2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Genesis GV70 stood out with its distinctive styling, diverging from the rest of the brand’s lineup. It featured the brand’s signature two-line lighting, creating an illusion of a contiguous circle around the vehicle. The GV70’s design was unique, with a distinct shoulder line and undulating accent lines around the side windows. The Sport and Sport Plus grades had a sculpted hood aligning with the Genesis crest-shaped logo, and dark chrome finishes added to its sporty intent. Customers could choose from over 100 colour combinations, with exclusive options for the Sport grades. The cabin featured an elliptical theme inspired by airplane wings, with premium materials like quilted leather and carbon fibre inserts in the Sport trims.

The 2022 Lexus RX maintained a modern and sporty design, with aggressive exterior styling that stood out among its competitors. The character lines were razor-sharp, and angular features were prominent, especially in the F Sport models, which had 20-inch wheels, black-housing mirrors, and unique front fascia. The RX’s interior offered luxury appeal, with F Sport models adding sporty elements like Scored Aluminum trim and NuLuxe synthetic leather. Despite its dated centre stack, the RX provided a high-quality feel with soft-touch surfaces and a comfortable ride. However, the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport were less comfortable, and finding an ideal driving position was challenging.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 producing 375 hp. The V6 engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, delivered impressive power figures, surpassing some German competitors. The GV70 featured Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes, with Sport+ offering aggressive throttle response and partial traction control disabling. The electronically controlled suspension system provided a balance between comfort and road feel, and the GV70’s tight turning radius was advantageous in urban environments.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 295 horsepower, while the hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with electric motors for 308 hp. Despite its F Sport designation, the RX lacked sporty performance, with an unimpressive engine note and hesitant acceleration. The RX featured adaptive variable suspension and drive modes, including Sport and Sport+, but the differences in driving dynamics were minimal. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing rough patches and providing a serene ride. Fuel consumption for the RX 350 was estimated at 12.2 L/100 km in the city and 10.8 combined, while the RX 450h offered better efficiency at 7.9 L/100 km combined.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 prioritized driver-focused design, with a tall centre console and intuitive controls within easy reach. The cabin featured standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated front and rear seats available on higher trims. The rear space was enhanced by a panoramic sunroof, but storage was limited. Cargo volume was generous, with 819 litres behind the second row and 1,610 litres with seats folded. The GV70’s ergonomics were above average, though the steering wheel functions required some getting used to.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered 2,826 litres of passenger volume in the two-row model, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row L models had limited cargo space, with only 210 litres available with all seats upright. The RX’s cargo area had a high load-in height, but thoughtful features like a smartphone slot and adjustable cup holder added convenience. The RX’s interior was well-appointed, with a mix of leather and wood trim options, but the rear seats didn’t fold completely flat.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 impressed with its technology offerings, including a standard 14.5-inch high-definition LCD infotainment screen with split-screen capability. The premium Sport Plus grade featured a 3D digital instrument cluster and a fingerprint recognition system for keyless start. A nine-speaker audio system was standard, with an 18-speaker Lexicon surround sound system available on top trims. The GV70 also included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not in wireless form.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available on higher trims. The touchscreen’s positioning was ergonomically challenging, and the touchpad control was hypersensitive and unintuitive. Despite these issues, the RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, and a WiFi hotspot. The RX also provided a premium audio system and advanced climate control options.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came equipped with ten standard safety features, including blind spot collision avoidance, lane departure warning, and forward collision avoidance assist. The Highway Driving Assist system offered lane centring and automatic lane changing functions. A new rear occupant alert system used radar to detect movement in the second row. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a pre-collision system. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a head-up display. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights but missed the top-tier “plus” designation. The NHTSA awarded the RX four stars overall, with five stars in side crash tests.