Kia Seltos vs Genesis GV70

The 2024 Kia Seltos underwent a mid-cycle refresh that delivered subtle yet impactful updates. The vehicle showcased updated headlight and grille designs, complemented by a sleek light strip connecting the revamped taillight assemblies. This redesign lent the Seltos a refreshed and modern face without requiring significant developmental resources, thereby keeping the price surge to a minimum. The test model came in a new “Pluton Blue” paint color, providing a crisp and sharp appearance.

Inside, the Seltos offered new interior colors such as “Gentle Brown” and “Midnight Green,” though our test model featured a standard black interior. A significant interior upgrade was the massive digital panel spanning two-thirds of the dashboard. This panel included a fully digital instrument panel and a larger touchscreen infotainment system, adding a touch of sophistication.

The Seltos came in various trims: LX, S, EX, X-Line, and SX. The LX trim boasted features like standard 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable seats, two USB ports, air conditioning, remote keyless entry, Bluetooth connectivity, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. As we moved up to the S trim, enhancements such as fog lights, LED daytime running lights, silver roof rails, and heating side mirrors with integrated turn signals were added. The S trim also upgraded the digital instrument panel, interior lighting, and included a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

In the EX trim, features expanded to include solar glass for the front doors and windshield, synthetic leather upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a wireless device charging pad. The X-Line trim, replacing the Nightfall Edition, added stylistic elements such as 18-inch alloy wheels, tinted windows, and a unique dark gunmetal grille design, though it lost the wireless charging pad and power-adjustable driver’s seat.

The top-tier SX trim level featured 18-inch alloy wheels, LED bi-function headlights, LED fog lights, an electrochromatic rearview mirror, and a rear cargo cover. It also reintroduced the power driver’s seat and included a leather-wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel and a Bose premium stereo system. An SX Sunroof Package further added a power sunroof, hands-free power tailgate, ventilated front seats, and Digital Key 2.0.

In contrast, the 2024 Genesis GV70 remained a distinctive vehicle in the Genesis lineup as well as in its competitive set. Featuring the brand's hallmark split headlights and large shield-like grille, the GV70 presented a sleeker appearance compared to its larger sibling, the GV80, without adopting the highly distinctive quirks of the smaller GV60. The GV70’s unique touches, such as an almost hatchback-like rear window profile, large round exhaust outlets in the gasoline Sport Prestige trim, and special 21-inch wheels, contributed to its standout design.

The GV70 seamlessly balanced SUV stature with luxury-car elegance. Unlike competitors like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Porsche Macan, which either exaggerated toughness or struggled to meld car styling with SUV dimensions, the GV70 elegantly embodied both SUV robustness and luxury sophistication. The GV70's styling elevated it to a unique position within the luxury SUV segment.

The Electrified GV70 maintained the gasoline model’s design but featured an eye-catching grille that housed the charge port for easy access at charging stations. Unlike many EVs with charge ports placed awkwardly, the GV70's setup allowed for straightforward parking and charging.

Inside, the GV70’s interior was one of the most distinctive, incorporating traditional luxury elements like quilted Nappa leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof. However, it stood out for details like the elliptical housing for climate controls, a rotary infotainment controller, and a dashboard reminiscent of an airplane wing, showcasing Genesis' commitment to unique design.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The base model featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with Kia’s IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission). The base LX trim came standard with all-wheel drive (AWD), while the S and EX trims offered front-wheel drive (FWD) with optional AWD.

The X-Line and SX trims upped the ante with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 195 horsepower (a 20-horsepower increase over the previous year) and 195 pound-feet of torque. This turbo engine was coupled with a new eight-speed automatic transmission, replacing the former seven-speed automatic. This powertrain provided AWD standardly.

The Seltos' additional 20 horsepower was appreciable, especially in a smaller vehicle. Although the turbocharged engine exhibited some lag, this could be mitigated by switching to Sport mode using the Drive Mode dial. The various driving modes—Normal, Eco, and Smart—adapted the vehicle's performance to different conditions and driving styles.

Driving the Seltos through New England’s diverse road conditions revealed a well-weighted steering, responsive turns, and minimal body roll. The suspension efficiently absorbed road imperfections, while the touchy brakes settled over time. With a ground clearance of 7.3 inches, the Seltos was capable of tackling light off-road conditions, making it suitable for trips to remote locations.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 provided a range of powerful options. The standard gasoline engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder delivering 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. A more potent 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine offered 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque, also matched to an eight-speed automatic with AWD.

For those inclined towards electric power, the Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors producing a combined 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, powered by a 77.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack. A “Boost Mode” temporarily increased the output to 483 horsepower.

The GV70 provided robust acceleration and performance in Boost Mode for the Electrified model and Sport+ mode for the twin-turbo V6 model. However, the chassis tuning didn’t match the engaging driving experience offered by the sportiest competitors. The GV70 felt bigger and less agile through corners when compared to SUVs like the Acura RDX, BMW X3, or Porsche Macan.

Despite reasonable comfort levels, the GV70's suspension struggled with bumps and road imperfections. It did not float over them but rather crashed down, providing a less refined ride quality. These traits extended to the Electrified GV70, which managed not to feel more cumbersome despite its additional weight.

The Electrified GV70 included adjustable regenerative braking via steering-wheel paddles, allowing drivers to switch from minimal to high regenerative braking for a one-pedal driving experience. With an EPA-rated 236-mile range, the Electrified GV70 offered practical electric driving without compromising the gasoline model's driving experience.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered practical cargo space, providing up to 62.8 cubic feet with rear seats folded, and 26.6 cubic feet with them in use. The range-topping SX trim included a hands-free power liftgate option. The Seltos’ upright seating position ensured ample headroom and excellent driver visibility, along with generous rear legroom. Tall occupants could comfortably sit in both front and rear seats, a notable accomplishment for a subcompact SUV.

The front seating area of the Seltos included practical storage solutions such as in-door cupholders, albeit tight for large water bottles, and door cubbies for both front and rear occupants. The front center console tray offered an open design ideal for storing essentials like keys, wallets, and phones. The SX trim added a removable cargo cover sturdy enough to support light items.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 provided comparable interior space to competitors like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, albeit with slightly less headroom due to its streamlined roofline. The Genesis offered fractionally more front-seat legroom compared to BMW and Mercedes models, and just a bit less than Audi. The second-row legroom was competitive but offered slightly more space than the X3 and marginally less than the Q5 and GLC.

The GV70's 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up surpassed the Mercedes’ 21.9 cubic feet, matched closely with the BMW’s 28.7 cubic feet, but fell short of the Audi’s 29.5 cubic feet. With rear seats folded, it offered 56.9 cubic feet, which was less than all its German rivals.

Genesis engineers managed to integrate the battery pack in the Electrified GV70 with minimal impact on interior space. The first-row legroom remained unchanged, while second-row legroom reduced by 0.6 inches. Headroom decreased by 1 inch in both rows, and the cargo space difference between gasoline and electric models was less than a cubic foot.

All GV70 models sacrificed some small-item storage space due to the stylish interior design. The infotainment controller, rotary shifter, and curvaceous dashboard reduced available space, although a dedicated phone storage nook and rear-seat climate controls were included. The Electrified GV70 featured automatic side bolsters in the front seats for enhanced occupant support during spirited driving.

The 2024 Kia Seltos was equipped with varying displays based on the trim level. The base infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster flanked by analog gauges. All trims, except the base LX, upgraded to a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument panel and touchscreen. Both infotainment systems integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and maintained a logical layout with physical volume and tuning dials.

The infotainment screen was well-sized, offering an intuitive and responsive interface whether accessing Kia’s UVO system or using Apple CarPlay. Users could connect their phones via USB-A or faster USB-C ports. While there were many helpful buttons for the infotainment system, they were located below the climate controls, requiring some familiarity for quick access. Most trims came with a six-speaker stereo, while the SX trim upgraded to an eight-speaker Bose premium stereo system. The Seltos also featured Digital Key 2 Touch, allowing owners to unlock and lock the vehicle and share access via a smartphone app.

The 2024 Genesis GV70's infotainment system, derived from the Hyundai parts bin, offered simplicity and functionality. Standard across all models was a 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trim levels featured an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, while higher trims boasted a 12.3-inch cluster with a unique 3D effect, appealing to nostalgic users. An available 12-inch head-up display provided additional driving information, complemented by a 16-speaker Lexicon audio system.

The Genesis system was user-friendly, with large tiles making menu navigation straightforward. Positioned within easy reach of both the driver and front-seat passenger, the touchscreen could be operated alternatively via a high-quality rotary controller on the center console. Additional features included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and a digital key functionality enabling smartphone use in place of a key fob.

The 2024 Kia Seltos came standard with a suite of driver assistance features, including forward collision avoidance with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning, lane-follow assist, automatic high beams, and driver attention warning. The S trim added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning, which alerted occupants to approaching vehicles when parked on busy streets.

Further driver assistance features were available on the SX trim, which included smart cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, predictive navigation for curves, traffic sign recognition, and highway driving assist. The SX also featured a junction-turning function for forward collision warning and a drive-away warning to alert distracted drivers when the vehicle ahead had pulled away.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 gasoline versions earned the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Electrified GV70 achieved the same accolade as a 2023 model. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not yet published complete ratings for the 2024 GV70, though it had awarded four-star frontal and rollover crash-test ratings to the gasoline models, with the 2023 GV70 receiving a five-star overall rating.

Standard safety features across all GV70 models included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver-attention monitor, parking assist sensors, and Highway Driving Assist. The latter combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering. An advanced Highway Driving Assist 2 system offered automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Genesis also provided a sophisticated safe exit assist function and a rear occupant alert system using sensitive radar.