2021 Genesis GV80 vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as Genesis's first SUV, was a fresh design that managed to balance innovation with the brand's emerging signature style. It featured a sleek two-box design with a long hood and short front overhang, complemented by a massive trapezoidal grille and distinctive Quad Lamp LED headlights. The GV80's exterior was marked by elegant lines and high-quality finishes, with uniform panel gaps and a choice of aluminum-alloy wheels ranging from 19 to 22 inches. Inside, the GV80 offered a luxurious experience with a minimalist dashboard, real wood and leather materials, and a 14.5-inch high-definition display, creating a sophisticated and spacious environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota 4Runner retained its rugged, adventure-ready design, staying true to its roots with a high ride height and boxy proportions. The 4Runner's exterior was designed for off-road functionality, featuring a sharply angled front bumper and a power-sliding rear window. Inside, the 4Runner's cabin reflected its last full redesign in 2009, with a straightforward dash layout and practical features. The 4Runner offered various trims, including the Trail, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off Road, Limited, and TRD Pro, each with unique features like the Yakima LoadWarrior cargo basket and TRD-specific enhancements.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The GV80's ride was enhanced by an electronically controlled suspension with road preview on the 3.5T models, providing a smooth driving experience. Fuel consumption for the 2.5T was rated at 11.3 L/100 km city and 9.5 highway, while the 3.5T was rated at 12.9 L/100 km city and 10.4 highway.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a single 4.0-litre V6 engine, delivering 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. While the engine was reliable, it felt underwhelming in most driving situations. The 4Runner's ride was harsh on paved roads but excelled off-road, with features like Crawl Control and a locking differential on the TRD models. The 4Runner had a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms, suitable for light towing needs.

The 2021 Genesis GV80's interior was a blend of technology and luxury, featuring a rotary gear selector, a circular multimedia controller, and capacitive touch buttons for the HVAC system. The second row was spacious, with power-adjustable seats and window shades, while the third row was available on 3.5T models, increasing passenger capacity to seven. The GV80's interior was designed for comfort and convenience, with features like a sunroof and three-row climate control.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner offered a maximum cargo capacity of 2,540 litres in the two-row version, with 1,337 litres behind the second row. The three-row model reduced maximum cargo space to 2,514 litres. The 4Runner's cabin was practical but not as spacious as more modern SUVs, with a power rear window for easy access to the cargo area. The third-row seat was available only on the Limited package, increasing seating capacity to seven.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch HD touchscreen with user-configurable displays, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system offered cloud connectivity, over-the-air updates, and a digital key function for Android users. The GV80 also included Genesis Connected Services for five years, providing features like remote start and vehicle health reports. A head-up display and a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster were available on higher trims, along with a Lexicon Quantum Logic Surround audio system with 21 speakers.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio. While the system was straightforward and relied on tactile controls, it lacked advanced features like a head-up display. The 4Runner offered a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system as an upgrade, but the infotainment system remained basic compared to more modern offerings.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came with 10 airbags and a suite of driver assistance features, including blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision-avoidance assist. The GV80 also offered adaptive cruise control with machine learning and highway-driving assist, along with Remote Smart Parking Assist for automated parking.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner included the Toyota Safety Sense suite, featuring forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. The 4Runner received four stars for frontal and side-impact testing from the NHTSA, with three stars for rollover testing. It was backed by a five-year/100,000-kilometre powertrain warranty.