2023 Genesis GV70 vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2023 Genesis GV70 was a stylish SUV that drew inspiration from its sedan counterpart, the G70. Its design featured split-bar headlights and a strong chrome line that visually connected it to the sedan, giving it a coupe-like appearance without sacrificing versatility. Inside, the GV70's cabin was a testament to luxury, with top-notch materials and a design that was both contemporary and classic. The dashboard featured a full touchscreen, backed by a rotary dial and button controls, offering a user-friendly experience. The GV70 was available in both gas-powered and electrified versions, with various trims offering a range of luxury features, from genuine leather upholstery to advanced driver-assistance systems.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a larger, more rugged-looking SUV, built on the TNGA-K platform. It shared its underpinnings with the regular Highlander and other Toyota models, offering a spacious interior that was larger than many of its competitors. The Grand Highlander's design was more conservative, with a blockier appearance reminiscent of the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride. Inside, it offered a choice of Softex synthetic leather or real leather upholstery, depending on the trim level. The Grand Highlander was designed for comfort and practicality, with features like a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, and a large center console. It excelled as a road-trip vehicle, with a reputation for mechanical reliability and a well-built interior.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a choice between two gas-powered engines and an electrified version. The 2.5T model featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, while the 3.5T model boasted a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The GV70 Electrified used a 77.4-kWh battery pack, powering two electric motors for a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a Boost Mode increasing output to 483 horsepower for short bursts. The electric version had a range of 236 miles and featured DC fast charging capabilities.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options. The base model came with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid option provided 245 combined net horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain delivered 362 combined net horsepower and 400 combined net lb-ft of torque. The Grand Highlander was available with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, with the Hybrid Max exclusively offering AWD. While not designed for sports car performance, the Hybrid Max offered impressive acceleration with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander featured three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional off-road modes for AWD models.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 provided 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 28.9 cubic feet with the seats in use. It featured a hands-free power liftgate and a well-designed interior with decently large cupholders and a helpful tray in the center console. While the front seats were comfortable and adjustable, rear legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to slide their seats forward for more space.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its rivals, offering 97.5 cubic feet of total cargo capacity. With the second-row seats in place, it provided 57.9 cubic feet, and with all three rows up, there were 20.6 cubic feet available. The Grand Highlander was designed for comfort, with ample head, leg, and shoulder room in every row. Its spacious interior made it a practical choice for families, and its big greenhouse offered good outward visibility.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It included four USB ports, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system. The touchscreen was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menu navigation, complemented by a rotary dial and helpful buttons in the center console.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a visually stunning interface. It included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An intelligent assistant and cloud-based navigation were available via a connected-services subscription. The Limited and Platinum trims featured an 11-speaker JBL stereo, providing a balanced audio experience. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were also available.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technology, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features like a blind-spot camera system and a 360-degree parking camera system were available in higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings was also standard.