2023 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 showcased a design that was both familiar and fresh. Its styling was characterized by a blunt nose, long hood, and a rakish windshield, with the cabin positioned towards the rear wheels, embodying the subtle allure that Mazda vehicles have been known for over the past decade. However, the CX-50 introduced a rugged aesthetic with its pronounced fender swells, bold lower body cladding, and faux skid plates, which were common among crossovers mimicking SUVs. The oversized air intake and vent designs added a performance edge without being visually jarring. When combined with the standard black grille, mirror caps, and optional 20-inch wheels, these elements created an appealing exterior. The introduction of the CX-50 Meridian Edition later in the model year promised exclusive features like all-terrain tires and a roof-mounted load platform.

In contrast, the 2023 Genesis GV70 drew stylistic inspiration from the G70 compact luxury sedan, particularly above the belt-line. The split-bar headlights and a strong chrome line that curved from behind the rear window visually linked the GV70 to its sedan counterpart, hinting at a coupe-like SUV design without sacrificing versatility. Inside, the GV70's cabin was a testament to luxury, with top-notch materials and impeccable fit and finish. The 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 backed by a rotary dial and button controls, offering a user-friendly interface. The physical rollers on the center console and steering wheel were a nod to practicality, providing a better experience than touch capacitive controls.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options. The 2.5 S model featured a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 186 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. Mazda estimated a combined fuel economy of 27 mpg for this version. For those seeking more power, the 2.5 Turbo variant provided a turbocharged engine producing between 227 hp and 256 hp, depending on the fuel type. Torque ranged from 310 lb-ft on regular gas to 320 lb-ft on premium fuel. The turbo model had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, an increase from the 2,000 pounds of the base model. Despite Mazda's prediction of 25 mpg in combined driving for the turbo, real-world tests averaged 23.4 mpg. The CX-50's driving experience was smooth, with minimal turbo lag and a deliberate power build. The SUV's G-Vectoring Control technology ensured consistent vehicle behavior across different driving modes, though the differences were subtle.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The GV70's turbo-four provided ample power for most driving scenarios, while the V6 catered to performance enthusiasts with its robust output and engaging engine note. The GV70 balanced comfort and handling, offering a refined driving experience. The Electrified GV70 featured a 77.4-kWh battery powering dual electric motors, delivering a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. A Boost Mode temporarily increased output to 483 horsepower. The electric GV70 had a range of 236 miles and supported fast charging, replenishing the battery from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50's interior was designed for comfort and practicality. The test vehicle featured power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated side mirrors, though these features were unnecessary on a warm day in Southern California. The ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control effectively maintained cabin comfort. The front seats were comfortable for long drives, though additional side bolstering would have been beneficial. The rear seat offered ample space for adults, with rear air vents and charging ports available on most trims. The rear doors opened wide, facilitating easy entry and exit. Cargo space was adequate, with 31.4 cubic feet available behind the rear seats and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The load floor was long but narrow between the wheel wells, with side bins and hooks for securing items.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 provided 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 28.9 cubic feet with the seats in use, which was above average for the compact luxury SUV segment. A hands-free power liftgate was standard. The front cabin featured large cupholders in the center console, though the in-door holders were limited in size. A tray with a retractable lid and a center console bin offered additional storage. Front-seat occupants could easily find a comfortable seating position, but rear legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to adjust their seats. The rear bench reclined for added comfort.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 came equipped with the Mazda Connect infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services, which included a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. The base 2.5 S model had an 8.8-inch display, while other trims offered a larger 10.25-inch display. Historically, Mazda Connect lacked touchscreen control, relying on center console buttons, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. However, the 2023 CX-50 introduced touchscreen functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. An Active Driving Display, or head-up display, projected essential data within the driver's line of sight, including blind-spot warnings.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The interface was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menu navigation. The center console housed helpful buttons and a rotary dial for scrolling and selecting, though its proximity to the rotary shifter could cause confusion. The GV70 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 2023 Mazda CX-50 was expected to perform well in safety tests, though the IIHS had not yet evaluated it. Mazda provided a comprehensive standard package of driving assistance systems, with additional features available on the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim. These included Traffic Jam Assist, active blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The driving assistance systems generally worked well, though the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting in.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a full suite of driver-assistance technology, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The 2.5T's Advance Package added a blind-spot camera system, reverse automatic emergency braking, and a 360-degree parking camera system. On the 3.5T, these features were part of the Sport Advance package. The Electrified GV70 included most of these features as standard, with the head-up display available in the Prestige trim.