2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2022 Genesis GV70 stood out with its distinctive styling, a hallmark of Korean automotive brands. It diverged notably 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, equipped with a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6, featured a sculpted hood and dark chrome finishes, emphasizing the vehicle’s sporty intent. Customers could choose from over 100 colour combinations, with exclusive options for the Sport grades.

Inside, the GV70’s cabin was designed with an elliptical theme, inspired by airplane wings. The Sport trims offered genuine carbon fibre inserts, and a backlit graphic design was available in some interiors. The premium grades featured quilted leather seats and door panels, while the interior surfaces were mostly of high quality, with some plastic elements in less frequently encountered areas. Overall, the GV70’s interior was luxurious and well-crafted, with a few minor areas for improvement.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid marked a significant departure in styling from its predecessors, presenting a more assertive and truck-like appearance. It was longer and wider, with a muscular stance that was visually evident. The classic D-pillar taillights were modernized with three L shapes, and the rear end appeared blockier, complementing the bold front fascia. The CR-V Hybrid Touring trim featured black roof rails, mirrors, and wheels, enhancing its sporty look.

Inside, the CR-V Hybrid followed the design direction of the 2022 Civic and 2023 HR-V, with a honeycomb grille surrounding the climate control vents. The materials in the Hybrid Touring cabin felt high-quality, with attractive contrast stitching on the seats and steering wheel. The interior design was consistent with Honda’s trend toward a more premium feel, offering a comfortable and stylish environment for passengers.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine was designed to compete with mid-level performance SUVs like the BMW X3 M40i and Audi SQ5, boasting higher power figures than many German counterparts. Fuel consumption for the V6 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 priority for torque distribution. The Sport Plus grade included an electronic limited-slip differential, allowing up to 100% of torque to be sent to a single rear wheel. The GV70 offered Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes, with Sport+ delivering aggressive throttle response and partial traction control disabling. The electronically controlled suspension system provided a balance between comfort and road feedback, and the GV70’s turning radius was notably tight for urban environments.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a new hybrid powertrain combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. This made it the most powerful CR-V to date, with a top speed of 185 km/h. The hybrid powertrain offered a 15 lb-ft boost in torque, enhancing responsiveness for tasks like highway merging. The CR-V Hybrid was rated for towing up to 450 kg. It came with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and four drive modes: Snow, Sport, Normal, and Econ. The updated Real Time AWD system could send up to 50% of engine torque to the rear wheels, and a new hill-descent control system was included. The CR-V Hybrid also featured a “B” shifter position for increased regenerative braking, improving fuel efficiency. The estimated fuel consumption was 6.0 L/100 km in the city, 6.9 on the highway, and 6.4 combined, offering a significant improvement over non-hybrid models.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 was designed with the driver in mind, featuring a tall centre console that separated the driver from the front passenger. The console housed intuitive button and dial controls, including a dial-based gear selector. The infotainment system was controlled by a raised dial, providing a more pleasant experience than the flat panel style in the GV80. Climate controls were configured under a single pane, offering haptic feedback for inputs. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available on higher trims. The rear passenger could adjust the front passenger seat for legroom, and a large panoramic sunroof added natural light. Cargo volume was 819 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,610 litres with the seats folded. The tonneau cover could be stowed under the rear load floor.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid’s larger exterior translated to more interior volume, with 1,028 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 2,030 litres with them folded. The Touring model featured a hands-free power tailgate, and wide-opening rear doors facilitated easy access. Rear seat legroom increased to 1,042 mm, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The reclining rear seats offered eight positions, and headroom measured 970 mm in both rows. The interior featured a cubby for two smartphones, eight cupholders, and a traditional console design providing best-in-class storage.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 excelled in technology, featuring a 14.5-inch high-definition LCD infotainment screen with high-resolution graphics. The system allowed for a split-screen layout, integrating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The premium Sport Plus grade included a 3D digital instrument cluster, enhancing the display with layered graphics. The Blind View Monitor system projected camera views onto the instrument cluster, and a fingerprint recognition system allowed keyless vehicle start. A nine-speaker audio system was standard, with an 18-speaker Lexicon surround sound system on top grades.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid catered to those who preferred physical buttons, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display featuring volume and tuning knobs. The EX-L and Hybrid Touring trims had a 9-inch touchscreen with a volume knob. The CR-V Hybrid was well-equipped, with USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control, and heated mirrors and seats. The Hybrid Touring trim included a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Sirius XM, HD radio, Wi-Fi capability, a wireless charging pad, and a 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system. The smart navigation system optimized fuel efficiency based on the route.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 included ten standard safety features, such as blind spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and forward collision avoidance assist. A new rear occupant alert system used radar to detect movement in the second row. The Highway Driving Assist system offered lane centring and automatic lane changing, though it required hands on the wheel. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a comprehensive suite of safety technologies, including adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Honda Sensing suite included improved collision mitigation, road-departure mitigation, and lane-keeping assist systems. New features for 2023 included traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, and low-speed braking control. The CR-V Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA, with new airbags, dashboard patches, and a stiffer structure enhancing safety.