2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2022 Genesis GV70 showcased a distinctive design that borrowed elements from other Genesis models while maintaining its unique identity. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that added a fastback flair to its SUV bulk. The ribbed detailing enhanced its muscular profile, blending ruggedness with sleekness. The Sport Prestige models stood out with unique styling elements, including a model-specific front fascia with large vents, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark chrome trim. The interior boasted an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, with a minimalistic design that included a perched touchscreen, hidden air vents, and a rotary gear selector, creating a luxurious yet futuristic ambiance.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda HR-V underwent a significant styling update, shedding some of its predecessor's quirky charm for a more sophisticated and modern look. The lowered beltline and simplified detailing contributed to its sleek appearance, with cleaner lines and fewer interruptions. The windshield wipers were discreetly tucked under the hood's lip, and the black molding strips on the roof were removed. The HR-V Sport trim featured 18-inch black alloy wheels, a black rear spoiler, and a chrome exhaust, while the EX-L trim offered perforated leather seats and dual-zone climate control. The interior followed a trend of refinement, with a metal honeycomb grille hiding the vents and a sculptural center console design. Despite the fastback look, visibility remained good, with larger rear seat windows and door-mounted mirrors.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two powertrain options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The GV70 included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, features more common in sporty coupes than compact SUVs. The Sport+ drive mode enhanced throttle response and transmission behavior for spirited driving, but the GV70's chassis and steering lacked the sharpness of some competitors. The ride was firm, even in Comfort mode, and the exhaust sound was not particularly pleasant.

The 2023 Honda HR-V came with a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. This was an improvement over the previous model, and the updated continuously variable transmission (CVT) included a Step-Shift function to mimic traditional automatic transmission sounds. The HR-V offered Normal, Snow, and ECON drive modes, with Sport mode available by shifting the lever. The new front and independent rear suspensions, along with widened tracks, made the HR-V enjoyable to drive on winding roads, though it was not overpowered. The HR-V was available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or AWD, and while it was fun to drive, it lacked the multiple powertrain options of some competitors.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 provided mid-pack interior space for its segment. It offered comparable front-seat headroom to the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom to the BMW X3. Legroom was adequate, and rear-seat visibility was good. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing it in the middle ground of its class. The interior design, while daring, compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior despite its size. The center console featured a shelf for drive mode controls and USB ports, providing convenient storage. The HR-V's fastback design sacrificed less than half an inch of rear-seat headroom, with measurements of 39.4 inches in the front and 38.0 inches in the rear. Cargo space was 24.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 55.1 cubic feet with them folded, slightly smaller than the previous model. The HR-V's 60/40 split rear seats offered a higher seating position and a nearly flat floor when folded. Passenger volume varied by trim, with the EX-L interior growing slightly. Front legroom improved to 41.9 inches, while rear legroom decreased to 37.7 inches.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly, and the glass rotary controller offered pinch-and-zoom functionality. Higher trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch head-up display with a 3D effect. The GV70 also offered a digital-key feature, a fingerprint scanner for starting the car, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services provided remote camera activation, driver profiles, and more, free for three years.

The 2023 Honda HR-V's infotainment system featured a tablet-style touchscreen with physical knobs for power and volume. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, with wireless versions available on the EX-L. The EX-L also offered a 9-inch display, a wireless charging pad, and Smart Shortcuts. All HR-Vs included a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 7-inch color touchscreen display. The EX-L trim added an eight-speaker audio system, WiFi capability, and SiriusXM and HD Radio.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came with standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver-attention monitor. It also featured Highway Driving Assist with automated lane centering and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The GV70 had eight airbags, including a front-center airbag.

The 2023 Honda HR-V included the Honda Sensing suite as standard, offering adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, road-departure mitigation, and forward-collision warning. New features for 2023 included traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and automatic high-beams. A driver-attention monitor was standard, and the Sport and EX-L trims added a blind-spot information system. The EX-L also featured front and rear parking sensors and low-speed braking control. The 2023 HR-V had not been crash-tested, but the 2022 model received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.