2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Lexus GX presented a commanding presence with its massive spindle grille and 8.1 inches of ground clearance, standing tall at 74.2 inches. Its front end appeared ready to conquer the road, framed by large headlights that accentuated its distinctive face. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned with limited availability, offering exclusive paint colors like Nori Green Pearl. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's design seemed more suited for rugged terrains, with a short wheelbase and minimal overhangs. The interior, however, was a mix of luxury and practicality, featuring heated and cooled seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery, though it was marred by an abundance of plastic materials.

In contrast, the 2024 Genesis GV70 stood out with its sleek design, balancing brand recognition with unique styling elements. It was sleeker than its larger sibling, the GV80, and avoided the quirks of the smaller GV60. The GV70's design was both stylish and functional, with a hatchback-like rear window profile and distinctive wheel designs. It managed to blend SUV presence with luxury-car style, offering a more refined aesthetic compared to competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. The interior was equally impressive, featuring quilted Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and a distinctive dashboard design that set it apart from the competition.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While it didn't excel on paper compared to more modern engines, the GX's V8 offered a satisfying linear power delivery. Its towing capacity of 6,500 pounds was notable, though it lagged behind other SUVs. The GX's fuel economy was a downside, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. Despite its weight, the GX handled predictably, with strong brakes and a Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered a range of powertrain options, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors, delivering 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, with a Boost Mode providing 483 horsepower for short bursts. While the GV70 offered strong straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning didn't match the sportiness of some rivals. The ride quality was competent but not exceptional, and the Electrified model maintained similar driving dynamics despite its additional weight.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered practical interior features, with ample cubby space and a deep center console bin. The decision to retain hard buttons for controls was a welcome choice, though the abundance of buttons required some getting used to. The second row was comfortable, with captain's chairs and good legroom, but the third row was cramped and best suited for emergencies. The GX's cargo space was limited, with only 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 64.7 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 provided competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom than some rivals but more front-seat legroom. Its cargo space of 28.9 cubic feet with rear seats in place was better than some competitors, though less than the Audi Q5. The Electrified GV70's interior space was minimally impacted by the battery pack. The GV70's stylish interior design came at the cost of small-item storage, but it included features like automatic side bolsters for the front seats in Sport mode.

The 2023 Lexus GX featured a 10.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. While an improvement over the previous system, it lagged behind newer Lexus models in terms of graphics and responsiveness. The GX included a 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo and a CD player, but its infotainment technology felt dated. However, the GX excelled in off-road technology, with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) for improved on- and off-road performance.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 came standard with a 14.5-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch head-up display. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a rotary controller for added convenience. Genesis included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and a digital key feature, enhancing the GV70's tech offerings.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it included advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Despite its older design, the GX's safety features were commendable.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and Electrified models. While full NHTSA ratings were not available, the gasoline GV70 received a five-star overall safety rating for the 2023 model. The GV70 included standard safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and Highway Driving Assist, with an available Highway Driving Assist 2 system for added convenience.