2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2024 Genesis GV70

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was available in six trim levels, offering a range of options from the budget-friendly RAV4 LE to the more luxurious RAV4 Limited, with two off-road-oriented trims in between. The design remained consistent with the 2019 model, especially in the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, which featured a distinctive two-part face. The Adventure trim, which was tested, had a more aggressive grille with a repositioned Toyota badge, blacked-out wheels, and a faux skid plate. Despite its rugged appearance, it was more style than substance, with orange interior accents adding a touch of flair. The interior, while mostly basic, included a frameless rearview mirror for a hint of premium feel. The RAV4 offered a variety of seating options, from fabric to synthetic leather, with heated and ventilated seats available in higher trims.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 stood out in the Genesis lineup with its sleek design, featuring split headlights and a large shield-like grille for brand recognition. It was sleeker than the larger GV80 and avoided the quirkiness of the smaller GV60. The GV70's styling struck a balance between SUV presence and luxury-car elegance, outperforming competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 in finesse. The Electrified GV70 maintained the same styling as its gasoline counterpart, with a unique grille housing the charge port. The interior was distinctive, with quilted Nappa leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof, complemented by unique design elements like an elliptical pod for climate controls and a rotary infotainment controller. The dashboard's rounded cross-section added to its unique appeal.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with front-wheel drive, except for the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, which featured all-wheel drive. The sole engine option for the gasoline RAV4 was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the transmission was preferable to a CVT, it didn't enhance acceleration, making the performance more "unobjectionable" than exciting. The Adventure trim, with its 19-inch wheels and all-season tires, couldn't match the TRD Off-Road's capabilities, which included 18-inch wheels with Falken All-Terrain tires and a TRD-tuned suspension.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered two gasoline engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Both 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 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, feeling heavier and less agile through corners. The ride quality was competent but not exceptional, with the Electrified model maintaining similar dynamics despite its additional weight. The Electrified GV70 also featured adjustable regenerative braking for a customizable driving experience.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was designed to seat five, offering 37.7 inches of headroom in the front and 39.5 inches in the rear with the moonroof. It provided 41 inches of front legroom and 37.8 inches in the second row, with the back seat being narrower than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. The RAV4 offered ample storage options, including a shelf along the glove compartment and generous door pockets. Cargo space was 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, placing it mid-pack among competitors.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered comparable interior space to its rivals, with slightly less headroom than the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. It provided a bit more front-seat legroom than the BMW and Mercedes, and slightly less than the Audi. The GV70's cargo space was 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up, better than the Mercedes but less than the Audi. Folding the seats provided 56.9 cubic feet, less than its German competitors. The Electrified GV70's interior space was minimally impacted by the battery pack, with slight reductions in legroom and headroom. The stylish interior design limited small-item storage, but included features like automatic side bolsters in Sport mode for added support.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen standard, and a 10.5-inch screen for Limited and TRD Off-Road trims. The system supported over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Adventure trim tested featured an upgraded multimedia system with a 10.5-inch screen and an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version available on higher trims.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Lower trims had an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, while higher trims offered a 12.3-inch unit with a 3D effect. A 12-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Lexicon audio system were also available. The touchscreen had an intuitive layout, and a rotary controller provided an alternative input method. The GV70 included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and digital key functionality, allowing a phone to replace the key fob.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came with standard safety features like lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring was available on the base LE model and standard on higher trims. The RAV4 was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. It earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and Electrified models. NHTSA ratings for the 2024 model were incomplete, but the 2023 GV70 received a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and Highway Driving Assist. An advanced Highway Driving Assist 2 system was available, adding automated lane-change capability. The GV70 also offered a safe exit assist function and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.