2023 Genesis GV70 vs 2022 Kia Sorento

The 2022 Kia Sorento, particularly in the X-Line trim, presented a stylish and rugged appearance. This midsize SUV was enhanced with rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black lower body cladding, and robust roof rails, which added a sense of purpose to its already attractive design. In the U.S., the X-Line was a package applied to the top trim, while in Canada, it was a standalone mid-grade package. All-wheel drive was standard across all Sorento models in Canada, including the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. The pricing for the gas-only powertrain ranged from $34,595 to $48,085, with the hybrid starting at $36,695 and the plug-in hybrid at $44,995, excluding a $1,900 destination charge.

Inside, the Sorento exuded quality with leather upholstery and simulated wood trim on the dashboard. The cabin reflected rock-solid construction, with nothing appearing flimsy. Kia's attention to design detail was evident even in the most affordable LX+ model. The Sorento's interior style and traditional cable-operated transmission shifter did not compromise practical storage space. Buyers of the Sorento likely felt they received excellent value, even at the sticker price.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 shared styling cues with the G70 compact luxury sedan, particularly above the belt-line. The split-bar headlights and strong chrome line visually connected the GV70 to its sedan counterpart, creating a coupe-like SUV appearance without sacrificing versatility. The GV70's cabin was a testament to luxury, featuring top-notch materials and excellent fit and finish. The design was both contemporary and classic, with climate controls integrated into a curving bezel and a touchscreen that rose organically from the dash.

The GV70's dash featured a full touchscreen backed by a rotary dial and button controls in the centre console. While it lacked traditional volume and tuning dials, it offered helpful rollers on the centre console and steering wheel. In Canada, the GV70 was available in five trims with two powertrains: the 2.5T and 3.5T. The Electrified GV70 was offered as a separate model. The base 2.5T Advanced trim was well-equipped, while higher trims added features like a Lexicon premium audio system, head-up display, and Nappa leather seating. The Electrified GV70 impressed with its luxury credentials, featuring cream-coloured seats with quilt stitching and a high-contrast design.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's standard engine was a 191-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder, which took nearly 9.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. This sluggish performance led to recommendations for the Sorento's other engine options, including a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder, a turbocharged hybrid powertrain, and a turbocharged plug-in hybrid powertrain. The turbo 2.5-litre engine generated 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, offering a more satisfying driving experience. The turbo engine was paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, allowing the Sorento to reach 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds. The Sorento's suspension provided a blend of compliance and composure, making it feel more like a sports sedan than an SUV. Fuel consumption was higher than expected, averaging 11.5 L/100 km during testing.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 2.5T featured a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The 3.5T was powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive. The GV70 offered a refined driving experience, blending comfort and sharp handling. The Electrified GV70 used a 77.4-kWh battery pack with dual electric motors, producing 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. A Boost Mode increased output to 483 horsepower for short bursts. The electric GV70 had a range of 383 kilometres and could charge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes on a fast charger. The GV70's handling was well-rounded, leaning slightly towards comfort.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's interior felt luxurious, with appealing Burgundy leather. Both front seats were heated and ventilated, with a heated steering wheel standard on all but the base LX+ grade. Second-row captain's chairs were standard from the EX trim and heated in the EX+ and SX. The third-row seat was less comfortable, with limited legroom and head restraints flush against the rear window. Cargo space was 357 litres with all seats in use, expanding to 1,274 litres with the third row folded and 2,139 litres with the second row down. The Sorento featured a "smart" power tailgate for easier loading.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered 1,611 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 818 litres with them in use. The GV70 came with a hands-free power liftgate. The front seats were comfortable, with large cupholders in the centre console and a helpful tray with a retractable lid. Rear legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to slide their seats forward. The rear bench reclined for added comfort.

The 2022 Kia Sorento featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on lower trims, while higher trims had a 10.25-inch display with navigation, satellite radio, Kia Connect services, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was intuitive, though the font style and graphics might not appeal to everyone. The Sorento SX had a 12-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system, and a wireless phone charger was standard from the LX Premium trim.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 came with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menu navigation. The GV70 also had a rotary dial for scrolling and selecting, though it was located near the rotary shifter, which could cause confusion. The GV70 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, a Lexicon 18-speaker audio system, and the Genesis digital key.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system, Junction Assist, and a Blind View Monitor system. Highway Driving Assist provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The Sorento received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with a four-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and highway driving assist. The 2.5T Advance Plus added a blind-spot camera system and a 360-degree parking camera system. The GV70 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.