2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its rugged charm with a few updates, notably in the Wilderness trim, which featured a new front fascia and LED fog lights. The dark gray cladding provided a striking contrast to the Autumn Green Metallic color of the Outback Touring XT, a hue that was both unique and appealing. The Outback's various trims offered different levels of black and chrome exterior fittings, with the Touring trim showcasing the most chrome, which was tastefully done. Wheel designs varied across trims, with the Wilderness trim sporting matte black 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Onyx Edition and higher trims featured larger and more refined designs. Inside, the top-trim Outback impressed with its Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, offering a level of luxury unexpected from a brand known for capability over opulence.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 stood out with its sleek design, balancing brand recognition with unique styling elements. It retained signature Genesis features like split headlights and a large grille, while offering 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 distinctive wheel designs. It successfully combined SUV presence with luxury-car style, setting it apart from competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. The Electrified GV70 maintained the same styling as its gasoline counterpart, with a shiny grille housing the charge port. Inside, the GV70 boasted a distinctive interior 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 2024 Subaru Outback was powered by a "Boxer" horizontally opposed engine, with the base model featuring a 2.5-liter flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, were equipped with a more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 3,500 lbs. The Outback's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Lineartronic CVT were standard, providing a comfortable ride with adequate steering feel. The Wilderness trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with 9.2 inches of ground clearance and all-terrain tires, along with Subaru's advanced X-Mode for challenging terrains.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered a choice of powertrains, starting with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. A more powerful 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 was available, delivering 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors, producing a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a Boost Mode providing 483 horsepower for short bursts. While the GV70 offered strong straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning was less sporty, and the ride quality was competent but not exceptional. The Electrified model maintained similar driving dynamics despite its additional weight, with adjustable regenerative braking for a customizable driving experience.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered generous interior space, with more front headroom than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, and competitive rear-seat legroom. Its cargo area measured 32.6 cubic feet with all seats in place and 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Outback featured dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat starting with the Premium trim. Higher trims offered additional features like a heated steering wheel and hands-free power liftgate. The Outback's roof rails with retractable cross bars added practicality for outdoor adventures.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 provided comparable interior space to its rivals, with slightly less headroom but more front-seat legroom than some competitors. Its cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with rear seats up and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Electrified GV70 had minimal impact on interior space, with slight reductions in legroom and headroom. The GV70's stylish interior design included a rotary shifter and infotainment controller, but limited small-item storage. Features like automatic side bolsters in Sport mode added to the driving experience, while a dedicated phone storage nook and rear-seat climate controls enhanced convenience.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered a mix of old-school and modern technology, with a CD player available on the Touring trim and both USB-C and USB-A ports on most trims. The top-trim featured an 11.6-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while lower trims had a dual-7-inch-screen system. The Starlink multimedia platform included standard Bluetooth, HD Radio, and SiriusXM connectivity, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system on most trims. The climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen, with hard buttons for essential functions.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trims had an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, while higher grades 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 infotainment system was user-friendly, with a rotary controller offering a high-quality feel. Genesis included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and digital key functionality, allowing a phone to replace the key fob for unlocking and starting the car.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It featured standard EyeSight driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. Reverse automatic braking became standard on the Onyx trim, while the Touring trim added a wide-angle camera, digital rearview mirror, and driver-attention monitor.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and Electrified models. NHTSA ratings included four-star frontal and rollover crash-test ratings for gasoline models, with a five-star overall rating for the 2023 model. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and Highway Driving Assist. The Highway Driving Assist 2 system added automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Genesis also offered a safe exit assist function and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.