2023 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Honda Pilot

The 2023 Genesis GV70 was a striking blend of luxury and style, drawing inspiration from its sedan counterpart, the G70. Its design featured split-bar headlights and a distinctive chrome line that elegantly curved from behind the rear window, giving it a coupe-like appearance without sacrificing versatility. Inside, the GV70's cabin was a testament to Genesis's luxury credentials, boasting top-notch materials and a design that was both contemporary and classic. 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 harmonious blend of luxury and functionality, with features like heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a premium audio system available in higher trims.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Pilot underwent a complete redesign, emerging with a more rugged and substantial appearance. Its boxier styling and upright grille gave it a commanding presence, and it was larger than its predecessor. The Pilot's interior took a more conventional approach, focusing on functionality and versatility. It offered a spacious cabin with clever storage solutions, including a stowable second-row centre seat that provided a useful pass-through for third-row passengers. The Pilot's design emphasized practicality, with features like a large rubberized shelf for phones, a wireless charging pad, and a wide centre console bin. The Pilot's interior was designed to accommodate families, with ample space for passengers and cargo.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a choice between two powerful engines. The 2.5T model was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, the 3.5T model featured a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, providing a refined and well-rounded driving experience. The GV70's handling was a perfect balance between comfort and sportiness, making it a joy to drive in various conditions. The Electrified GV70, with its dual electric motors, offered 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a Boost Mode that temporarily increased output to 483 horsepower. It had a range of 383 kilometres and could be charged quickly with DC fast charging.

The 2023 Honda Pilot was powered by a new 3.5-litre V6 engine, generating 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Honda's i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system. The Pilot's acceleration was smooth and responsive, with a pleasant engine note. While it wasn't designed for sporty driving, it offered a comfortable and confident ride, with light steering that made it easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces. The Pilot TrailSport trim added off-road capabilities, with increased ground clearance and all-terrain tires. It had a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kg, making it a versatile choice for families seeking adventure.

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 a practical choice for a compact luxury SUV. It featured a hands-free power liftgate, large cupholders, and a centre console with a retractable lid. While the front seats were comfortable and easy to adjust, the rear seats had limited legroom, requiring front-row occupants to slide their seats forward for more space. The rear bench could recline for added comfort.

The 2023 Honda Pilot offered a more conventional interior design, with a focus on practicality and versatility. It featured a dash shelf for the front passenger, a seven-inch or nine-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a large rubberized shelf for phones. The Pilot's standout feature was its stowable second-row centre seat, which provided a pass-through for third-row passengers. The second row offered ample space for adults, while the third row was less inviting but suitable for short trips. The Pilot's cargo capacity was impressive, with up to 3,219 litres of space available with the seats folded. A power tailgate was standard, with hands-free operation on higher trims.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 came equipped with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It included four USB ports, wireless device charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menu navigation. The GV70 also offered a Lexicon 18-speaker audio system, ambient lighting, and a digital instrument panel.

The 2023 Honda Pilot's technology offerings varied by trim level. The EX-L trim and above featured a larger touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as a wireless phone charger. The Touring trim added USB ports in every row, a multi-view camera system, and a head-up display. The infotainment system was responsive and easy to use, with large on-screen buttons. The Pilot also included Honda's CabinTalk feature, which allowed the driver to communicate with rear-seat passengers through the audio system.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, 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.

The 2023 Honda Pilot also received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It came standard with Honda Sensing safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added front and rear parking sensors, as well as surround-view and multi-view camera systems. The Pilot's safety features were reliable and functioned as expected during testing.