2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2023 Genesis GV80

The 2023 Genesis GV80 presented a sophisticated and graceful exterior, characterized by its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille. This midsize SUV, nearly 5 metres in length, exuded a stately presence. In Canada, the standard 20-inch wheels were upgraded to 22-inch alloy wheels in the Prestige trim. The rear design mirrored the front with four-part taillamps above dual exhausts. Despite its boxy hands-free liftgate, the GV80 maintained an elegant appearance, especially in the matte Brunswick Green paint. Inside, the dark green quilted leather seats complemented the metal and matte wood trim. The dashboard featured thin horizontal air vents, and the centre console was highlighted by three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes. The two-spoke steering wheel added a unique touch, though the 14.5-inch infotainment screen seemed awkwardly placed atop the dash. Despite this minor quibble, the interior was spacious and luxurious, offering a pleasant environment.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4, available in four trim levels in Canada, offered a range of options from the RAV4 LE to the RAV4 Limited. The design remained consistent with the 2019 model, particularly in the Trail trim, which featured a two-part face, blacked-out wheels, and a faux skid plate. The Trail trim also included orange interior accents, with seats featuring a central stripe and contrast stitching. The RAV4's interior, while basic, included a frameless rearview mirror for a touch of premium feel. The LE and XLE trims offered fabric upholstery and standard heated front seats, with the XLE Premium package upgrading to synthetic leather. The Limited trim provided heated and ventilated power-adjustable seats with memory settings. The RAV4's interior space was practical, with convenient storage options and a rugged lever-style gear shifter. Cargo space was competitive, offering 1,059 litres behind the second row and 1,977 litres with the seats folded.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came standard with all-wheel drive and offered two engine choices: a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 delivering 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. While the GV80 was not particularly athletic or nimble, it excelled in highway driving with smooth power delivery and shifts. The electronically controlled suspension, combined with active noise cancellation, provided a quiet and comfortable ride. However, its acceleration to 100 km/h in about five and a half seconds was slower compared to some competitors.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4, with all-wheel drive now standard, featured a single engine choice for its gas-powered models: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which, while preferable to a CVT, did not enhance acceleration. The RAV4's performance was more "unobjectionable" than "exciting," and the engine noise was noticeable. The Trail trim, with its 19-inch wheels and all-season tires, shared the same suspension setup as other RAV4 models, offering a comfortable ride but lacking in sporty dynamics.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 compensated for its lack of driving excitement with a host of luxury features. In Canada, it came standard with heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated outboard mirrors. The Nappa leather seats were sumptuous, and the Ergo driver's seat offered fatigue-reducing adjustments. While a third row was available, its limited legroom made it suitable only for children. The GV80 featured Genesis puddle lamps, a proximity key, and a digital key option. The tri-zone climate control system and 21-speaker Lexicon sound system enhanced comfort and entertainment. The GV80 boasted one of the largest cargo spaces in its class, with 988 litres behind the second row and 2,378 litres with the seats folded. Its towing capacity was a robust 2,720 kilograms.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4, designed to seat five, offered 958 millimetres of front headroom and 1,001 mm in the rear with the moonroof. Front legroom measured 1,039 mm, while the second row offered 960 mm, making it competitive in its segment. The RAV4 provided practical storage options, including a shelf above the glove compartment and large door pockets. The cargo space was generous, with 1,059 litres behind the second row and 1,977 litres with the seats folded. While not class-leading, it was competitive, especially compared to the Mazda CX-5.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen for its infotainment system, complemented by a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. While the 3D effects were somewhat gimmicky, the head-up display projected information into the driver's field of view. The infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, and the dial control, though tactile, was cumbersome. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but neither was wireless. The GV80 included wireless charging, four USB ports, a 12-volt outlet, and a 110-volt outlet. The remote smart parking assist allowed the vehicle to park itself without the driver inside, a standout feature.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard, upgraded to a 10.5-inch screen in the Limited trim. The system supported over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Toyota's connected services, including Safety Connect and Drive Connect, were available, some requiring a subscription. The Limited trim featured an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system, while the Trail trim retained the base six-speaker stereo. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version in the Limited trim. Both the Trail and Limited trims included a wireless charging pad.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard advanced driver aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Blind-Spot View Monitor system displayed a video feed of the blind spot in the digital gauge cluster. Highway Drive Assist used cameras, radar, and navigation to provide a hands-on driving aid, though it struggled in bright sunlight. The GV80 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating for crashworthiness from the IIHS, with Superior front crash prevention.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 featured standard safety equipment, including lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The TSS 2.5 suite included Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The RAV4 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with top scores in crash-testing and improved ratings in updated tests.