2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Nissan Kicks underwent significant exterior changes, aligning its design more closely with other models in the Nissan lineup, such as the Armada and Rogue. The front of the Kicks featured a bold, double V-motion design, complemented by thinner, longer headlights that extended down the face of the vehicle. The top-tier Kicks SR and SR Premium trims were equipped with LED multi-reflector headlights and standard LED fog lights. At the rear, a new bumper and LED taillight combination gave the Kicks a proportional look reminiscent of the Nissan Leaf. The model offered a variety of new paint options, including Electric Blue Metallic and Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, with a two-tone paint job available for most colours, enhancing its upmarket appearance.

Inside, the Kicks maintained its familiar styling but incorporated higher quality materials, drawing inspiration from the 2020 Nissan Sentra. The interior featured new seat and door designs, with the Kicks SR Premium offering Prima-Tex-appointed seating with a three-tone design. The SR Premium trim also included LED headlights, black heated outside mirrors, and a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, contributing to a sportier aesthetic. Buyers could further customize their Kicks with over 100 million colour combinations using Nissan Kicks Colour Studio accessories.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 stood out with its distinctive styling, diverging from the rest of the Genesis lineup. It featured the brand's two-line lighting signature, creating an illusion of a contiguous circle around the vehicle. The GV70's design included a unique shoulder line and accent lines around the side windows, with dark chrome finishes on the grille and exterior elements enhancing its sporty intent. The Sport grades received a cross-hatched matrix pattern on the exterior, including the standard 21-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the GV70's cabin was designed with the driver in mind, featuring a tall centre console and intuitive button and dial controls. The climate controls were configured under a single pane, providing haptic feedback for ease of use. The GV70 offered a range of interior options, including quilted leather seats and genuine carbon fibre inserts on the Sport trims. The rear space was enhanced by a large panoramic sunroof and manual rear window sunshades, while the cargo area provided ample storage with 819 litres behind the second row and 1,610 litres with the seats folded.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks was powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with Nissan's Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel drive option available. The Kicks featured electric power-assisted steering and a front independent strut stabilizer bar suspension, providing nimble handling in various driving conditions. Despite being low-powered, the Kicks offered a good power-to-weight ratio, making it suitable for its size. The Kicks SR Premium maintained its composure on icy roads, with minimal engine noise entering the cabin. The model came with standard 16-inch steel wheels on the Kicks S trim, while the SV and SR trims received 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options, with the test unit equipped with a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, prioritizing the rear axle for optimal performance. The GV70 featured Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes, with the Sport+ mode delivering aggressive throttle response and partial traction control disabling. The electronically controlled suspension system used a forward camera to detect road surface changes, providing a balance between comfort and feedback. The GV70's turning radius was notably tight, aiding in urban environments.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a well-utilized interior space, with easy-to-reach buttons and knobs throughout the cabin. The model featured good small-item storage, easy-access USB ports, and multiple smartphone storage options. Climate controls were straightforward, and seat warmers provided quick warmth. The Kicks included a D-shaped steering wheel, adjustable front seats, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The model boasted best-in-class front seat legroom, though hip room was somewhat limited for larger drivers. The rear seats comfortably accommodated adults, and the available tonneau cover provided hidden storage in the cargo area.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 prioritized driver-focused design, with a tall centre console and intuitive controls. The climate controls were configured under a single pane, offering haptic feedback for ease of use. The GV70 included standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available on higher trims. The rear space featured a large panoramic sunroof and manual rear window sunshades, though storage was limited. The cargo area offered 819 litres of space behind the second row, expanding to 1,610 litres with the seats folded.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came equipped with a range of modern technology features, including a 7-inch infotainment touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The Kicks SV added features like Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, and satellite radio. The Kicks SR Premium boasted a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system with eight speakers, providing immersive 360-degree sound. The model also included a surround-view monitor for enhanced parking assistance.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch high-definition LCD infotainment screen, offering high-resolution graphics and a split-screen layout. The premium Sport Plus grade included a 3D digital instrument cluster, enabling Hyundai's Blind View Monitor system. The GV70 introduced a fingerprint recognition system for keyless vehicle start. A nine-speaker audio system was standard, with an 18-speaker Lexicon surround sound system available on top grades.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks was equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, a suite of driver-assistance features including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot warning. The Kicks SV and SR added adaptive cruise control and a driver alertness monitor. The 2021 Kicks received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a strong history of few recalls.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 included ten standard safety features, such as blind spot collision avoidance assist and lane-keeping assist. The model introduced a rear occupant alert system using radar to detect movement. The Genesis Highway Driving Assist system provided lane centring and automatic lane changing functions. As of publication, safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the GV70.