2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2022 Genesis GV70

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 two-line lighting signature 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 aligning with the Genesis crest-shaped logo, and dark chrome finishes that emphasized its 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 most surfaces were of high quality, some plastic elements imitated chrome or metal. Overall, the GV70’s interior was a blend of luxury and sportiness, with a focus on unique design elements.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4, in its gas-powered form, offered four trim levels in Canada, ranging from the RAV4 LE to the RAV4 Limited. The design remained consistent with the 2019 model, particularly in the Trail trim, which featured a two-part face, blacked-out wheels, and a faux skid plate. The Trail trim also added orange accents to the interior, with seats featuring a stripe and contrast stitching. The RAV4’s interior was practical, with a frameless rearview mirror adding a touch of premium feel. The LE and XLE trims had fabric upholstery, while the XLE Premium package upgraded to synthetic leather. The Limited trim offered heated and ventilated power-adjustable seats with memory settings.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options. The 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder produced 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, while the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 delivered 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The GV70’s AWD system prioritized the rear axle, transferring up to 50% of torque to the front wheels when needed. 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 featured Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes, with Sport+ offering aggressive throttle response and partial traction control disabling. The electronically controlled suspension system used a forward camera to detect road changes, balancing comfort and feedback.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 had a single engine choice for its gas-powered models, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the RAV4’s performance was more unobjectionable than exciting. The AWD system was standard across all trims, including a Snow drive mode. The RAV4 Trail featured 19-inch wheels with all-season tires and shared the same suspension setup as other RAV4s. While the RAV4’s engine lacked pep, it compensated with a rugged design and practical features.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 prioritized the driver with a tall centre console and intuitive controls. The climate controls were configured under a single pane, providing haptic feedback. 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 panoramic sunroof added natural light. Cargo volume was 819 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,610 litres with the seats folded. The GV70’s ergonomics and functionality were above average, despite some less intuitive steering wheel functions.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 seated five, offering 958 mm of front headroom and 1,001 mm in the rear. Legroom measured 1,039 mm in the front and 960 mm in the second row. The RAV4 provided ample storage, with a shelf above the glove compartment and large door pockets. Cargo space was 1,059 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,977 litres with the seats folded. The RAV4’s storage capacity was competitive, though not class-leading.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch high-definition LCD infotainment screen with split-screen capability. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, though not wirelessly. The premium Sport Plus grade offered 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 on top grades. The GV70’s technology offerings were impressive, though the infotainment system was slower to respond.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, upgraded to a 10.5-inch screen in the Limited trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with voice command and connected services. The Limited trim featured an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system. The RAV4’s technology was modernized, with OTA updates and improved connectivity.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 included ten standard safety features, such as blind spot collision avoidance assist, lane departure warning, and forward collision avoidance assist. The Highway Driving Assist system offered lane centring and automatic lane changing, though it required hands on the wheel. 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 2023 Toyota RAV4 came with standard safety features like lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The TSS 2.5 suite included Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The RAV4 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with top scores in crash-testing.