2023 Mazda CX-5 vs 2023 Genesis GV70

The 2023 Genesis GV70 was a striking blend of luxury and style, drawing clear design inspiration from its sedan sibling, the G70. Its exterior 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 practicality. Inside, the GV70's cabin was a testament to Genesis's luxury credentials, boasting top-notch materials and an impeccable fit and finish. The interior design was both contemporary and classic, with climate controls integrated into a curving bezel and a touchscreen that seamlessly rose from the dash. The GV70's dash was equipped with a full touchscreen, complemented by a rotary dial and button controls on the centre console, offering a user-friendly interface that outshone the touch capacitive controls found in some competitors.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, remained a stylish and high-quality choice in the compact crossover SUV segment. It exuded a sense of luxury, with high-quality materials and a design that felt more upscale than its mass-market competitors. The CX-5's available turbocharged engine provided impressive power, and it boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. However, the CX-5's small back seat, cramped cargo area, and frustrating infotainment system were notable drawbacks. Mazda's decision to transition from the CX-5 to the CX-50 was a strategic move, aiming to direct loyal customers to the new model while maintaining the CX-5's reputation for quality and refinement.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a choice between two powerful engines. The 2.5T model featured a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, while the 3.5T variant boasted a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, providing a balanced blend of power and handling. The GV70's performance was refined, offering a smooth ride that absorbed road imperfections while maintaining sharp handling. The Electrified GV70, with its 77.4-kWh battery and dual electric motors, produced 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a Boost Mode that temporarily increased output to 483 horsepower. It offered a range of 383 kilometres and featured DC fast charging capabilities.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, on the other hand, came with a standard Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The CX-5 2.5 Turbo variant offered a more enticing option, with a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine delivering up to 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. The CX-5's performance was enhanced by structural and suspension improvements, providing a more solid and responsive driving experience. The turbocharged engine offered a satisfying surge of power, though it required premium fuel for optimal performance. The CX-5 excelled on winding roads, offering a firm and connected ride, though it could feel choppy on rough surfaces.

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 featured a hands-free power liftgate and a well-designed interior with ample front-seat comfort. However, rear-seat legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to adjust their seats for rear passenger comfort. The GV70's interior included practical storage solutions, such as large cupholders and a centre console tray with a retractable lid.

In comparison, the 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered 871 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,680 litres with the seats folded, which was less than some mainstream rivals but more than several entry-luxury models. The CX-5's front seats were improved for comfort and support, with power adjustments available on higher trims. However, the CX-5's interior technology and storage space were lacking. The infotainment system was frustrating to use, and the rear-seat head and legroom were cramped. Despite these shortcomings, the CX-5's interior materials were of high quality, and the Signature trim featured luxurious Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 came equipped with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menu navigation. Genesis also provided a rotary dial and helpful buttons for additional control, though the proximity of the rotary dial to the vehicle's shifter could lead to confusion. The GV70 featured four USB ports, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system, with options for ambient lighting, a digital instrument panel, and a premium Lexicon audio system.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system was a source of frustration. While the 10.25-inch display featured sophisticated graphics and a logical menu structure, the lack of a helpful voice recognition system and awkward physical controls made it challenging to use. The system required memorization and conscious thought to operate, detracting from the driving experience. Despite these issues, Mazda Connect offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a free trial of Mazda Connected Services. Upper trims included a 10-speaker Bose audio system and a surround-view camera system for added convenience.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The GV70 also featured highway driving assist with lane-keeping assist, and higher trims offered additional safety technologies such as a blind-spot camera system and reverse automatic emergency braking. The Genesis Electrified GV70 included much of this equipment as standard. The GV70 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety performance.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, offering a wide range of driver assistance technologies under the i-Activsense banner. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The CX-5's safety systems operated smoothly and accurately, with higher trims offering additional features such as a surround-view camera system and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5 also included an E911 system for automatic collision notification. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick ranking from the IIHS, demonstrating its strong safety credentials.