2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2024 Lexus GX

The 2024 Lexus GX 550 undeniably stood out from its 2023 predecessor, the GX 470. The shift from softer, rounded corners to bold geometric styling was apparent from the headlight to the taillight. The brand’s trademark “spindle” grille maintained its presence, yet was noticeably less pronounced in this new generation. The front fascia was more aggressively upright, giving an imposing first impression. Standard triple-beam LED headlights were prominently positioned at the squared-off upper edge, juxtaposing the stiffer, more assertive front end compared to the outgoing model. The otherwise flat hood rose on each side above the front wheels, aiding positional awareness during off-road driving.

The side profile of the GX exuded solidity as if it was carved from a single metal block. Character lines were understated, following a horizontal path that emphasized visibility and awareness on rugged terrains. The window beltline was low, aiding in off-road visibility, while the frame’s lower edge kicked up mildly ahead of the C-pillar. Standard running boards graced the bottom, with powered units available on the Luxury+ trim.

Lexus offered the GX in six trim levels: Premium, Premium+, Luxury, Luxury+, Overtrail, and Overtrail+. The Premium+ trim level was anticipated to be the most popular, but the Luxury+ and Overtrail+ highlighted the SUV’s premium features best. The Luxury models boasted 22-inch wheels, illuminated doorsills, and ambient lighting. In contrast, the Overtrail models prioritized off-roading with 18-inch wheels for larger tire sidewalls and eco-friendly Nuluxe leatherette upholstery.

Inside, the GX achieved a blend of luxury and utility, with heated and ventilated front seats and robust polyurethane touchpoints. The dashboard was flat and upright, with a 14-inch touchscreen display front and center and plenty of physical controls and rotary knobs for climate and stereo settings.

Compared to its rivals, the 2024 Lexus GX appeared less luxurious than a Land Rover Defender and definitely less lavish than a Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Nonetheless, it exuded a premium feel, ready for a long lifetime of hard use.

In contrast, the 2024 Genesis GV70 commanded attention both within the Genesis lineup and among its competitors. It incorporated familiar Genesis styling features like split headlights and a large shield-like grille for brand recognition, yet was sleeker than the Genesis GV80 and avoided the quirks of the smaller GV60. The GV70 had standout features such as a nearly hatchback-like rear window profile, large round exhaust outlets on the gasoline-powered Sport Prestige trim, and distinctive 21-inch wheel designs.

The GV70 struck a balance between SUV presence and luxury-car sophistication. Its competitors lacked this finesse. The Electrified GV70 was a great option for those desiring an EV that didn't stand out too much. Its grille housed the charge port, making charging in regular parking spots easy—an advantage over typical EV designs.

The GV70’s interior was distinctly luxurious, featuring quilted Nappa leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof. Distinctive details like the elliptical pod housing climate controls, Star Trek-like rotary controller for the infotainment, and a rounded dashboard added to its uniqueness.

The 2024 Lexus GX replaced its iconic V8 engine with a more advanced V6. This new twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine delivered 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, making significantly more power than the previous engine. The torque was readily available in the lower rev range, enhancing the vehicle's off-road capability.

Built on the GA-F truck platform, the GX shared its underpinnings with the J300 Toyota Land Cruiser, the Lexus LX, the Toyota Tundra, and the new Toyota Tacoma. The stiff chassis improved stability, both on-road and off-road. The 10-speed automatic transmission, shared with the Tundra, performed assertively without frenetic shifting. All GX models came with full-time 4WD and a locking Torsen limited-slip center differential, while the Overtrail trims added a locking rear differential and the advanced Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS).

During test drives, the GX showcased impressive acceleration from stops and at highway speeds, with effective brakes under optimal conditions. Weighing over 5,000 pounds, the GX handled corners with less body roll than expected, maintaining composure. Though severe weather limited our off-road testing, the GX performed adequately on a less aggressive off-road course.

The 2024 Genesis GV70, on the other hand, retained its powertrain options. The gasoline GV70 offered a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both powered by an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard AWD.

The Electrified GV70 provided AWD through front and rear electric motors, producing a combined 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. A “Boost Mode” increased this to 483 horsepower for 10-second intervals. Despite their straight-line acceleration capabilities, neither version excelled in corners compared to sportier rivals. The GV70 was reasonably comfortable but lacked the ride quality often expected of luxury SUVs in its price range.

The Electrified GV70 featured adjustable regenerative braking controlled by steering-wheel paddles, which allowed for one-pedal driving. Despite its lower EPA-rated 236-mile range, it was a commendable choice if charging logistics were manageable.

The 2024 Lexus GX showcased a minimalist yet sophisticated interior design with fewer physical buttons than its predecessor but retained essential controls. It featured rotary climate control knobs flanking the touchscreen and physical off-road feature buttons lower on the center console.

For passenger space, the GX was comfortable and spacious for six-foot-tall adults in the front and second rows, offering 41.2 inches of front legroom and 36.7 inches in the second row. The third row, with 31.7 inches of legroom, was suitable primarily for children.

Compared to the Land Rover Defender 110, the GX was more spacious overall but shared the Defender’s limited third-row legroom. The GX excelled in cargo space, providing 10.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 40.2 cubic feet with the third row folded. The Overtrail models, sans the third row, offered 45.6 cubic feet behind the second row and an impressive 90.5 cubic feet in total.

In terms of interior space, the 2024 Genesis GV70 compared favorably to its rivals. It had slightly less headroom than the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, but slightly more front-seat legroom than the BMW and Mercedes. Second-row legroom was marginally more than the X3 but slightly less than the Q5 and GLC.

Cargo-wise, the GV70 provided 28.9 cubic feet with rear seats in place, better than the Mercedes’ 21.9 cubic feet but slightly less than the Audi and BMW. With rear seats down, it offered 56.9 cubic feet, less than its German competitors. The Electrified GV70 saw minimal impact on interior space due to the battery pack. Small-item storage was limited in all GV70 models due to the stylish interior design.

The 2024 Lexus GX featured a 14-inch touchscreen centered in its dashboard. For power needs, it included USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and a 120-volt AC outlet in the trunk. Overtrail models added more USB-C ports in the back seat. The Lexus Interface infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with intelligent voice assistant capabilities via a subscription service. A 10-speaker audio system was standard, with a 21-speaker Mark Levinson system available on higher trims.

The technology was user-friendly, but features beyond the initial three-year trial required paid subscriptions, which could become an ongoing expense.

The 2024 Genesis GV70's infotainment system, borrowed from Hyundai, was straightforward and easy to use. It featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. A 16-speaker Lexicon audio system was also available.

The user interface was intuitive, and the rotary controller on the center console felt premium. Additional tech features included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and digital key functionality, allowing a phone to unlock and start the car.

The 2024 Lexus GX saw a significant improvement in safety. The Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite became standard, offering advanced driver aids like pre-collision detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and road-sign recognition. Proactive driving assist further enhanced safety, especially while using cruise control. Although neither IIHS nor NHTSA ratings were available yet, the modern architecture and rich ADAS suite improved its safety outlook.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 had the advantage of receiving the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and Electrified versions. NHTSA ratings for 2024 were not fully available, but the gasoline models had four-star frontal and rollover crash-test ratings and the 2023 model’s five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Highway Driving Assist, with additional features like automated lane-changing and safe exit assist offering high-tech safety measures.