2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2025 Subaru Outback

The 2024 Genesis GV70 distinguished itself within the Genesis lineup and its competitive set with its sleek design and luxury-car style. It featured signature Genesis styling elements like split headlights and a large shield-like grille, but it was sleeker than the larger GV80 and avoided the quirkiness of the smaller GV60. Notable details included a hatchback-like rear window profile, large round exhaust outlets on the Sport Prestige trim, and distinctive 21-inch wheels. The GV70 struck a balance between SUV size and luxury, offering a more refined look compared to competitors like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. The Electrified GV70 maintained the same styling as the gasoline models, with a shiny grille housing the charge port. Inside, the GV70 boasted a distinctive interior with quilted Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and unique design elements like an elliptical pod for climate controls and a rotary infotainment controller.

In contrast, the 2025 Subaru Outback stood out as one of the few remaining wagons in the U.S. market, adopting crossover trends with chunky wheel-arch flares, skid plate-like fascias, and a robust roof rack. Its design conveyed a sense of adventure, appealing to those who sought off-road capabilities. The Outback's Crimson Red Pearl paint complemented its black leather interior, though it looked best in earthy shades. Subaru focused on catering to buyers who needed a vehicle capable of handling dirt roads, and this strategy paid off, as the Outback, along with the Crosstrek and Forester, became best-sellers. The 2025 model saw no major changes, with trims like Base and Premium featuring cloth upholstery and 17-inch wheels, while higher trims like Onyx and Wilderness offered StarTex synthetic leather. The Limited trim gained features like a power moonroof and DriverFocus tech. The Touring XT trim added Nappa leather and ventilated front seats. The Outback's rugged exterior housed a well-executed interior with minimal chrome and glossy black plastic, easy-to-read gauges, and a small digital display.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered two gasoline powertrain options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors delivering 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 didn't match its sporty rivals, feeling heavier and less agile through corners. The ride quality was reasonable but not exceptional, with the suspension tending to crash over bumps. The Electrified GV70 maintained similar dynamics to the gasoline model, with the added benefit of adjustable regenerative braking and a 236-mile EPA-rated range.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured a horizontally opposed "Boxer" engine available in two forms: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine producing 260 hp and 277 lb-ft. Both engines ran on regular unleaded gas and were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard AWD. The turbocharged engine provided smart acceleration, though the Outback wasn't a performance car. The Outback's 8.7 inches of ground clearance and X-Mode optimized traction on slippery surfaces, with the Wilderness model offering 9.5 inches of clearance and additional off-road features. The Outback's smooth and comfortable ride, light steering, and powerful brakes made it a pleasant companion on rough roads. However, the stop/start technology and CVT's response could be improved.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom than rivals like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, but more front-seat legroom than the BMW and Mercedes. The GV70's 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats up was better than the Mercedes and BMW but less than the Audi. Folding the rear seats provided 56.9 cubic feet, less than its German competitors. The Electrified GV70's interior space was minimally impacted by the battery pack, with slight reductions in legroom and headroom. The stylish interior design, including the infotainment controller and rotary shifter, limited small-item storage, but a dedicated phone storage nook and rear-seat climate controls were included. The Electrified GV70 also featured automatic side bolsters for the front seats in Sport mode.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's wagon shape offered practicality, with easy entry and exit due to its lower chassis. The low center of gravity, aided by the flat-four engine design, contributed to agile handling. The Outback provided 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat up and 75.6 cubic feet with the bench folded, slightly smaller than some crossovers but with a flat floor and square shape for maximum utility. The Outback's total passenger volume of 109 cubic feet was larger than its crossover competition, with more front headroom and legroom than the Honda CR-V. Buyers were advised to test drive different trims, as the Limited or Touring grades and the Wilderness model with its off-road features drove differently. The Outback's towing capacity increased from 2,700 pounds to 3,500 pounds with the turbocharged engine.

The 2024 Genesis GV70's infotainment system, borrowed from Hyundai, was simpler than those in the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. It featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trims had an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, while higher grades offered a 12.3-inch unit with a 3D effect. A 12-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Lexicon audio system were available. The touchscreen had an intuitive layout, and a rotary controller on the center console provided an alternative control method. Genesis included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and a digital key functionality for using a phone as a key fob.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's technology package included an 11.6-inch touchscreen with large icons, though the Starlink infotainment system was slow to respond, especially at startup. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, with wireless connectivity except for the base model's twin 7-inch displays. The Harman Kardon 12-speaker audio system performed well, though Starlink disturbances affected audio output. The dashboard featured a mix of buttons and knobs, with some functions requiring touchscreen interaction. The 2025 Outback Touring included a CD player and both USB-A and USB-C ports for device connectivity.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's highest Top Safety Pick+ award for gasoline models, with the Electrified GV70 receiving the same award as a 2023 model. NHTSA ratings for 2024 were incomplete, but the gasoline GV70 received four-star frontal and rollover crash-test ratings, with the 2023 model earning a five-star overall rating. All GV70 models came with standard safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Highway Driving Assist. The optional Highway Driving Assist 2 system added automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Genesis also offered high-tech safety features like safe exit assist and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured EyeSight driver-assist technology with adaptive cruise control, lane centering, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The system kept the Outback in its lane but with more side-to-side movement than desired. Onyx and higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The DriverFocus system monitored for driver distraction, though it occasionally issued false notifications. The 2024 Outback earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, and the 2025 model was expected to perform similarly. The 2025 Outback received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.