hands-free liftgate maintained a boxy style. Inside, the dark green quilted leather seats complemented the metal and matte wood trim, while the center console was highlighted by three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes. The two-spoke steering wheel added a unique touch, although the 14.5-inch infotainment screen seemed awkwardly placed atop the dash. Despite this minor annoyance, the interior was spacious and luxurious, offering a pleasant environment.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner retained a classic, albeit outdated, design, having last been redesigned in 2010. Its boxy shape and flared fenders provided a brawny stance, suitable for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model featured underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires, enhancing its rugged personality. Inside, the 4Runner showed its age with old-school styling and last-generation technology, including an analog instrument panel and a small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. The interior had hard plastic surfaces, but cushioned panels on commonly touched areas provided some comfort. The seat upholstery mimicked leather but appeared more like vinyl. Despite its dated design, the 4Runner offered excellent outward visibility and practical features for off-road enthusiasts.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the GV80 wasn't particularly athletic or quick, taking about five and a half seconds to reach sixty, it excelled in highway driving. The smooth power delivery and electronically controlled suspension, which adjusted to road conditions, provided a quiet and comfortable ride.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine generating 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The TRD Pro model featured standard four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case. While the 4Runner's powertrain specs were comparable to the Bronco and Wrangler, its transmission limited its responsiveness and fuel economy. On-road, the 4Runner felt slow, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration and a noisy engine. The soft suspension resulted in body roll when cornering and a floaty ride over highway undulations. However, the 4Runner's off-road capabilities were impressive, with features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select enhancing its performance on rough terrain.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 boasted a luxurious interior with features like heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated front and rear seats. The Ergo Motion driver's seat offered fatigue-reducing adjustments, and the Nappa leather seats were sumptuous. While a third row was available, its limited legroom made it suitable only for children. The GV80 provided ample cargo space, with 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 84 cubic feet with the seats folded. It also had a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. Additional features included Genesis puddle lamps, a digital key, tri-zone climate control, and an optional 21-speaker stereo system.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, though dated, offered practicality with easy-to-use climate-control dials and driveline levers. The front seats provided ample space, but the steering wheel's limited telescoping range could be an issue for taller drivers. The second row offered generous legroom, though headroom was limited for taller passengers. The 4Runner's cargo space was impressive, with 47.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 89.7 cubic feet with the seats stowed. However, the lack of remote seat releases in the cargo area was a drawback. The 4Runner featured a sliding glass rear window and a hitch receiver with a 5,000-pound towing capacity.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster and a head-up display. While the infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, the dial control offered a tactile experience, albeit with a learning curve. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, though not wirelessly. The GV80 also included wireless charging, multiple USB ports, and a remote smart parking assist feature, allowing the car to maneuver in and out of parking spaces without the driver inside.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the small eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model came with a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system, though road noise often obscured the sound quality. The 4Runner featured additional terrain controls in the headliner console, with dials for Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select, as well as buttons for differential controls. However, the pictogram labels required consulting the owner's manual for full understanding.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. A standout feature was the video feed of the car's blind spot displayed in the digital gauge cluster. The GV80 also featured Highway Drive Assist, which provided hands-on/eyes-up driving aid on approved highways. The NHTSA awarded the GV80 a full five-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS rated it "Good" for crashworthiness and "Superior" for front crash prevention.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with the NHTSA awarding it four out of five stars for overall and frontal crash protection, and five stars for side impacts. The IIHS gave it "Good" ratings for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests, but "Marginal" and "Poor" results in the small overlap frontal test. The 4Runner included safety features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot monitor. However, its alerts were often oversensitive, and some system sensitivities could be adjusted.