2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2022 Genesis GV70 stood out with its distinctive styling, a hallmark of Korean automotive brands. It diverged from the rest of the Genesis lineup, featuring the brand's signature two-line lighting that created an illusion of a contiguous circle around the vehicle. The GV70's design was unique, with a shoulder line and accent lines that set it apart from other Genesis models. The Sport and Sport Plus grades boasted a sculpted hood and dark chrome finishes, enhancing its sporty appeal. Customers could choose from over 100 colour combinations, with exclusive options for the Sport grades. Inside, the GV70's cabin featured an elliptical theme inspired by airplane wings, with premium materials and unique upholstery configurations.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a bold, sporty, and upscale appearance, especially in the Execline trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels. The Atlas Cross Sport's design was characterized by its rakish coupe-like appearance, achieved by removing the third row and lowering the roofline. While the base Comfortline trim's 18-inch wheels seemed small, the Highline's 20-inch wheels were more fitting. The interior featured a Dark Burgundy over Titan Black colour scheme, with other options available. However, the use of hard, glossy plastic in the interior detracted from the overall quality impression. Despite this, the Atlas Cross Sport provided a spacious and comfortable cabin, with ample storage and a generous cargo area.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options, with the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 being the standout performer. This engine delivered 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque, positioning the GV70 as a strong competitor against mid-level performance SUVs like the BMW X3 M40i and Audi SQ5. The GV70's fuel consumption was estimated at 11.6 L/100 km combined, with real-world testing showing slightly lower figures. The GV70 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, with a rear-axle bias for improved traction. The Sport Plus grade included an electronic limited-slip differential, enhancing performance. The GV70's drive modes, including Sport+ and terrain modes, offered versatility, while the electronically controlled suspension provided a balanced ride.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came with two engine choices, with the 3.6-litre V6 being the more powerful option. It produced 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The V6 engine's fuel economy was rated at 12.2 L/100 km combined. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion all-wheel drive. The Atlas Cross Sport's driving modes included Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad, with additional settings within the Onroad mode. The V6 engine provided a more energetic feel in the two-row version, but the suspension tuning was criticized for being too firm at low speeds and too soft at higher speeds. The Atlas Cross Sport excelled on highways, offering a comfortable ride, though road noise was noticeable.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 prioritized the driver with its interior design, featuring a tall centre console and intuitive controls. The infotainment system was controlled by a raised dial, and climate controls were configured under a single pane with haptic feedback. Standard features included heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available. The rear passenger space was enhanced by a panoramic sunroof and manual sunshades, though storage was limited. The GV70 offered 819 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 1,610 litres with the seats folded.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its interior dimensions with the larger seven-passenger model, providing ample space for five adults. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seats, and a dual-zone climate control system. A panoramic sunroof added to the spacious feel, while rear sunshades protected passengers from sunlight. The Atlas Cross Sport offered generous storage, though the lack of lining in storage areas could lead to rattling. The cargo area was spacious, with additional storage under the load floor, though the shorter length and lower roofline reduced cargo space compared to the seven-passenger model.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 impressed with its technology offerings, including a 14.5-inch high-definition LCD infotainment screen with split-screen capability. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wirelessly. The premium Sport Plus grade featured a 3D digital instrument cluster and Blind View Monitor system. A fingerprint recognition system allowed for keyless vehicle start. The GV70 also offered a premium 18-speaker Lexicon surround sound system on top grades, with USB ports for both front and rear passengers.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport's base Comfortline trim included a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system offered remote connectivity through Car-Net, though user experience issues were noted. The Execline trim featured a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system, which was highly praised. However, the overall technology experience was marred by frustrating interactions with the touchscreen and voice recognition.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came equipped with ten standard safety features, including blind spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist. The Highway Driving Assist system offered lane centring and automatic lane changing, though it required hands-on operation. 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 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert standard across all trims. The Execline trim included a semi-autonomous Park Assist system and a 360-degree camera system. Travel Assist and Emergency Assist provided additional safety, though some issues with lane assist technology were noted. The Atlas Cross Sport received favourable crash-test ratings, though not the highest accolades from the IIHS or NHTSA.