Hyundai Tucson vs Genesis GV70

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson had transcended other compact SUVs with its avant-garde styling. Introduced in its current form for the 2022 model year, the Tucson sported a fourth-generation look that carried over strikingly well into 2024. Its sharp angles, integrated headlights, and intricate grille showcased Hyundai’s commitment to distinctiveness, setting it apart from competitors. This cohesive yet bold design translated into a contemporary and handsome crossover, even in subdued hues like white. Trim levels such as SE, SEL, XRT, and Limited provided aesthetic variations—from the SE’s 17-inch wheels to the Limited’s dark chrome grille and advanced headlights. Inside, the Tucson boasted a modern and refined cabin, brimming with approachable technology, despite minor ergonomic quirks, like the absence of a traditional volume dial.

In contrast, the 2024 Genesis GV70 made its mark with elegance and a touch of flair in the luxury SUV sector. Carrying over distinctive Genesis design cues such as split headlights and a large shield grille, the GV70 juxtaposed sleekness with modernity, avoiding excessive quirkiness. Its silhouette, reminiscent of a hatchback at the rear, and standout features like 21-inch wheels, underscored its refined sportiness. Competing against the likes of the Audi Q5 and BMW X3, the GV70 struck a balance between SUV presence and luxury appeal, far superior to rivals that either appeared overblown or overly reliant on brand insignia for prestige. The Electrified GV70 preserved these aesthetics while discreetly innovating with a charge port integrated into the grille for seamless EV adaptability.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque via an eight-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain provided adequate propulsion for city driving, but it required more throttle input for brisk highway maneuvers, often accompanied by notable engine noise. For more power, buyers could explore the 226-hp Tucson Hybrid or the 261-hp Plug-In Hybrid, although these variants introduced a unique button-style shifter that necessitated adaptation. The Tucson’s strength lay in its well-rounded driving dynamics, offering a smooth ride and competent handling, if not as sporty as some rivals like the Mazda CX-5.

The GV70, meanwhile, came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, churning out an impressive 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. For even more prowess, a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 was available, pushing 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. These engines paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The Electrified GV70 took performance a notch higher with dual motors producing a combined 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a boost mode spiking to 483 hp momentarily. While acceleration was vigorous, especially in boost or Sport+ modes, the GV70’s handling did not match the agility of sportier peers like the BMW X3 or Porsche Macan. Its ride, although generally comfortable, could be firm over imperfections, subtly reflecting its mid-tier luxury positioning.

In terms of cargo space, the 2024 Hyundai Tucson excelled with 74.8 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded and 38.7 cubic feet with the seats upright, making it a leader in its segment. Variants above the SE trim benefited from a hands-free power liftgate, facilitating easier loading. The Tucson’s spacious interior accommodated five passengers comfortably, offering ample headroom and legroom in both rows, and included plenty of functional storage solutions, such as sizable cupholders and a tray that housed a wireless charging pad.

By comparison, the GV70’s interior was opulent yet slightly more constrained. With 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, it offered respectable though inferior capacity compared to the Tucson. This was further compressed slightly in the Electrified GV70 due to battery accommodation, shaving about an inch off headroom and shrinking second-row legroom marginally. Despite its stylish layout, the GV70's sloping design limited small-item storage, although upscale touches like automatic side bolsters on front seats added to the driving experience’s plush.

Technological offerings in the 2024 Hyundai Tucson centered around an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger 10.25-inch touchscreen available in higher trims offered a sleek digital experience but omitted wireless connectivity in favor of an annoying haptic volume control—a curious downgrade from the simpler standard setup. Yet, Hyundai’s advanced remote start functionality, allowing direct drive initiation without re-pressing Start inside the car, was a noted highlight.

In the 2024 Genesis GV70, technology veered towards luxury simplicity, borrowing intuitive elements from Hyundai’s playbook. A 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was standard, alongside optional advanced features like a 12-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Lexicon audio system. The GV70 featured a unique fingerprint scanner for driver profile activation and a high-quality rotary controller for the infotainment system, excelling in user ergonomics even amongst luxury peers.

The Hyundai Tucson was well-equipped with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and more. Upgrading to the Limited trim added advanced aids such as a 360-degree camera system and Hyundai’s Smart Park feature. Tucson’s excellent safety credentials were bolstered by high ratings from the IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick+, and strong preliminary results from the NHTSA.

Similarly, the Genesis GV70 came loaded with essential safety gear, including lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and Highway Driving Assist, which merged lane-centering with cruise control for a semi-automated driving experience. Higher trims introduced Highway Driving Assist 2 with automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Both gasoline and electric models received high safety marks, with the gasoline GV70 earning a Top Safety Pick+ and favorable NHTSA ratings, though the Electrified GV70’s federal ratings were pending.