2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2024 Genesis GV70 was a standout in the Genesis lineup, offering a sleek design that balanced luxury and SUV presence. Its styling was more refined than the larger GV80 and avoided the quirkiness of the smaller GV60. Notable features included split headlights, a large shield-like grille, and a hatchback-like rear window profile. The GV70's design was more sophisticated compared to competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3, which lacked finesse, and the Porsche Macan, which struggled with SUV proportions. The Electrified GV70 maintained the same styling as its gasoline counterpart, with a unique grille housing the charge port for easy access at charging stations. Inside, the GV70 boasted a distinctive interior with quilted Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and an elliptical pod for climate controls. The infotainment system featured a rotary controller with a unique design, and the dashboard had a rounded cross-section, adding to its distinctiveness.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, tested in snowy conditions near Mount Rainier National Park, showcased its capability with the Rock Creek trim. Equipped with 3-Peak Mud-and-Snow-rated Toyo Open Country AT3 tires and standard all-wheel drive, the Pathfinder handled the challenging terrain with ease. The Rock Creek trim featured a rugged look with beadlock-style wheels, a V-Motion grille, and stacked LED lighting elements. A metal roof rack and exposed trailer hitch emphasized its adventurous nature. Despite its tough appearance, the Pathfinder was a unibody crossover, lacking additional ground clearance and protective skid plates. Inside, the Rock Creek trim offered leatherette-and-cloth upholstery with bright orange "Rock Creek" logos. The Pathfinder's interior was comfortable, with standard three-zone climate control and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The EZ Flex Seating System allowed easy access to the third row without removing a car seat, making it family-friendly.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered a range of powertrain options, including a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. A more powerful 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 was available, delivering 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors, producing a combined 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a "Boost Mode" providing 483 hp for short bursts. While the GV70 offered strong straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning was less sporty, feeling heavier and slower through corners compared to rivals like the Acura RDX and BMW X3. The suspension was reasonably comfortable but tended to crash over bumps. The Electrified GV70 maintained similar driving dynamics, with adjustable regenerative braking for one-pedal driving and an EPA-rated 236-mile range.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque in most trims. The Rock Creek trim received a slight power boost to 295 hp and 270 lb-ft, with premium fuel recommended. A nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous CVT, providing smooth shifts. The Pathfinder's towing capacity reached 6,000 pounds with the Platinum and Rock Creek trims, thanks to a standard transmission oil cooler. The Pathfinder's soft suspension offered a comfortable ride on bumpy roads but felt floaty on twisty roads. The Rock Creek trim was best suited for light off-roading, with its all-terrain tires impacting fuel efficiency. The Pathfinder's fuel economy was slightly better than some competitors, with 20 mpg city, 23 highway, and 21 combined. Seven drive modes, including Snow and Mud/Rut, adjusted power delivery and transmission shift points for optimal traction.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 provided competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom than rivals like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 but more front-seat legroom than the BMW and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. The GV70 offered 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, more than the Mercedes but less than the Audi. Folding the rear seats expanded cargo capacity to 56.9 cubic feet. The Electrified GV70 had minimal impact on interior space, with slight reductions in legroom and headroom. The stylish interior design, featuring an orb-like infotainment controller and rotary shifter, limited small-item storage. Automatic side bolsters in the front seats provided additional support during spirited driving.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, while not offering as much cargo capacity as some competitors, provided ample interior space for real-world needs. During a ski trip with four adults, the Pathfinder comfortably accommodated passengers and gear. With the third row folded, cargo space increased to 45 cubic feet, and with both rows down, it reached 80.5 cubic feet. The Rock Creek trim featured a power liftgate and captain's chairs with a removable center console. The EZ Flex Seating System allowed easy access to the third row without removing a car seat. The Pathfinder's interior was comfortable, with three-zone climate control and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat in the Rock Creek trim.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a rotary controller for easy navigation. A fingerprint scanner and digital key functionality were also included, allowing for personalized driver profiles and phone-based keyless entry.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder's infotainment system lagged behind competitors, with an 8-inch screen in lower trims and a 9-inch screen in higher trims. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but wireless projection was limited to Apple devices on the 9-inch screen. A 6-speaker stereo was standard, with a 13-speaker Bose system available on higher trims. The Pathfinder offered voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Navigation was standard on the SL and Platinum trims, with a 12.3-inch driver-information display exclusive to the Platinum trim.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA for the 2023 model. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Highway Driving Assist. A more advanced Highway Driving Assist 2 system was available, adding automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Genesis also offered a safe exit assist function and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and rear automatic braking. Adaptive cruise control and ProPilot Assist were standard on all but the base trim. Traffic sign recognition was available on higher trims.