2023 Genesis GV80 vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2023 Genesis GV80 presented a sophisticated and graceful exterior with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille, embodying a stately presence at over 16 feet long. The standard 19-inch wheels were upgraded to 22-inch alloy wheels in the Prestige trim, enhancing its elegant appearance. The rear design mirrored the front with four-part taillamps above dual exhausts, and the hands-free liftgate maintained a boxy shape, which did not detract from its overall elegance. The matte Brunswick Green paint added a touch of refinement, which continued inside with quilted leather seats in the same dark green hue. The interior featured a split dash with thin horizontal air vents, complemented by metal and matte wood trim. The center console was highlighted by three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes, while the unique two-spoke steering wheel set it apart from other luxury brands. The 14.5-inch infotainment screen, although slightly awkwardly placed, was a minor inconvenience in an otherwise spacious and luxurious interior.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a true crossover built on the TNGA-K platform, sharing its underpinnings with the regular Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, and Camry. It was not a body-on-frame vehicle, which limited its towing capacity to 5,000 pounds. The Grand Highlander was notably large, measuring 201.4 inches in length with a 116.1-inch wheelbase, surpassing competitors like the Kia Telluride. Its design was more conservative and blockier than the smaller Highlander, drawing inspiration from rugged vehicles like the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride. The trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights bore a resemblance to the 4Runner. Available in XLE, Limited, and Platinum trims, the interior offered light gray or black Softex synthetic leather on the XLE, with real leather on higher trims. The Platinum trim featured Portobello upholstery with the top-spec engine. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, and a large center console. The Grand Highlander excelled as a road-trip vehicle, with quality materials and seamless construction.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options, both with all-wheel drive: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a turbo 3.5-liter V6 delivering 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the GV80 was not particularly athletic or nimble, it excelled in highway driving with smooth power delivery and shifts. The electronically controlled suspension, combined with active noise cancellation, provided a quiet and comfortable ride.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options: a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid with 245 combined net horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, and the Hybrid Max powertrain with 362 combined net horsepower and 400 combined net pound-feet of torque. The gas and hybrid engines were available with front-wheel and all-wheel drive, while the Hybrid Max was AWD only. The Hybrid Max offered impressive acceleration with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander was not as maneuverable as its smaller counterpart, but it offered solid brakes and adequate acceleration. Three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—were available, with additional modes for AWD-equipped models.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 boasted numerous luxury features, including heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated front and rear seats. The Ergo Motion driver’s seat offered fatigue-reducing inflation and deflation. Nappa leather seats added to the sumptuous feel. A third row was available, though legroom was limited. The GV80 featured Genesis puddle lamps, a proximity key, and a digital key. The tri-zone climate control system and optional 21-speaker stereo system enhanced comfort and entertainment. The GV80 offered 34.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 84 cubic feet with seats folded, and a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its rivals, with a total cargo capacity of 97.5 cubic feet. It offered 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 20.6 cubic feet with all three rows up. The spacious interior provided ample head, leg, and shoulder room in every row, accommodating six-foot adults in the third row. The Grand Highlander was comfortable, with good outward visibility and a big greenhouse.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. The infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, and the dial was cumbersome to use. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wirelessly. Wireless charging, four USB ports, a 12-volt outlet, and a 110-volt outlet were available. The GV80 also offered remote smart parking assist, allowing the car to maneuver in and out of parking spaces without the driver inside.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a visually stunning interface. An intelligent assistant was available via a connected-services subscription, handling tasks through voice commands. The subscription also included cloud-based navigation and live agent assistance. Standard features included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an 11-speaker JBL stereo. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were available, with additional options through the Wi-Fi Connect package.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with standard advanced driver’s aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The digital gauge cluster displayed a video feed of the car’s blind spot. Highway Drive Assist used cameras, radar, and navigation for hands-on/eyes-up driving aid. The GV80 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating for crashworthiness from the IIHS.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control offered four following-distance settings. The Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.