2023 Genesis GV70 vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Passport shared a striking resemblance with the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, especially from the doors forward. This similarity was due to the shared vehicle platform with the Ridgeline, Odyssey minivan, and Pilot SUV. The Passport was essentially a shorter version of the Pilot, minus the third-row seat, and featured distinct styling. Honda's design updates aimed to give the Passport a more rugged appearance, particularly with the new TrailSport trim, which added off-road appeal through visual enhancements rather than actual capability. The TrailSport trim, positioned as the mid-level version, included unique 18-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, and simulated skid plates, contributing to its SUV-like look.

In contrast, the 2023 Genesis GV70 drew styling cues from the G70 compact luxury sedan, particularly above the belt-line. The GV70's design featured split-bar headlights and a chrome line that visually connected it to its sedan counterpart, creating a coupe-like SUV appearance without sacrificing versatility. Inside, the GV70's cabin exuded luxury with top-notch materials and a contemporary yet classic design. The dashboard featured a full touchscreen backed by a rotary dial and button controls, offering a user-friendly interface. The GV70's interior was a testament to Genesis's commitment to luxury, with features like a panoramic sunroof, Nappa leather seating, and a premium audio system available in higher trims.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The V6 engine was smooth and responsive, offering satisfying acceleration and a firm, communicative ride. The Passport's Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4) system provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing its handling on twisty roads. However, off-road performance was limited, with wheel articulation being a concern. The Passport excelled in everyday driving, offering athletic handling and a comfortable ride, though its brakes could become less confidence-inspiring on mountain descents.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered two powertrains: a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive. The GV70's performance was well-rounded, blending comfort and sharp handling. The Electrified GV70 featured dual electric motors with a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, offering smooth acceleration and a Boost Mode for extra power. The electric version had a range of 383 kilometres and supported fast charging, making it a practical choice for eco-conscious drivers.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered a spacious interior with large, comfortable seats and a low step-in height for easy access. The TrailSport trim included heated rear seats, while the Touring trim added ventilated front seats. The Passport's interior was roomy, with ample legroom and headroom for rear passengers, and a generous cargo space of 1,430 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 2,854 litres with the seats folded. The SUV's practicality was further enhanced by numerous storage compartments and a power liftgate.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 provided 1,611 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 818 litres with the seats in use, making it competitive in the compact luxury SUV segment. The GV70's interior featured a hands-free power liftgate, large cupholders, and a centre console with a retractable lid. While front-seat comfort was commendable, rear legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to adjust their seats for rear passenger comfort. The rear bench offered a reclining feature to enhance seating comfort.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added satellite radio, while the Touring trim featured a navigation system and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The system was functional but lacked advanced features, and the navigation system was clunky to use. Wireless smartphone charging was standard on all but the base Sport trim.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menu navigation. The GV70 also included four USB ports, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system. Available features included ambient lighting, a digital instrument panel, and a Lexicon 18-speaker audio system, enhancing the overall tech experience.

The 2022 Honda Passport came equipped with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. However, some features, like lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist, were less refined, prompting drivers to disable them. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision, which earned four stars. The IIHS rated it highly, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and highway driving assist. The 2.5T Advance Plus trim added a blind-spot camera system and a 360-degree parking camera system. The GV70 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, reflecting its strong safety credentials.