2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition, or 40 ASE, was based on the SR5 Premium trim level and added a distinctive flair to the lineup. It featured retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, and bronze 17-inch wheels, along with bronze badges and stitching. This special edition was available in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior. The 4Runner's design evoked a nostalgic 1970s vibe, appealing to those who appreciated its truck-based SUV roots. Inside, the 4Runner offered a purposeful and solid interior, with easy-to-use controls, even when wearing gloves.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 stood out with its sleek design, featuring split headlights and a large shield-like grille for brand recognition. It was sleeker than its larger sibling, the GV80, and avoided the quirkiness of the smaller GV60. The GV70's styling struck a balance between SUV presence and luxury-car elegance, making it a strong contender against competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. The interior was distinctive, with quilted Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and unique details like an elliptical pod for climate controls and a rotary infotainment controller. The GV70's design aimed to offer something different in the luxury SUV segment.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and had a fuel economy rating of 17 mpg in combined driving. The 4Runner's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like Hill-Start Assist Control, Downhill Assist Control, and Active Traction Control. Various trims offered additional off-roading technologies, such as locking differentials and a Crawl Control system. While the 4Runner excelled off-road, its on-road performance was less impressive, with leisurely acceleration and heavy steering.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered a choice of powertrains, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower. Both gasoline engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors producing a combined 429 horsepower, with a Boost Mode providing 483 horsepower for short bursts. While the GV70 delivered 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 dynamics despite its additional weight.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner offered a unique feature with its power-down rear window, providing excellent ventilation. The interior featured comfortable seats, with options for heated and ventilated leather in the Limited trim. Storage options were plentiful, though some lacked rubber liners. The second-row seating was spacious, with good legroom and USB charging ports. A third-row seat was available but compromised cargo space. The 4Runner's cargo area offered 46.3 cubic feet of space behind the second row, expandable to 89.7 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 provided competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom than some rivals but more front-seat legroom. The cargo area offered 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, expanding to 56.9 cubic feet when folded. The Electrified GV70's interior space was minimally impacted by the battery pack. The stylish interior design included a rotary infotainment controller and a dedicated phone storage nook. Automatic side bolsters in the front seats added a sporty touch, enhancing occupant support during spirited driving.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with options for a navigation system and JBL premium sound. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with real knobs and buttons for easy operation. Voice recognition performed well, though it had limitations with certain commands.

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 intuitive, with a rotary controller for easy navigation. Additional features included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and digital key functionality, allowing a phone to replace the key fob.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard across all trims. However, the 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it a Marginal rating for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and Electrified models. The NHTSA awarded the gasoline GV70 a five-star overall safety rating for the 2023 model, with four-star frontal and rollover crash-test ratings for 2024. 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.