2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2024 Genesis GV70

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 showcased an elegant and luxurious design that represented Mazda’s advancement in design and material quality. Drawing inspiration from its smaller counterparts, the CX-30 and CX-5, the CX-90 amplified this design language, epitomizing a bold SUV stretched over 200 inches. The imposing grille, wide-set front end, and sizable wheels, which ranged from 19 to 21 inches, commanded attention. With its tasteful chrome trim, the CX-90 managed to maintain an elegant facade despite its substantial mass.

Inside, Mazda outdid itself with top-tier trims offering an interior ambiance that could rival renowned luxury brands. Brown suede upholstery covered the dash, wood inlays adorned the center console, and black plastic bits featured a pleasant matte finish. Higher trims of the CX-90 truly reflected luxury, making even a BMW X5 appear overpriced by comparison. While lower trims might not have been as striking, all versions benefited from a stylish design language and comfortable layout across their 11 different trim levels ranging from the base Turbo to the high-end Turbo S Premium Plus.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 stood out with its unique blend of sleekness and luxury. Incorporating the brand’s signature split headlights and shield-like grille, the GV70 balanced familiarity with standout details such as a hatchback-like rear window profile, massive round exhaust outlets, and distinctive wheel designs ranging from 19 to 21 inches.

Striking a balance between SUV presence and luxury-car style, the GV70 surpassed competitors like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Porsche Macan in terms of finesse. Especially noteworthy was the Electrified GV70, whose glitzy grille cleverly concealed the charge port, allowing convenient charging at stations. Unlike many EVs, positioning the GV70 for charging was straightforward due to this thoughtful design choice. Inside, the GV70 boasted one of the most distinctive interiors, with quilted Nappa leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof adding a touch of traditional luxury. The dashboard, with its rounded cross-section and elliptical control pod, provided a distinct departure from conventional designs, demonstrating Genesis’s commitment to innovative styling.

For the 2024 Mazda CX-90, performance saw significant improvements over its predecessor, the CX-9, thanks to two new powertrains. The introduction of a plug-in hybrid option and two turbocharged inline six-cylinder engines were game changers. The base turbo I6 delivered 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. However, the upgraded Turbo S trim, where the engine's output increased to 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, truly impressed.

The eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive added to the driving experience, with the powertrain providing an exceptional exhaust note. The CX-90 also came with three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Off-Road. In Sport mode, the engine revved high, unleashing an exhilarating roar.

Conversely, the CX-90 PHEV combined a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with a 17.8-kWh battery and a 68-kW electric motor, resulting in a combined output of 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It offered an electric driving range of 26 miles and 56 MPGe in combined driving. While the PHEV was quieter, it matched the Turbo S in handling, navigating corners deftly thanks to its larger platform, double-wishbone front suspension, and lithe steering.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 retained its existing powertrain options. The base model came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 was available, offering 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD.

The Electrified GV70 featured dual electric motors generating a combined 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, with a “Boost Mode” temporarily providing 483 horsepower. However, the GV70’s chassis tuning fell short compared to more sport-oriented rivals, making it feel heavier and slower through corners. In terms of comfort, the GV70's suspension could have been smoother over road imperfections. The Electrified model, despite being heavier, maintained the same driving experience as its gasoline counterpart. Additionally, it featured adjustable regenerative braking, allowing for true one-pedal driving and an EPA-rated range of 236 miles.

Interior space and cargo capacity varied significantly between the 2024 Mazda CX-90 and the Genesis GV70. The CX-90’s various trims allowed for multiple seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers in the lower-end models. The mid-level trims offered a seven-seat setup with captain’s chairs in the second row, while the Turbo S trim added a more luxurious six-seat configuration for its Premium and Premium Plus models. Cargo capacity was reasonably generous, with maximum space measuring 75.2 cubic feet with all seats folded.

In contrast, the GV70 provided ample room comparable to its rivals but with slight compromises in headroom due to its sleeker roofline. It featured 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Electrified GV70 had minimal impact on interior space, with a negligible reduction in legroom and headroom. However, small-item storage was limited due to its stylish interior design, which included an orb-like infotainment controller and curvaceous dashboard.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 focused on reducing driver distraction with its Mazda Connect infotainment system, which avoided touchscreens in favor of hard buttons and a rotary control knob. While the intent was commendable, the execution was often frustrating due to its complexity. However, the CX-90 offered a personalization feature using facial recognition for setting custom driver profiles. Standard inclusions like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay supported touchscreen controls, mitigating some of the system's drawbacks.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 leveraged technology from Hyundai, simplifying user interactions with a 14.5-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered an upgraded 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect, enhancing the driving experience. A fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and a digital key feature added to its appeal. The user-friendly layout and high-quality controls made the GV70’s infotainment system more intuitive than Mazda’s.

Safety was prioritized similarly in both vehicles, yet each displayed unique strengths. The 2024 Mazda CX-90 came standard with i-Activsense, Mazda’s comprehensive ADAS suite. This included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, smart brake support, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist. The CX-90 also featured a hands-on driving support system that blended lane-centering with adaptive cruise control. Though lacking official crash-test ratings due to its new status, its precursor, the CX-9, had earned top safety awards, signaling similar expectations for the CX-90.

The 2024 Genesis GV70, specifically gasoline models, earned IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+ award, with the Electrified GV70 receiving similar accolades as a 2023 model. While NHTSA ratings were pending, the previous model received high marks, suggesting continued safety performance. Standard safety features in the GV70 included lane-keep assist, forward collision-warning, automatic emergency braking, and a comprehensive Highway Driving Assist system. Advanced features like automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring were also available.