2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from the brand's past design ethos, which was often likened to utilitarian appliances. The XC90 presented a purposeful yet understated exterior, with a stout front end and an assertive grille that avoided being overly flashy. Its signature "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, distinguishing it from the boxy Volvos of the past. The vehicle's rectilinear dimensions were complemented by 21-inch wheels, adding a touch of drama to its otherwise stoic appearance. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with its two-tone leather steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior design was enhanced by wood deco inlays, creating a serene and sophisticated cabin environment.

In contrast, the 2024 Genesis GV70 stood out with its sleek design, balancing luxury-car style with SUV presence. It featured distinctive Genesis styling elements like split headlights and a large shield-like grille, while maintaining a sleeker profile than its larger sibling, the GV80. The GV70's design included standout details such as a hatchback-like rear window profile and large round exhaust outlets on the Sport Prestige trim. The interior was equally distinctive, with quilted Nappa leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof. The dashboard's rounded cross-section and unique climate controls added a touch of innovation, making the GV70's cabin memorable and stylish.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines, replacing the older T5 and T6 powertrains. These new engines incorporated mild-hybrid technology, offering smoother operation and slightly improved fuel efficiency. The B5 engine produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the B6 engine delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Despite the mild-hybrid setup, the XC90 maintained a reserved yet enjoyable driving experience, with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle's handling was commendable, with minimal body roll through corners, and its brakes inspired confidence with a solid pedal feel.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered a choice between 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, producing a combined 429 horsepower, with a "Boost Mode" providing 483 horsepower for short bursts. While the GV70 delivered vigorous straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning didn't match the sportiness of some rivals. The ride quality was competent but not exceptional, with the suspension tending to crash over bumps. The Electrified model offered adjustable regenerative braking, allowing for one-pedal driving, and maintained a similar driving experience to the gasoline version despite its additional weight.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 offered a peaceful and pleasant front-seat experience, but its Scandinavian minimalism led to some space and storage frustrations. The vehicle lacked dedicated cubby space for smaller items, and the USB port for phone connectivity was inconveniently located in the small center console bin. The second row was comfortable and spacious, but accessing the third row was challenging, especially with the standard seven-passenger seating configuration. The XC90 provided 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in place, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, and a maximum of 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered comparable interior space to its rivals, with slightly less headroom but more front-seat legroom than some competitors. The GV70's 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats in place was better than some rivals, but less than others. Folding the rear seats provided 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space. The Electrified GV70's interior space was minimally impacted by the battery pack, with slight reductions in legroom and headroom. The GV70's stylish interior design came at the cost of 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 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, the first of its kind as a standard system. It integrated Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant, offering natural-language recognition for seamless interaction. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for many functions led to some frustration, as physical buttons were limited. While the minimalist design was appealing, some features required screen interaction, which could be cumbersome for new users.

The 2024 Genesis GV70's infotainment system, while simpler than some rivals, was user-friendly and effective. It included a 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The touchscreen's intuitive layout and the rotary controller on the center console made operation straightforward. The GV70 also offered a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and digital key functionality, allowing a phone to replace the key fob.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, carrying a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. It featured advanced driver safety tech, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which combined these features for enhanced highway driving support. These safety technologies were standard on the XC90, reinforcing Volvo's commitment to safety.

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. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Highway Driving Assist. The more advanced Highway Driving Assist 2 system added automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Genesis also offered high-tech safety features like safe exit assist and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.