2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2023 Honda HR-V underwent a significant styling transformation, shedding some of its previous quirky charm for a more sophisticated and modern appearance. The lowered beltline and simplified detailing contributed to a sleeker look, with cleaner lines and fewer interruptions. The windshield wipers were discreetly tucked under the hood's lip, and the black molding strips on the roof were removed. The EX-L model we tested featured a Nordic Forest Pearl color, adding to its refined aesthetic. Inside, the HR-V's interior echoed the refinement trend set by the 2022 Civic, with premium touches like a metal honeycomb grille and touch-sensitive lights. The EX-L trim offered perforated leather seats, dual-zone climate control, and a power moonroof, creating a comfortable and upscale cabin experience.

In contrast, the 2024 Genesis GV70 stood out with its sleek design and luxury-car style. It retained signature Genesis styling features like split headlights and a large grille, while offering a more streamlined profile compared to its larger sibling, the GV80. The GV70's design struck a balance between SUV presence and luxury aesthetics, surpassing competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 in finesse. The interior was distinctive, featuring quilted Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and unique details like an elliptical pod for climate controls and a rotary infotainment controller. The dashboard's rounded cross-section added to the sense of thoughtful design, making the GV70's interior memorable and luxurious.

The 2023 Honda HR-V was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. This marked an improvement over the previous model, with a 17 hp and 11 lb-ft increase. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) featured a Step-Shift function to mimic traditional automatic transmission sounds. The HR-V offered Normal, Snow, and ECON drive modes, with Sport mode available for a more dynamic driving experience. Despite updates for a quieter cabin, the HR-V remained noticeably noisy at higher speeds. The SUV's front and fully independent rear suspensions, along with widened tracks, contributed to a surprisingly fun driving experience, though it lacked the power of some competitors.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered a range of powertrain options. The gasoline GV70 came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, while a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 was available, delivering 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors producing a combined 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a Boost Mode providing 483 hp for short bursts. While the GV70 offered strong straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning didn't match the sportiness of rivals like the Acura RDX or BMW X3. The suspension tended to crash over bumps, and the ride quality was average for its class. The Electrified GV70 maintained similar driving dynamics to the gasoline model, with the added benefit of adjustable regenerative braking.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior despite its compact size. The center console featured a shelf for drive mode controls and USB ports, providing convenient storage options. The HR-V's fastback design sacrificed minimal rear-seat headroom, with 39.4 inches in the front and 38.0 inches in the rear. Cargo space measured 24.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 55.1 cubic feet with them folded. The HR-V's passenger volume varied slightly between trims, with the EX-L offering 97.3 cubic feet. The rear seats featured a 60/40 split and a nearly flat floor when folded, enhancing versatility.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered competitive interior space compared to rivals. It had slightly less headroom than the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, but provided more front-seat legroom than the BMW and Mercedes. The GV70's cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing the Mercedes but falling short of the Audi. The Electrified GV70's interior space was minimally impacted by the battery pack, with slight reductions in legroom and headroom. The GV70's stylish interior design came at the cost of limited small-item storage, though it included a dedicated phone storage nook and rear-seat climate controls.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a tablet-style infotainment system with a physical knob for power and volume control. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, with wireless versions available on the EX-L. The EX-L also boasted a 9-inch infotainment display, a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad, and an eight-speaker audio system. The HR-V's infotainment system included a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a Smart Shortcuts feature that adapted to user preferences. Sport trims added Smart Entry, remote start, and walkaway auto lock.

The 2024 Genesis GV70's infotainment system, while simpler than rivals, offered a user-friendly experience. All models came with a 14.5-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The 16-speaker Lexicon audio system provided high-quality sound. The touchscreen's intuitive layout and rotary controller made it easy to use. Genesis included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and digital key functionality, allowing a phone to replace the key fob.

The 2023 Honda HR-V came standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and automatic high-beams. The HR-V's safety features were generally unobtrusive, with a single-camera system providing a wide field of vision. While the 2023 HR-V hadn't been crash-tested, the 2022 model received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and Electrified models. While complete NHTSA ratings were unavailable, the gasoline GV70 received four-star frontal and rollover crash-test ratings. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and Highway Driving Assist. The more advanced Highway Driving Assist 2 system offered automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Genesis also provided high-tech safety features like safe exit assist and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.