2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a more conservative exterior design compared to some of Hyundai's more daring models. While it maintained an attractive appearance, it lacked the standout features seen in other Hyundai vehicles. The Santa Fe continued with the same design as the 2022 model, offering five trim levels: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. The Calligraphy AWD trim, tested in a Stormy Sea color with a black-on-black interior, had a base price of $42,600, with additional costs for AWD and other features bringing the total MSRP to $45,845. The Santa Fe's exterior was marked by its wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights, giving it a distinct yet understated look.

Inside, the Calligraphy trim featured a high-quality black interior with Nappa leather seats, which were both comfortable and visually appealing. The cabin, however, was somewhat dark and monotone, prompting a recommendation for a beige or gray interior for more visual contrast. The Calligraphy trim came with standard heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats, which were appreciated during varying spring weather conditions.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 stood out in the Genesis lineup and among its competitors with its sleek design and distinctive features. It retained certain Genesis styling elements like split headlights and a large grille for brand recognition, but it was sleeker than the larger GV80 and avoided the quirkiness of the smaller GV60. The GV70's standout details included a hatchback-like rear window profile, large round exhaust outlets on the Sport Prestige trim, and unique 21-inch wheel designs. The GV70 balanced SUV size and luxury-car style better than competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3, which lacked finesse, and the Porsche Macan, which struggled with SUV proportions.

The Electrified GV70 offered a subtle EV option with unchanged styling from the gasoline models, except for a shiny grille housing the charge port. This design allowed for easy charging station access, unlike many other EVs. The GV70's interior was one of the most 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 interior's unique appeal, showcasing Genesis's effort to differentiate itself.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque for the SE, SEL, and XRT trims, and a turbocharged version for the Limited and Calligraphy trims, delivering 281 hp and 311 pound-feet. The turbocharged engine paired with an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission provided a significant performance boost, with immediate acceleration and no noticeable turbo lag. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering, and the turbocharged model could tow up to 3,500 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. 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 its sporty rivals, and the ride quality was less refined, with the suspension crashing over bumps. The Electrified model maintained similar handling to the gasoline version despite its additional weight.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe benefited from not having a cramped third row, offering 41.7 inches of rear-seat legroom and 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Folding the second row expanded storage to 72.1 cubic feet, with additional underfloor storage. The Santa Fe's seat comfort was a highlight, with eight-way power driver's seats and heated front seats in SEL and higher trims. The Calligraphy trim featured a head-up display, premium interior accents, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the driver's seat height adjustment could push occupants too close to the steering wheel, and the wide center console limited leg and hip space.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom than some rivals but more front-seat legroom than the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. The GV70's 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats up was better than the Mercedes but less than the Audi Q5. Folding the rear seats provided 56.9 cubic feet of space. The Electrified GV70's interior space was minimally impacted by the battery pack. The GV70's stylish interior design limited small-item storage, but it included a dedicated phone storage nook and rear-seat climate controls. The Electrified model featured automatic side bolsters for the front seats, enhancing occupant security during spirited driving.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, offering a 4.2-inch color LCD display in lower trims and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in Limited and Calligraphy trims. The infotainment system included an 8-inch display in the base SE trim, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The system's customization options were impressive, though voice recognition had mixed results, particularly with music requests and climate control adjustments.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8-inch digital instrument cluster in lower trims, and a 12.3-inch unit with a 3D effect in higher grades. A 12-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Lexicon audio system were also available. The touchscreen's intuitive layout and the high-quality rotary controller made the system user-friendly. Genesis included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and a digital key for phone-based vehicle access.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Highway Driving Assist was standard on SEL and above, combining adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS, with high marks in crashworthiness tests.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's highest Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and Electrified models. While complete NHTSA ratings for 2024 were unavailable, the gasoline GV70 received four-star frontal and rollover crash-test ratings, and the 2023 model had a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and Highway Driving Assist, with an available Highway Driving Assist 2 system offering automated lane-change capability. The GV70 also featured a safe exit assist function and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.