2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2023 Genesis GV70

The 2023 Genesis GV70 was a testament to the brand's commitment to luxury and style, drawing clear design parallels with the G70 compact luxury sedan. Its exterior featured split-bar headlights and a distinctive 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 showcase of luxury, with top-notch materials and impeccable fit and finish. The design was a harmonious blend of contemporary and classic elements, with climate controls integrated into a curving bezel and a touchscreen that seamlessly rose from the dash. The GV70's dash featured a full touchscreen complemented by a rotary dial and button controls, offering a tactile experience superior to the touch capacitive controls found in some competitors.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 was a bold step forward for the brand, elevating its design and material quality to rival luxury competitors. The CX-90's exterior was an imposing presence, with a large grille, wide-set front end, and wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches. Inside, the top-tier models boasted interiors that could compete with luxury brands, featuring brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte black plastic accents. The CX-90 offered a range of trims and seating configurations, with the Turbo S models providing a two-seat configuration in the third row. Despite its size, the CX-90 maintained a delicate design language and comfortable layout, making it a compelling choice for those seeking luxury without the premium price tag.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a choice between two gas-powered engines and an electrified variant. The 2.5T model featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, while the 3.5T model boasted a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter 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 Electrified used a 77.4-kWh battery pack powering two electric motors, delivering a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a Boost Mode increasing output to 483 horsepower for short bursts. The electric GV70 had a range of 236 miles and featured DC fast charging capabilities.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. The base turbo I6 delivered 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, while the Turbo S variant increased output to 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. All CX-90 models came with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The PHEV model combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a 17.8-kWh battery and a 68-kW electric motor, producing 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The PHEV offered an all-electric range of 26 miles and an estimated 56 MPGe in combined driving. Both CX-90 models excelled in handling, with a double-wishbone front suspension and agile cornering capabilities.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 provided 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 28.9 cubic feet 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 large cupholders and a center console tray. While front-seat comfort was commendable, rear-seat legroom was tighter, requiring adjustments for taller passengers.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered a variety of seating configurations, with the ability to seat up to eight passengers in lower trims and six in higher trims. Cargo space varied depending on the seating arrangement, with a maximum of 75.2 cubic feet available in models with a two-seat third row. The CX-90's interior featured ample storage options, including a large center console, spacious door pockets, and well-placed cupholders. Despite its size, the CX-90's interior was comfortable and well-appointed, with high-quality materials and a panoramic sunroof enhancing the overall experience.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 came equipped with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring 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. Ambient lighting, a digital instrument panel, and the Genesis digital key were available as additional features.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 focused on minimizing distractions with its Mazda Connect infotainment system, which used a rotary control knob and hard buttons instead of a touchscreen. While the intention was to enhance safety, the system's quirks could be frustrating. However, the CX-90 offered personalization software with facial recognition to adjust settings automatically. Standard features included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with wireless functionality in higher trims. The rotary controller worked with these systems, but touchscreen controls were available for added convenience.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features like a blind-spot camera system and reverse automatic emergency braking were available in higher trims. The Electrified GV70 included most of these features as standard, with the head-up display available in the Prestige trim.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 came standard with i-Activsense, Mazda's suite of advanced driver assistance systems. This included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus model featured cruising and traffic support, combining lane-centering with adaptive cruise control. While crash test ratings were not yet available, the CX-90 was expected to perform well based on the safety record of its predecessor, the CX-9.