2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Genesis GV70 stood out with its distinctive styling, diverging notably 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 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, 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 was designed with an elliptical theme, inspired by airplane wings. The Sport trims offered genuine carbon fibre inserts, while quilted leather seats adorned the premium grades. Although some plastic elements were present, the overall interior quality was high. The GV70's interior was both stylish and functional, with a focus on driver-centric ergonomics and a variety of unique upholstery configurations.

The 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift, featuring a redesigned front end with new LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark grey cladding. The Outback's aggressive appearance was further enhanced by a simulated skid plate, fog lights, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim. The Onyx Edition, with black wheels and trim, complemented the bold cladding. The Outback was available in seven trims, with the Onyx Edition priced at $38,695 in Canada.

The Outback's interior was praised for its comfort and practicality. The Limited trim offered premium Nappa leather upholstery, a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. Heated front and rear seats, along with a heated steering wheel, ensured comfort in cold climates. The Outback's spacious cabin accommodated four adults comfortably, with ample legroom and storage options. The vehicle's high ground clearance and easy entry and exit made it a practical choice for families and adventurers alike.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options, with the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 producing 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. This engine positioned the GV70 against mid-level performance competitors like the BMW X3 M40i and Audi SQ5. The GV70's fuel consumption was estimated at 11.6 L/100 km combined, but real-world testing showed slightly better efficiency. 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 included Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, with terrain modes for mud, sand, and snow. Sport+ mode delivered aggressive throttle response and partial traction control disabling, while Sport mode offered improved responsiveness. The electronically controlled suspension system provided a balance between comfort and road feedback, and the GV70's tight turning radius was advantageous in urban settings.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured a standard 2.5-litre flat-four engine with 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. While the engine provided adequate power for city driving, it struggled with passing and climbing. The Outback's fuel consumption was higher than expected, with real-world figures at 9.2 L/100 km. The Outback XT models offered a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing better performance but at a higher cost and reduced fuel efficiency.

The Outback's CVT mimicked an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters for manual control. The Active Torque Split AWD system varied power distribution between the front and rear axles, while the X-Mode traction system optimized performance on challenging terrain. The Outback excelled off-road, handling mud and snow with ease. In urban environments, its visibility and compact size made parking and navigation straightforward. However, the standard engine's lack of power was a drawback, especially at higher elevations.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 prioritized driver-centric design, with a tall centre console and intuitive controls within easy reach. The infotainment system's raised dial was user-friendly, and the climate controls provided haptic feedback. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with ventilated front and rear seats available on higher trims. 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 2023 Subaru Outback emphasized utility, with a robust roof rack and practical interior features. The Limited trim offered power-adjustable front seats, premium Nappa leather upholstery, and heated seats throughout. The Outback's spacious cabin accommodated four adults comfortably, with ample legroom and storage options. The vehicle's high ground clearance and easy entry and exit made it a practical choice for families and adventurers alike. The Outback's cargo space measured 923 litres behind the back seat, expanding to 2,141 litres with the seats folded. The flat door sills served as steps for accessing the roof rack, enhancing the vehicle's practicality.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch high-definition LCD infotainment screen with split-screen capability, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The premium Sport Plus grade included 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's technology offerings were impressive, though the infotainment system's response time was slower than average.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, featured an 11.6-inch Starlink touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included physical controls for volume, tuning, and climate settings, while other functions were embedded in the touchscreen. The Outback offered a navigation system and a Harman Kardon premium audio system on higher trims. The voice recognition system was limited, but the wireless smartphone connectivity was a welcome addition. Additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came equipped with ten standard safety features, including blind spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision avoidance assist. The Highway Driving Assist system offered lane centring and automatic lane changing functions, though it required hands-on operation. A new rear occupant alert system used radar to detect movement in the second row. As of publication, safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the GV70.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured the EyeSight safety suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The system added new pedestrian, cyclist, and automatic steering functions, earning top marks from the IIHS. The Outback's adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems were less impressive, with artificial steering feel. The rear automatic braking system was incompatible with some driveways, requiring manual deactivation.