2024 Toyota RAV4 vs 2024 Genesis GV70

The 2024 Genesis GV70 distinguished itself prominently in the Genesis lineup and among its competitors with a unique blend of stylish design and recognizable brand features. Its sleeker form separated it from the larger GV80, avoiding the quirkiness seen in the smaller GV60. Standout elements included an almost hatchback-like rear window profile, large round exhaust outlets on the gasoline-powered Sport Prestige trim level, and distinctive designs on the available 21-inch wheels, with 19-inch wheels as standard.

The GV70 struck a balance between SUV presence and luxury-car elegance. Competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 exhibited rugged looks but lacked refinement, whereas the Porsche Macan stretched car styling over SUV proportions, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class leaned heavily on its grille's three-pointed star. Conversely, the GV70's design effectively marketed the vehicle as an upscale yet practical SUV.

For those desiring an understated EV, the Electrified GV70 retained the same sleek styling as its gasoline counterpart, with a flashy grille that cleverly integrated the charge port, facilitating easier parking and charging compared to other EVs with less conveniently located ports.

Inside, the GV70 offered one of the most distinctive interiors among its peers with luxury touches such as quilted Nappa leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof. It featured an elliptical pod housing for climate controls and buttons, a rotary controller for the infotainment system that looked otherworldly, and a dashboard with a rounded, wing-like cross-section. This courageous design approach showcased Genesis' intent to differentiate itself in the luxury segment.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4, on the other hand, aimed for a tougher aesthetic. With a frowning, grimacing grille and aggressive gray body cladding, it projected a perpetually angry demeanor. The dual exhaust outlets suggested non-existent performance, while upper trims boasted faux front and rear skid plates with robust roof racks. Our tested TRD Off-Road model emphasized this rugged look with off-road suspension tuning, underbody skid plates, and all-terrain tires on 18-inch matte-black TRD alloy wheels.

Pricing for the RAV4 ranged significantly, with the base LE at $28,675 up to the TRD Off-Road's $38,295, plus options if chosen. Each tier offered better interior aesthetics, with the TRD Off-Road interior featuring SofTex artificial leather and an array of comfort features, including optional heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel, all complemented by a practical design with easy-clean surfaces and utility-oriented details such as robust door handles and rubber-lined storage areas.

The performance of the 2024 Genesis GV70 was robust, featuring two gasoline engine options. The standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, running on premium fuel. Alternatively, a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 offering 375 hp and 391 lb-ft was available, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.

The Electrified GV70 came with standard all-wheel drive courtesy of front and rear electric motors, combining for 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, sustained by a 77.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack. Additionally, a “Boost Mode” provided 483 hp for brief 10-second bursts. However, despite these formidable specs, the GV70 lagged behind in terms of sporty handling, feeling larger and heavier through corners compared to rivals like the Acura RDX, BMW X3, or Porsche Macan.

Comfort-wise, the GV70’s suspension struggled with road imperfections, highlighting its status as a mid-tier luxury SUV rather than an elite contender. Regardless, the Electrified model fared equally in handling despite its additional weight and offered practical features such as steering-wheel paddles to modify regenerative braking for a customizable driving experience.

In comparison, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 203 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 184 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm, necessitating high revs for maximum power. The engine was mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with optional torque-vectoring all-wheel drive.

Our TRD Off-Road model had unique off-road suspension tuning, underbody skid plates, and exclusive Multi-Terrain Select with various driving modes. Despite its off-road enhancements, the TRD Off-Road model offered the same 8.6 inches of ground clearance as other RAV4 variants. During tests, its off-road capabilities were moderate, adequate for rough terrains but falling short of true off-road vehicles like the 4Runner.

For everyday driving, the off-road suspension smoothed out bumps, and the RAV4’s steering and brakes were well-tuned for general purposes, though it remained noisy at highway speeds. The engine’s sound was unrefined, but its dependable performance and fuel economy ratings of 28 mpg combined in the TRD Off-Road model, and significantly better in the hybrid versions, were notable benefits.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 provided competitive interior dimensions, matching its rivals closely. It had slightly less headroom than the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class but offered more front-seat legroom than the BMW and Mercedes, with comparable second-row legroom. Its 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space outperformed the Mercedes (21.9 cubic feet), narrowly edged out the BMW (28.7 cubic feet), but fell short of the Audi (29.5 cubic feet). With rear seats folded, the GV70’s 56.9 cubic feet still lagged behind its German competitors.

Notably, the Electrified GV70 retained most interior space despite accommodating a battery pack, losing only marginal space in legroom and headroom. While the stylish interior design compromised small-item storage somewhat, it excelled in other areas with automatic side bolsters for the front seats providing additional support during dynamic driving.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 emphasized practicality. Its interior bristled with purposeful features, utilitarian nooks, oversized controls, and easy-clean materials. The TRD Off-Road trim featured artificial leather seats and a driver’s seat with eight-way power adjustment, and optional comfort packages added heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and rain-sensing wipers, enhancing its readiness for adverse weather.

Passenger space in the RAV4 comfortably seated four adults, and a fifth person when necessary. The rear seats, though low, offered reasonable legroom and foot space, complemented by rear air conditioning vents and charging ports. Storage-wise, the RAV4 excelled with a 37.6 cubic-foot cargo area, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with seats folded, solidifying its segment competitiveness.

The Genesis GV70's technology suite was simpler but functional. It featured a standard 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a nostalgic 3D effect, a 12-inch head-up display, and a 16-speaker Lexicon audio system. The infotainment system was praised for its intuitive layout and easy accessibility from both driver and front passenger positions. Genesis also integrated a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and a digital key functionality for smart-phone-based vehicle access.

In contrast, despite the RAV4's age, Toyota equipped it with the latest Audio Multimedia system. Standard features included an 8-inch touchscreen, upgradeable to a 10.5-inch display, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It included five connected service plans, some free for up to 10 years. The infotainment system offered cloud-based navigation, a digital voice assistant, and a three-month data plan for Wi-Fi connectivity.

Criticisms of the RAV4's system involved the clutter-free lack of multi-panel home screens, the complicated exit process from Apple CarPlay, and difficult-to-read font on the display. The digital voice assistant performed commendably, with minor issues related to volume control and data parsing. Additionally, the RAV4 offered an optional JBL premium audio system and a helpful digital rearview mirror, but missed out on a panoramic surround-view camera, a feature that could have prevented minor incidents.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's top safety pick+ for both gasoline and Electrified models, underscoring its high safety standards. NHTSA awarded the gasoline GV70s four stars for frontal and rollover crashes and a five-star overall rating for the 2023 models, with no ratings yet for the Electrified variant. Standard safety features included lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning with automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist.

Optional is the Highway Driving Assist 2 with additional blind-spot monitoring and automated lane-change capability. Genesis also provided advanced safety features like safe exit assist and a radar-sensitive rear occupant alert, able to detect the breathing of children or pets.

For the 2024 Toyota RAV4, safety was overseen by Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, and more. However, the lack of a standard blind-spot monitoring system on the base LE trim could raise concerns. TSS 2.5’s performance was deemed adequate on straighter highways but exposed its limitations on curvier roads and occasional inaccurate lane-departure warnings.

The RAV4 lost its IIHS Top Safety Pick rating due to marginal ratings in recent crash tests, highlighting its aging design. The current technical specifications underpin the need for an all-new version to improve its safety standings.