Volkswagen ID.4 vs Genesis GV70

The 2024 Genesis GV70 established itself as a standout in both the Genesis lineup and among competitors. Sporting split headlights and a large shield-like grille that carried the brand's identity, the GV70 managed to balance sleek aesthetics without the excessive quirkiness found in some of its siblings. With standout features like an almost hatchback-like rear window profile, large round exhaust outlets on the gasoline-powered Sport Prestige trim, and distinctive 21-inch wheels (with 19-inch wheels standard on other trims), the GV70 was a visual treat. It hit the sweet spot between SUV size and luxury-car style, with its competitors struggling in different areas: the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 lacked finesse, the Porsche Macan stretched styling cues awkwardly, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class relied too heavily on brand prestige.

The Electrified GV70 remained an understated, elegant option for EV shoppers who appreciated subtlety. Despite a shiny grille that might have doubled as a disco ball, the styling largely remained consistent with the gasoline models. This grille doubled as a practical charge port, eliminating the need for awkward positioning at charging stations—a common inconvenience in other EVs.

Inside, the GV70's distinctive interior combined traditional luxury touches like quilted Nappa leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof with unique details such as climate controls housed in an elliptical pod and an infotainment system with a rotary controller reminiscent of a Star Trek design. The dashboard's rounded, airplane wing-like cross-section added to the cabin's distinctive look, making the GV70’s interior memorable in its own right.

Conversely, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 leaned towards a conservative yet timeless look, typical of Volkswagen’s understated aesthetic. The AWD versions boasted standard 20-inch wheels, and the S Plus trim featured a new 21-inch wheel design. The ID.4 lineup was a bit more complex, with two models (ID.4 and ID.4 Pro) offering different battery sizes: 62-kWh for the ID.4 and 82-kWh for the ID.4 Pro. In terms of appearance, the ID.4 avoided drama but aged well, providing a clean design.

Inside, the ID.4 saw improvements making it more user-friendly and comfortable. The transmission selector switched to a stalk on the right side of the steering wheel, wiper controls moved to the left stalk, and lighting controls were organized on a touch-sensing pad on the dashboard. The new 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system in Pro models simplified usage with an always-visible strip of climate controls and illuminated touch-sliders for volume and temperature at night. Enhanced comfort features included ventilated front seats in Pro S and Pro S Plus models and a new color scheme for artificial leather upholstery.

Front seating in the ID.4 was comfortable, providing an excellent view out. Rear seats offered reasonable legroom and footroom with commendable thigh support and backrest angle, ensuring passenger comfort. Cargo-wise, the ID.4 offered 30.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded—a practical and spacious design suited to various needs.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 maintained its powertrain options with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 delivering 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Both engines featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD).

The Electrified GV70 offered an exciting twist with front and rear electric motors combining for 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, fed by a 77.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack. An extra “Boost Mode” supplied 483 hp for 10-second bursts, enhancing the EV’s straight-line acceleration significantly.

Yet, the GV70 did not excel in extreme sportiness or high comfort. Despite its specs suggesting vigorous acceleration in Sport+ or Boost Mode, the GV70’s heavier chassis and less agile handling made it rank below competitors like the Acura RDX, BMW X3, and Porsche Macan in sporty driving.

Similarly, while the GV70 was comfortable, its suspension tended to crash on bumps rather than absorbing them smoothly. Both gasoline and Electrified models shared these characteristics, affecting overall ride quality despite offering reasonable comfort.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 received a boost in performance with a new rear electric motor for single-motor Pro models, delivering 282 hp and 402 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds—an improvement over the 2023 model. Pro AWD models featured an added front motor for a combined 335 hp, reaching 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Range improved too, with Pro models offering 291 miles (RWD) and 263 miles (AWD) on a full charge, and the standard models providing 206 miles.

All ID.4 models supported 11-kW Level 2 home charging, with the 62-kWh battery recharging in 6.25 hours and the 82-kWh battery in eight hours. DC fast charging brought the 62-kWh battery up to speed in 30 minutes and the 82-kWh in a similar timeframe.

During testing, acceleration vastly improved, making merging and high-speed driving easy, though some road noise was noticeable. The ID.4 handled well with firm but not uncomfortable riding qualities and natural-feeling brake pedals, though not offering a true one-pedal driving system. Overall, the ID.4’s performance proved competitive and capable.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom but more front-seat legroom than models like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. Second-row legroom was marginally higher than the X3 but slightly less than the Q5 and GLC.

Cargo space in the GV70 totaled 28.9 cubic feet with rear seats up and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, comparing favorably against rivals but falling short against the Audi Q5 in total cargo capacity. The Electrified GV70 managed to maintain similar interior and cargo dimensions, despite housing a battery pack.

Stylishly distinct, the GV70’s interior featured unique elements like an orb-like infotainment controller, rotary shifter, and curvaceous dashboard, but at the cost of practical small-item storage. A dedicated phone storage nook and rear-seat climate controls added functional benefits.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4’s interior changes for 2024 enhanced usability and comfort. Transitioning the transmission selector to a steering wheel stalk, moving wiper controls, and grouping lighting controls on a touchpad added ease of use. The Pro versions benefited from a new 12.9-inch touchscreen system that improved accessibility and night usability of touch-sliders.

Comfort upgrades included ventilated front seats in higher trims, and heated front seats, mirrors, washer nozzles, and other amenities across the board. The ID.4 offered ample rear passenger space and supportive seating.

Cargo space for the ID.4 stood at 30.3 cubic feet with rear seats up, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet when folded, making it versatile for various cargo needs. Unlike the GV70, the ID.4 had no front trunk but provided practical cargo solutions within its interior space.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 featured a straightforward but effective infotainment system, borrowed from Hyundai’s parts bin. It included a 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8-inch digital instrument cluster for lower trims, and a 12.3-inch cluster with a nostalgic 3D effect for higher trims. Advanced systems like a 12-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Lexicon audio system were available.

The user-friendly touchscreen interface allowed easy access to functions either directly or via a high-quality rotary controller. Additional features included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and digital key functionality, enhancing personalization and convenience.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 introduced a major upgrade with its 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system in Pro models. Though less visually appealing than some, the improved user experience was notable. The home screen layout facilitated quick access to climate controls, and illuminated touch-sliders for volume and temperature strengthened usability at night.

The ID.4’s navigation system added practical features like battery preconditioning for DC fast-charging sessions. The nine-speaker Harman Kardon sound system available in higher trims elevated the audio experience. Easy phone pairing and wirelessly running Apple CarPlay added convenience, though the built-in voice assistant Ida showed inconsistent performance.

Volkswagen provided three years of complimentary Plus Nav and Plus Speech services, alongside five years of Car-Net connected services, covering remote access, safe and secure plans, roadside assistance, and optional Wi-Fi hotspot functionality. Overall, ID.4’s tech enhancements were practical and aimed at simplifying the user experience.

The 2024 Genesis GV70’s gasoline models earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, and the Electrified GV70 followed suit as a 2023 model. While NHTSA ratings were pending, four-star frontal and rollover crash-test results were published for gasoline versions, similar to the 2023 model’s five-star overall rating.

Standard safety features included essentials like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered Highway Driving Assist 2, combining adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering with additional features like blind-spot monitoring. Genesis’ sophisticated safe exit assist and rear occupant alert systems provided high-tech safety conveniences.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 included a post-collision braking system to prevent secondary collisions. The IQ.Drive suite provided advanced driver assistance features, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, the latter capable of recognizing unresponsive drivers and stopping the vehicle safely.

The ID.4's semi-autonomous Travel Assist function performed well on brief freeway tests, while Memory Parking allowed saving parking maneuvers for easier future use. NHTSA crash test results were favorable, with IIHS ratings incomplete but positive where evaluated.