2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Mazda CX-5

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, continued to be a strong contender in the compact crossover SUV market. It was praised for its stylish design and high-quality materials, which gave it the appearance and feel of a small luxury SUV. The available turbocharged engine provided impressive power, and the model boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, the CX-5 had its drawbacks, including a small back seat, cramped cargo area, and a frustrating infotainment system. Mazda's decision to eventually phase out the CX-5 in favour of the CX-50 was part of a broader marketing strategy, similar to Infiniti's renaming of the G37 to the Q50 and Q60. Despite these changes, the CX-5 remained a vehicle that exuded quality, refinement, and sophistication across its lineup.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 stood out in the Genesis lineup and among its competitors. It retained certain Genesis styling features for brand recognition, such as split headlights and a large grille, but was sleeker than its larger sibling, the GV80. The GV70's design included standout details like a hatchback-like rear window profile and distinctive wheel designs. It struck a balance between SUV size and luxury-car style, offering a more refined appearance than competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. The Electrified GV70, named the 2024 Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year, maintained the same styling as its gasoline counterpart, with a unique grille housing the charge port. The interior was distinctive, featuring quilted Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and unique design elements like an elliptical pod for climate controls and a rotary infotainment controller.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base model featured a Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). It had a fuel economy rating of 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The more enticing option was the 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. This engine also used the six-speed automatic and AWD, with a fuel economy of 9.8 L/100 km. The turbo engine's power increase was complemented by structural and suspension improvements, enhancing the CX-5's driving dynamics. The turbocharged engine provided a satisfying rush of acceleration, although it required a moment to build torque. The CX-5 excelled on winding roads, offering a firm, connected ride with responsive steering and brakes.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 retained its powertrain options, with a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. A 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 was also available, delivering 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors, producing a combined 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a "Boost Mode" providing 483 hp for short bursts. While the GV70 offered strong straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning didn't match the sportiness of rivals like the Acura RDX or BMW X3. The suspension was reasonably comfortable but tended to crash over bumps. The Electrified GV70 maintained similar handling characteristics despite its additional weight. It featured steering-wheel paddles for adjusting regenerative braking, allowing for one-pedal driving.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 received updates for improved comfort, including modified front seats. It offered a height-adjustable driver's seat across all trims, with power adjustments, heated and ventilated seats, and dual-zone climate control available on higher trims. The Signature trim featured Nappa leather upholstery. However, the CX-5's interior had limitations, including small storage areas, cramped rear-seat space, and limited cargo capacity. It provided 871 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,680 litres with the seats folded, less than some rivals but more than entry-luxury models. The infotainment system lacked a conversational voice recognition system, relying on physical controls that could be distracting.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom than some rivals but more front-seat legroom than the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. It had 818 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up, better than the Mercedes but less than the Audi Q5. Folding the seats provided 1,611 litres of space. The Electrified GV70's interior space was minimally affected by the battery pack. The GV70's stylish interior design included an orb-like infotainment controller and rotary shifter, but limited small-item storage. The Electrified GV70 featured automatic side bolsters for the front seats, enhancing support during spirited driving.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics but was frustrating to use. It lacked a helpful voice recognition system, and the physical controls required memorization and focus, making them distracting. The control knob often required multiple twists and pushes to execute commands, diverting attention from the road. The system's user experience was inconsistent, with issues like defaulting to the bottom of the SiriusXM channel list. Despite these challenges, Mazda Connect offered features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services. Upper trims included a Bose audio system and a surround-view camera system.

The 2024 Genesis GV70's infotainment system, borrowed from Hyundai, was simpler than those in the BMW X3 or Mercedes-Benz GLC. It featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Lower trims had an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, while higher grades offered a 12.3-inch unit with a 3D effect. A 12-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Lexicon audio system were available. The touchscreen had an intuitive layout, and a rotary controller on the centre console provided an alternative control method. Genesis included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles, although digital key functionality was not available on the GV70 in Canada.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, offering a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features under the i-Activsense banner. Most features were standard, with a few exclusive to the 2.5 Turbo Signature trim, including a surround-view camera system and Traffic Jam Assist. The i-Activsense tech operated smoothly, with features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick ranking from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, it lacked a warning for driving without headlights at night, a common issue.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and Electrified models. NHTSA ratings for the 2024 model were incomplete, but the 2023 GV70 received a five-star overall safety rating. All GV70 models came with standard safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and Highway Driving Assist. The latter combined adaptive cruise control with lane centring for highway driving. A more advanced Highway Driving Assist 2 system was available, adding automated lane-change capability. Genesis also offered features like safe exit assist and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.