2023 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Subaru Forester

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 strong chrome line that elegantly curved from behind the rear window, giving it a coupe-like SUV 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 that was superior to the touch capacitive controls found in some competitors.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, with a design that had remained consistent over the years. Its exterior, especially in Cascade Green Silica, was reminiscent of previous models, emphasizing practicality with features like robust roof rails. The Forester Premier trim added a touch of elegance with satin chrome exterior trim and 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Forester offered a traditional Subaru design with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. While hard plastics were abundant, they contributed to an easy-to-clean cabin. The Forester's interior was busy but functional, with a layout that relied on traditional buttons and knobs for ease of use.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered two powertrains: a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine delivering 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The GV70's performance was a balanced blend of power and comfort, with the turbo-four providing ample power for most situations and the V6 appealing to performance enthusiasts. The Electrified GV70 featured a 77.4-kWh battery powering two electric motors, producing a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a Boost Mode increasing output to 483 horsepower for short bursts. It offered a range of 383 kilometres and could fast charge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes.

The 2023 Subaru Forester was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine generating 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. The CVT mimicked a traditional automatic with eight programmed ratios, and the SI-Drive system offered a Sport mode for quicker responses. The Forester's X-Mode off-road traction control system, with hill descent control, was standard, and the Wilderness trim added all-terrain tires for enhanced off-road capability. The Forester excelled in challenging weather conditions, providing confidence and ease of handling. Its driving dynamics were impressive, with light and accurate steering, responsive brakes, and excellent suspension tuning, though the engine remained merely adequate.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 provided 1,611 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 818 litres with them in use, making it competitive in the compact luxury SUV segment. It featured a hands-free power liftgate, large cupholders, and a centre console with a retractable lid. While front-seat comfort was easily adjustable, rear legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to adjust their seats for more space.

The 2023 Subaru Forester emphasized practicality, with features like a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats available from the Touring trim. Higher trims offered StarTex artificial leather or perforated genuine leather, dual-zone climate control, and heated rear seats. The Forester's visibility was excellent, thanks to its high seating position and large windows. However, the panoramic sunroof's lack of tinting could lead to excessive solar heating. The Forester's cargo area was spacious, with 762 litres behind the rear seats and 1,957 litres with them folded, offering ample storage options.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It included four USB ports, wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system. Available features included ambient lighting, a digital instrument panel, and an 18-speaker Lexicon audio system. The rotary dial for infotainment controls was located near the vehicle's rotary shifter, which could lead to confusion.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's technology appeared outdated at first glance, but its user-friendly interface was a highlight. The Base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a CD player. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available. The Forester's older Starlink infotainment system was preferred for its physical controls, though the voice-recognition system was lacking. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were recommended for navigation and connectivity.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 came 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 Advanced Plus trim added a blind-spot camera and a 360-degree parking camera. The Electrified GV70 included much of this equipment as standard. The GV70 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight system with updated software and cameras for improved performance. Adaptive cruise control was standard, and higher trims added Automatic Emergency Steering. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all but the Base trim. The Forester's safety systems performed well, though the Rear Automatic Braking system could be overly sensitive. The Forester received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA.