2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Genesis GV70

The 2023 Genesis GV70 was a testament to the brand's commitment to luxury and style. Its design drew inspiration from the G70 compact luxury sedan, with split-bar headlights and a distinctive chrome line that elegantly curved from behind the rear window. This design element cleverly suggested a coupe-like SUV without sacrificing versatility. Inside, the GV70's cabin was a showcase of luxury, featuring 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 featured a full touchscreen, complemented by a rotary dial and button controls on the centre console, offering a user-friendly experience.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner was a throwback to an earlier era of SUV design. Its boxy shape and flared fenders gave it a rugged and stable appearance, ideal for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model, with its underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires, exuded a serious off-road attitude. However, the interior showed its age, with old-school styling and outdated technology. The analog instrument panel and small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen were reminders of its past, while the hard plastic surfaces and vinyl-like upholstery were typical of off-road vehicles. Despite its dated design, the 4Runner offered excellent outward visibility and a practical layout for off-road enthusiasts.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a choice between two powerful engines. The 2.5T model featured a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, while the 3.5T model boasted a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine with 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, delivering a refined and well-rounded driving experience. The GV70's handling was a perfect blend of comfort and sharpness, making it a joy to drive in various conditions. The Electrified GV70, with its 77.4-kWh battery and 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.

In comparison, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. While these figures were competitive with the Bronco and Wrangler, the 4Runner's five-speed automatic transmission limited its performance. The TRD Pro model came with standard four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, making it capable off-road. However, on pavement, the 4Runner felt sluggish, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration and a noisy engine. The soft suspension, while great for off-road articulation, resulted in body roll and floatiness on highways. Despite these drawbacks, the 4Runner remained composed under hard braking and offered a comfortable ride over larger road imperfections.

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 storage options. While the front seats were comfortable and adjustable, rear legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to adjust their seats for rear passenger comfort.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner, on the other hand, offered a more spacious interior with 1,337 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 2,540 litres with the seats stowed. The 4Runner's interior design was straightforward, with large climate-control dials and sturdy handles for off-road stability. While the front seats provided ample space, the rear seats offered generous legroom but limited headroom for taller passengers. The 4Runner's cargo area featured a sliding deck option and a flat load floor, making it practical for outdoor adventures. However, it lacked remote seat releases and a powered liftgate, though it did include a sliding glass rear window and a hitch receiver for towing.

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 offered four USB ports, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and an available Lexicon 18-speaker audio system. However, the proximity of the rotary dial to the vehicle's rotary shifter could lead to confusion.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner featured a basic eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While it lacked off-road-specific apps and gauges, the TRD Pro model included a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system. The 4Runner's infotainment system was functional but challenging to use while driving. Additional terrain controls were located in the headliner console, with Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select systems for off-road adventures.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and highway driving assist. The GV70 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, highlighting its commitment to safety.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from the NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection. The IIHS gave it "Good" ratings for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests but noted "Marginal" and "Poor" results in newer small overlap frontal tests. The 4Runner included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning, though its alerts were sometimes oversensitive.